What's your take on extra credit?
I use extra credit to get students to do things that I want them to do. For example, I like discussion assignments (I teach online) posted by Wednesday, but our school has a standard requirement that discussions are due on Thursday. I give students 1 point of extra credit for posting by Wednesday and 2 points for posting by Tuesday. The maximum a student can get in a 12 week quarter is 24 points, which will not change their grades unless they are really teetering on the edge of the next grade. Most students will go for the extra point, though, and I think the earlier postings yield more discussion activity.
I do not let students do extra credit at the end of the quarter to bring up a low grade. I don't like to see extra credit as a substitute for learning the required material in a course.
Michael,
I agree about extra credit. It needs to be handled carefully or it can quickly become an alternate way to gain a better grade without really acquiring the needed content.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Hi Gary,
Extra credit can be useful, but it needs to be used under special circumstances. It can be used to help motivate students to take the ideas presented in class beyond the required assignments, provided the original work has been completed.
Michael
I agree. However, extra credit should be distributed carefully. If students do something they are assigned to do, then they shouldn't receive extra credit. But, as you said, if it is something in addition to the course work, if it is actually going to improve their knowledge or skills, then extra credit is good.
I think extra credit should be available to students. Students who already do well in class may take this opportunity to learn something new, and those who do poorly may have a chance to improve their grade.
I feel that extra credit gives the student a feeling that it’s ok to fail or get a low grade on one or so assignments I could just make up on extra credit. I find it not to be very helpful.
Hi Rich,
Good points about extra credit. One way I let students earn extra credit on tests is to ask them to share something with me that they had studied but I did not ask on the test or something they learned that was not being tested that they want to share with me that they learned. The students give me really good responses and they really like sharing something they have learned or studied. It is their way of showing off a little bit and getting credit for it.
Gary
I've read the various approaches to extra credit in this post and this one seems to make the most sense to me. It's true that often the best students are the ones taking on extra credit assignments and the students who are not putting much effort into the class, rarely attempt extra credit options - unless they are critically close to failing. One or two extra credit questions on exams throughout the course seems equitable to all students and will not really make up for non-participation or lack of subject knowledge.
Hi Patricia,
Good point. Extra credit should be used in a way that is helpful for students and is manageable by the instructor. Your method of using extra credit to get projects in on time is an example of that strategy.
Gary
Although I understand what you are saying here, for most situations, extra credit is usually added to total points and does bring up their scores.
I try to use extra credit to get their major projects in on time. So much like the discussion group extra points, I am trying to move them along in the direction of completing the expectations of the course. PAP
Hi Dennis,
Good way to show support for your students. If they take advantage of the tutoring then they will be able to succeed in the class and not need the extra credit as part of their grade.
Gary
I feel extra credit should not be given to a student when we can offer them the option of tutoring several days a week if he or she is interested in learning a task.
Hi Crystal,
Thank you for these most kind words. It is pleasing to hear that our efforts have been beneficial to your professional development.
Gary
This is such an interesting topic, and I have found myself going back and forth on it. Thanks for all the ideas. I agree that it is often the most successful students that take advantage of it,so it seems to fill a need for students who wish to delve deeper into the material and subject matter we are covering.
I have found that when I haven't set my extra- credit projects up correctly I really compromised the validity of the student's final course grade. Over the years I have learned to be pretty conservative(a word I rarely use in reference to myself) with extra credit.
Crystal
Good Morning Jessica,
Like you, I have observed that the serious students will take advantage of the extra credit option. I use it when I have a class that really is on-the-ball, and they just keep wanting more.
I usually only have it worth a few points. I have found that the students have fun with the extra work, and it seems to help motivate them. I'm always for something that gets the class excited about their learning!
Hi Shantana,
This is a great way to get your students out into the community and becoming active. Plus, they get to see the real world in action.
Gary
I think extra credit is a great way to get students active in the learning process. In some cases it can get them out of their box or comfort zone which is good. I have given extra points for attendance to Business chamber meetings and board meetings. The students have came back and were more impressed and informed about what they saw and really did not mention the extra credit part. Also some students have became active in these business groups.
Hi Thomas,
Exactly! That to me is what extra credit really stands for. It is not to fix something that the student did not do when it was required.
Gary
I agree that extra credit is given too often to studnets who become accustomed to asking for it. I think it should be given when students request to learn more about a subject or when they have completed an especially hard assignment ahead of deadline.
Hi Amy,
Good point about extra credit. I view extra credit like you, a supplement to assist students not a replacement for work not done or missed classes.
Gary
