Extra Credit Work
Is it a good idea to reward students with extra credit points to make up for points lost due to late assignments? Isn't this rewarding irresponsible behavior? Many schools do not allow extra credit work for just this reason.
Although a fairly new instructor, I already agree with the No extra credit "stance". If the student didnt take the time to do the assignment, study for the test etc the first time around, they are not "entitled" to extra credit. Its not fair to the majority of students that did complete their assignments and did well. I do however, on the first day of class ask students( not required)to bring in and present a current event relative to subject.. and will give points for that. ( class particpation)
Although a fairly new instructor, I already agree with the No extra credit "stance". If the student didnt take the time to do the assignment, study for the test etc the first time around, they are not "entitled" to extra credit. Its not fair to the majority of students that did complete their assignments and did well. I do however, on the first day of class ask students( not required)to bring in and present a current event relative to subject.. and will give points for that. ( class particpation)
I, too am ambivalent about 'extra credit'--just complete the assigned work in the amount of time given.
Hi Kenya,
I understand your perspective, however, I do not believe in extra credit.
Patricia
Hi Micheal and Patricia,
I think extra credit has it place depending on the students situation and the program. I understand that students do need to be accountable for their actions and their work, because no one in the workforce will hold their hand but I would give extra credit for certain life events, and not just the everyday common cold.
I am a relatively new instructor that gave extra credit last term and I don't think I will do it again. I have a situation with several students "requireing" a grade of 100% in the course and considering it "failing" to make less than that 100%. Because of their concerns, I gave extra credit and ended up with a portion of the class at over 100% of points. I did not feel comfortable with this outcome. Does anyone else have this issue with overachievers?
Hi Cynthia,
I absolutely agree with you. The others made it, and she could have made it as well. She has to learn for every choice, there is a consequence. You did the right thing...
Patricia
Patricia,
I agree with this because in this line of work, allowing a student to be irresponsible will show in the operating room, and the hospitals will not take kindly to students not being responsible. Furthermore, it is not fair to the students who do what is expected.
Ex. There was a car accident on a bridge where several of my students travel. The traffic was slow moving and several of the students was late but they came, one decided to turn around and go home because she said it was bad. Now let me mention the 2nd and the 3rd day of class she missed (another excuse)but she has missed several classes. On the day of the accident she missed a quiz, I gave the quiz late in the class period but she went home, now she wants me to excuse her absence because of the accident. I will not accomodate this student's request because there were others but she was the only one absent. By the way, the quiz was pre- scheduled.
I think that extra credit work is a vehicle to give higher grades by letting them think the first assignment was not as important as it is.
Hi Bruce,
Great analogy! I see your point. I simply do not believe in extra credit. Students need to understand that you work hard from the beginning, and you can get the grade you want or come close to getting the grade you want.
My two cents...
Extra Credit is Rubish. All of my points are based on a percentage of how important the assignment is, and this so called extra credit throws that off. If you did all the work, and the exra credit work, you could possibly get more than 100%. It's like when athletes say they give 110%, In my mind that can not possibly exist. If you expand your effort, you expand the definition of 100%, you can not create more percentage points. If the class is worth 1000 points, but if I offer 10 extra credit projects each worth 10 pts then the class really is valued at 1100 points.
What do you think about offering an extra credit question on quizzes? Does this favor the driven student?
Although it would seem that extra credit is a way for slack students to put off their work and yet pass the class, I find that most students who need to complete the extra credit, don't. In short, they are slack even when it comes to completing extra credit.
Thanks, this gives me a new perspective.
Extra credit does seem like you are only permitting a student to be a slacker and to not be so concerned about what is expected for class. However, there are always those students who do everything that is expected and would still like to do extra work, just in case. Or if not that type of student, then there are always some students who I believe are really putting forth an effort but did not score as great on their last test for whatever reason. For me, I basically assess it by each class whether I will assign anything extra for them to submit to me for a grade.
I agree but in the rare occasion of a special circumstance I like to be able to offer a detailed research project to ensure the student really grasps the subject matter.
Hi Michael,
I am not a fan of extra credit. Students need to do what is expected of them. In the real world they will have to do what is expected of them within a particular time frame.
Patricia
I tend to take each senario into consideration, but most of the time I do not allow extra credit work simply due to the fact that it allows students to fall behind on the work required with no consequences.
When I first started teaching I did allow extra credit --the students took advantage of this by not completing the required assignments thinking they could make it up when convenient.Now I don't because I feel if the students complete the assignments and study as they should they really do not need extra credit.
