Extra Credit
I have found in my College Success class, the first class students take, that offering extra credit truly motivates them to try. After reading through Module 1, specifically with Fact 3. Retention can be enhanced by making changes in the campus environment, I realized how much my extra credit options help students better and voluntarily connect to the class and thus the school. We all feel more motivated after we do well on a test, paper, or assignment. I discovered that extra credit is a way to improve student persistence and came up with more options for them. Most recently I gave them the following extra credit options. In order to get the information, instead of handing it out in class, they had to email me to request it. The topic for the weekend h/w was Time Management, and having them think about the class, and plan for it all works together. So here it is, what I emailed my students that requested the extra credit assignment.
Extra Credit Options – 50 points possible
First…read chapter 3 in your text…that's your homework and the extra credit is related to time management and prioritizing.
1) Music: Bring music and or the lyrics that relate to time, wasted time, spend time, money or both time and money. All music is based on timing. Write a ½ page – 1 page summary. Can find lyrics at letssingit.com;
2) Nature: Explore how nature has changed overtime. Write a ½ page – 1 page summary on your findings;
3) Quote: See the quotes below; paraphrase each one (what do each mean to you). You can find 4 more quotes related to time and paraphrase them, or you can research -Horace -Spanish Proverbs -Parkinson's Law and H.D. Thoreau;
4) Movie: Watch Broadcast News (I've never seen it, but imagine Blockbuster has a copy), and write a summary discussing the aspects of planning and prioritizing in the movie.
Quotes:
“Live mindfully of how your brief life is.†-Horace
“Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the year.†-Spanish Proverb
“Work expands to fill the time available for its completion.†-Parkinson's Law
“You cannot kill time without injuring eternity.†H.D. Thoreau
Let me know if you have any questions.
Tara
What are the other ways you reward students, Gerardo? How do they find out about the reward system?
I don't give extra points, they come to expect them and are not earned. I reward them in different ways.
What are the extra-credit assignments that you offer to students? Do you do this at the end of the semester?
Vicki,I couldn't agree with you more.
Extra credit is a way to give hope to the students who feel hopeless about earning a decent grade.
I do not offer make-up exams. However, I offer one extra-credit assignment that will replace their lowest test grade with an A. These assignments are very intense, but the majority of students complete them to ensure earning a decent final grade.
Extra Credit is always a hit. There are some students that have fallen behind in academics and attendance and is looking for a way out. This makes for a great incentive for both the instructor and the student. When the student feels that there is no hope they drop out however, those that get the extra credit feels that this gives them hope as a result the student trys a little harder.
Tara I agree with your extra credit idea because, it can help to motivate all student.
1.The students that are doing well can be motivated to learn more about a subject.
2. The students that are having a difficult time can be given a project that will encourage the students to work harder. Overall I believe extra credit is a good thing.
You describe a familiar scenario. Have you considered offering a comprehensive assignment that would require mastery of the subject for extra credit?
I try not to give extra credit to my students. I have found that they will not do the assignments and then at the end want to do extra credit to improve there grade. It is the last minute effect to try and pass the class to were they had not done a lot during the term.
Hi Loren,
I teach Physics and College Mathematics I and II, and do not belive in extra credit. I suggest that teachers need to have their scale of students work appreciation without extra credit points. What students need to know is the scale that will be used in their appreciation. What the the teacher need to know is that he or she has to be consistent with the scale.
We are allowed to offer extra credit for all students. The ones who want extra credit are the exceptional students, that I don't have retention issues. I have difficulty motivating the more challanged students to complete the work assigned, much less do additional work.
To keep them more engaged, I have to devote additional time and get additional understanding of their unique situation.
If that's the case, Bill, do you have any suggestions to use extra credit more effectively or other ways to get students more engaged?
Don't you find that those that do the extra credit are the same students that don't need it to bring up their grade?
Bill Adriance
Thanks for the follow up, Steve. I'm curious about class perks. What are they and how do they work? Is this another form of public recognition or is it something just between you and the receiving student?
I offer a ton of extra credit, and sometimes it is completely impromptu. Topics will come up, such as "Does looking at the sun really help you sneeze?" or "What is the exact meaning of i.e.?" or "Why do we sleepwalk." The environment I create is one that bonds students right away; make them feel like they are a true part of the school. Being a real person to them, while remaining their professor, allows for a higher level of trust between class members. Once I asked them to simply go and research something that they always wanted to learn more about and write a little summary. They loved it! They all had to use the internet/library, so it worked out well. Having them choose is a powerful tool - it really lets them become part of the material, and the class. I have never had any negative feedback, the students tend to try harder when it's a "want to" situation, rather than a "have to" situation, and a ton of psychologist back me up on that! :)
I think doing this creates a larger gap between those students that are A+ students, and have the extra time to do this work, and those that are barely making in through the regular assignments. Imagine how that feels for the student struggling, when the A+ overachiever student continues to do more work, and get more and more recognition for doing so. I just can't do that with my students, they, the C students, doubt their ability as a student already, rubbing better students work in their face would be counterproductive for me. This reminds me of the separation between the “haves†and the “have-nots†in society - the gap seeming to always widen.
Yes, I have many students that earn over 100% in the class. Originally there was desire from faculty to make the class pass/fail, however that seemed wrong on so many levels. There is the A student and the C- student both receiving the same grade. So, with extra credit, students can do it as they have time, or not do it and just stick with the work. I also accept late work, so even those students that barely are making it, have the opportunity to make up their missed work, and still feel good about their accomplishment, albeit not ideal. I work at a vocational college, many of our students very much doubt their ability to pass, let alone get an A. My objective first and foremost, is for them to feel good about the class, what they're learning and ultimately create some internal motivation and self-confidence.
Hi Loren,
That is a very good question. First, I explain in the beginning of the course why I don't give extra points because it is important to make it equal for all students within that class within the time I know they can allot (class time). I also show the student how the project has WIFM and how it will help them gain greater proficiency or skill levels and I congratulate and thank them when it is completed. After that I recognize publicly to the class achievements that students have completed within the projects and lastly I may even award certificates or class perks. Never underestimate the power of recognizeing someone for a job well done. Even though most students may not recognize it, if you are a respected instructor/facilitator your students will work hard to please you and be respected themselves by you. I hope that helps answer your question.
Steve, if a student doesn't get extra points what's the motivation to do the special projects?
Well thought out, Tara. Thanks for sharing.
How often do you offer extra credit? Do other instructors also use this tool? Have you had any problems or experienced any negative feedback from this approach?
