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Show page 28 lessons, Fail 2003 opportunity to go from a B+ to an A-, or even better, from an A- to an A. When students are so motivated to get high grades, they unwittingly agree to go the extra mile. For example, for ten extra credit points, students in an African American history class had to attend a Sunday sermon at the a Baptist church. Nearly two-thirds of the class showed up to receive the extra points. A student's drive to earn a high grade often times comes at any cost, even on the weekend. Speaking of cost, some students can buy their extra credit points. This was the case during the summer 2002 semester. The Daily Utah Chronicle reported on June 19, 2002, that an economics professor offered her students 10 extra credit points for collecting donations for a charity. Students were asked to collect money from sources other than themselves in order to receive the 10 points. Many criticized the professor for giving her students the opportunity to buy their points, which would ultimately raise their grade. The professor rebutted that she was helping the students by giving them the chance to earn the extra credit they had been asking for. The University does not have an official policy on how extra credit can be earned. Professors are expected to use their own judgment in regards to offering extra credit. In any case professors should be aware of any possible criticism. For example, some students may presume that a professor offering extra credit to attend his church is attempting to convert them to his religion. Other students may understand that attending the Sunday morning service is a cultural experience that is relevant to class discussions. Likewise, the professor who offered extra credit through collecting money could be criticized for "selling grades" even if she was just trying to help her students get ahead. In either case, the University doesn't regulate it, and students will take advantage of it. Why do students go through hoops and extremes for extra credit? Do they want to boost their grade, or do they want extra opportunities to learn? According to Jennifer Bauman, Art History professor: "Sometimes I will offer a bonus essay question on the exams for extra credit. I let the students know ahead of time what the question will be so they can study. But typically the students who take the time to study for this question are doing it to raise their grade. Of course, sometimes you get the rare one percent who just want to learn more." On the flip side, how do professors evaluate extra credit assignments? Is it a matter of whether the work was completed or not? Many professors want their students to walk away from the class with some new knowledge about the world, and extra credit assignments aren't any different. Some professors offer the points to give students an opportunity to raise their grade. Others offer extra credit activities as a chance to learn more about a subject, and earn extra points while doing so. Lucia Rubio, a Spanish instructor, said she offers extra credit with the hopes that her students will acquire an interest in the assignment while doing it. "I offer the extra points knowing that most will just be doing it for the grade. But if they do take advantage, they have to pay more attention, they have to put in the extra effort of speaking, listening, and writing the language, which results in more knowledge." When deciding to offer extra credit in the classroom, it is important to be aware of possible critiques. In the long run, students want to do well and get extra credit. However, they don't want to give up a Sunday morning or half of their paycheck. Some suggestions might be in orderSelect extra credit assignments that directly relate with the course content. Set reasonable expectations in exchange for point values. Make sure all students have equal access and opportunities to earn extra credit. Students do understand that professors are human, and like their students, they have other things going on in their lives that affect what they have time to do, or not to do. It would make sense that professors, like students do not want to spend all of their free time outside of school doing or grading work. However, for those professors who do offer extra credit opportunities in their classrooms, college students are more than happy to take advantage, because as in the real world, extra anything usually proves to be beneficial. Marcie Goodman observes that the students who need extra credit rarely take the opportunity. |