Hello Everyone!
Lately there has been a lot of discussion about the merit of extra credit and whether it should be used at all. Obviously giving extra credit for things like bringing a box of kleenex would be a poor use. But I was thinking... what if kids go beyond what we're able to get to in class? What if I provide them something fun, interesting, and challenging that will expand their knowledge of the content and motivate them to be life-long learners?
So one thought I have is already on my site. I have students watch the Epic of Gilgamesh clips that I posted and summarize the story. Simple enough.
Is there anyone else out there that sees a value in such assignments? Or perhaps any sort of extra credit opportunity?
I struggle with the idea of extra credit....while I see the value in it for those kids that love to go above and beyond things in class.....there are then the students that abuse it by looking at it as....well I didnt get anything else done in class, so I can just do this and get some extra points to help me? Then you run into the problem of kids constantly asking when you are going to give it to help them get their grades up when I think to myself "you should have completed the assignment the first time around"
ReplyDeleteThis is a concept I still struggle with and seeing how to effectively use it in class
Well, so far so good on this. With my extra credit, I told them them must complete all assignments to get any credit for the extra credit. Basically, those kids that wanted to better themselves and work hard did it and the kids that don't want to work hard did not. I really helped at the beginning of the year because I now know who my responsible and motivated students are. So! So far, so good.
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