The topic is extra credit. A moot point since I don’t give it. I will bend over backwards to make sure that my students get the credit that they deserve: I will take late assignments if there are extenuating circumstances; I will allow students to take a quiz or exam early if they are going to miss class; I will even let students take a quiz or exam late if they have proven to me that they are serious about my class. That includes but is not limited to: arriving on time; having their books, paper and a writing instrument ready; not texting during class; taking notes rather than doodling; answering when called on; asking intelligent questions; making the effort to turn assignments in on time; doing assignments with integrity (that means not cheating); and behaving in a respectful manner toward me and their classmates.
To be worthwhile, an assignment has to assess some aspect of language learning. That means that I have to grade it. I grade a lot already: homework, quizzes, exams, compositions, plus I consider attendance and participation when calculating final grades. Why should I have to grade something else? (Teachers, no matter the level, do not live for grading. Just thought that I would let you know.)
If one student is given extra credit, then every student should be accorded the same right. Not only is that a lot of extra grading (grr), but it makes all of the other assignments lose their value. Why bother doing your best on the composition if you can get extra credit and make up the points? Why study for the quiz if you can do an extra credit assignment and still have a high grade?
Are there ever legitimate reasons for giving extra credit? If a student is in the hospital or is otherwise incapacitated so that they can’t fully participate in class–sure. Otherwise, no. And I won’t read your report on Mexico.
