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February 15, 2010
Htoo Htoo Lu
As more teachers use extra credit for simple tasks such as buying materials for the class, its purpose deteriorates. Teachers should give extra credit opportunities for the benefits of students.
“I don’t offer extra credit to students for simply buying things because I don’t see how that’s related to what [students] are learning,” English teacher Stewart Perlman said.
Often times, students rejoice at the chance of receiving extra credit for simply buying things for the teacher. We give little thought to as to whether it is the right thing to do or not. Even those students who believe it is wrong find themselves dashing to the store to get those few extra points.
Who cares if it is right or wrong? It’s better than staying up until 2 a.m. to study hard to do well on a test; it is better than having to put in any amount of effort at all, right? There is nothing to lose by buying that box of tissue, is there?
Most students, including me, have this mindset instilled into us. However, after giving much thought to this, I realized teachers should not give out extra credit for such a simple act. Teachers should encourage students to work harder and expand their curiosity. Everything a student does in a class should be related to the class. Each student’s grade should clearly reflect his or her understanding of the subject.
However, some teachers argue that they are doing good deeds to the community and others by using this extra credit method. English teacher Teri Hu gave out extra credit to her class for bringing gift-quality childrens books. The students had a chance to share their favorite and most memorable children books with other children. She donated these books to the Union charity program.
“I want to encourage young people to read. Some books may even be life-changing,” says Hu.
Nonetheless, extra credit should only be given out to students for “extra” work that digs deeper into a certain subject they are learning. For example, government teacher Elizabeth DeWitt gave extra credit to her students for watching documentaries and news, reading non-fiction government-related books and other activities that would enhance the student’s understanding of the government. By making the students work harder for their grade, students would no longer slack off because of the thought of not being able to raise up their grade by simple extra credit assignments.
