Extra credit in gradebook

Lynea.L.6938

Hello,

We are brandnew to this system so I am learning.

In weeks 1 and 2 of my online course I allow students to submit an email to me that shows they went through the Syllabus (I have a hidden gem in it which asks them to email me 3 things they learned, any outstanding questions they have, etc). I am unsure how to set that up in the gradebook. Do I put that in as Max Points 5 but also click "can exceed" - I just don't want students hwo didn't do that to have any negative impacts (which is why I put it in as .01 as it seems like it's going against them). Any advice for folks who have done Extra Credit?

Craig.R.185

Hi @Lynea.L.6938 . The "Bonus" checkbox is what I think you're looking for. I would set up your grade item as follows:

• Maximum Points = 5. This will make this item out of 5 points, so someone can get 5/5 or 3/5, etc.
• Bonus = checked. This is synonymous with extra credit. Whatever points (in the numerator) someone receives on a bonus grade item contributes to their score with no penalty for those who didn't. In other words, if LearnerA has an overall grade of 85/100 and does this 5 point assignment, they will have an overall grade of 90/100. If LearnerB has an overall grade of 85/100 and doesn't do this assignment, they will have an overall grade of 85/100.
• Can Exceed = unchecked. This checkbox controls whether someone can have more than 100% for this grade item. For example, if you make this grade item out of 5 points and leave this checkbox empty, associate a Discussion to this grade item, and give a learner 7 out of 5 on the Discussion, this grade item will lower the score to 5 out of 5 in Grades since it's instructed to not let the grade exceed 100%. This setting is probably irrelevant for this grade your use case; you can check or uncheck it. But if you are giving out bonus points (as you described), it's worth considering editing your final grade item and deciding to check this box or not there. For example, in the previous Bonus situation with LearnerA, if they have an overall grade of 100/100 and do the 5 point assignment, do you want their final grade in the course to be 105/100 or 100/100? Edit your Final Grade item and check "Can Exceed" if you choose the 105/100 option, or just leave it unchecked if you choose the 100/100 option.

I hope this helps. Let me know any follow up question about this.

Craig.