There are two ways to record extra credit in the Grade Book, by adding extra points onto an existing assignment or by creating a separate extra credit assignment.You can use either style (or both) based on how you award extra credit and whether you calculate grades using the "Use Scores' % Value" preference.
Another less common option is to create an extra credit assignment that reflects actual points possible, but mark all other student Exempt on the assignment. However, this option will have a lower impact on the student's grade.
Option 1: Adding Extra Points
One way to give extra credit points is by tacking extra points onto another assignment. This style of extra credit can be used for sections where the Use Scores' % Value is marked in Grade Book > Settings > Grade Calc Options.
Option 2: Separate Extra Credit Assignment
Another way to give extra credit is to create a separate extra credit assignment that has a Points Possible value of zero. Students who have not done the extra credit will not be affected by this assignment. This option cannot be used in conjunction with the Use Scores' % Value option in Grade Book > Settings > Grade Calc Options.
Note that an assignment with zero points possible cannot be the first assignment in the Grade Book for a given task or standard.
Exempt Extra Credit Assignment
Another lesson common way to give extra credit through a separate assignment is to create an assignment where the points possible reflects actual points possible for the extra credit and then mark all other students exempt from the assignment. This option allows you to use the Use Scores' % Value; however, this style will have a lower impact on the extra credit student's grade since that student's points possible will be higher than the rest of the class.
The following image shows three students, Andrew, who earned no extra credit, Bree, who received 5 points on an extra credit assignment with 0 possible points and Brooke, who received 5 points on an extra credit assignment with 5 points possible from which all other students are exempt. Note that the In Progress Percent is higher for Bree than for Brooke.
Because this method has a more variable effect on grades, it is only recommended for users who have carefully considered and calculated their extra credit practices.
Methods to Avoid
Teachers should not create a separate category for Extra Credit assignments. Additionally, creating a category that currently has only Extra Credit assignments, even if you intend on adding regular assignments later, may cause errors.
