I'd like to make a plug here for the use of extra credit. I do use it, but only allow it up to a maximum of 20 points, which is 2% of the overall course grade. Earning this bonus is tough and requires a typed critical analysis of something related to class content, but done outside of class. Only a very strong essay of a certain length (& fulfilling certain requirements) earns full bonus. I feel very good about offering this bonus because there are a number of assignments I have which cannot be made up if a student is not in class that day. There is often a student who is very upset because they had a real emergency and could not make it to class, but they don't think it's fair to lose the points. This way they have an opportunity to make up the points. It affects their grade only slightly, so I do not feel it is grade inflation. They work hard and learn a lot for this small amount of bonus, so I feel it is deserved.
