Introduction
Extra credit items can be created using two methods. The first involves creating the item directly in the gradebook for points when no student submission is required. The second method involves creating a submittable item that is then configured as extra credit.
Extra credit weights cannot be automatically distributed in a weighted gradebook. To ensure extra credit assignments contribute to the overall grade, manually set their weight values. Without manual assignment, extra credit items will default to zero weight and provide no points.
Create an Extra Credit Item in the Gradebook
- To create an extra credit item for a course, start by clicking Grades in the course navbar.
- Select the Manage Grades tab. Click the New button, and click Item from the drop-down menu.
- Click the Numeric option as the grade item type.
- Configure the "New Item" section settings in the properties tab. You will also need to configure the points value. You do not need to check the "Can Exceed" checkbox for the item because you will check it in the category you create or apply in the next steps.
- Select the Bonus checkbox to ensure the item is treated as extra credit rather than a standard graded item in the gradebook.
- If an extra credit category does not already exist, create one now to help troubleshoot gradebook point discrepancies. For detailed instructions on creating categories, reference the Set up the Gradebook guide. To use an existing category, select it from the drop-down menu under the "Category" section, or create a new category by clicking [New Category].
- The weight determines the maximum percentage added to the final grade. In this example, extra credit can contribute up to 10% of the final grade. Important: Manually set weights for extra credit; otherwise, auto-distribution will assign zero weight and provide no credit. Select the Allow category grade to exceed category weight checkbox. Click Save and Close.
- The extra credit item is now within the extra credit category. Note that "Extra Credit Item #1" has a star next to it; this means the item is considered a bonus and is not part of the gradebook.
- Next, enable both "Final Calculated Grade" and "Final Adjusted Grade" to exceed the category weight. The steps are the same for both. Click the arrow to the right of the category name, then click Edit from the drop-down menu.
- Select the Can Exceed checkbox for both categories to allow the gradebook to exceed 100%.
- You have successfully created an extra credit item.
Create a Submittable Item as Extra Credit
1. To create a submittable item as extra credit for a course, start by clicking Content in the course navbar.
2. Click +New Unit to create a new unit containing the extra credit. You can add the extra credit item to an existing unit if you choose to. In this example, an extra credit unit will be created. To create a unit, reference the Add a New Unit to a Course guide for detailed information.
3. After creating and choosing the unit that will contain extra credit, click the Create New button to create the item inside the unit.
4. Click Assignment.
5. Configure the assignment settings based on your preferences, following the same process as creating a standard assignment. For more information about creating an assignment, reference the Add a New Activity to a Course guide.
6. Once the assignment is created, begin moving the item to a category by clicking Grades in the navbar, then click the Manage Grades tab. Click the arrow next to the assignment name, and then click Edit from the drop-down menu.
7. Select the category the assignment should be moved to from the drop-down menu under the "Category" section, or create a new category by clicking [New Category]. For more information about creating categories, reference Set up the Gradebook by Weights.
8. Ensure the weight is set, and the Bonus checkbox is selected to be considered extra credit. Click the Save and Close button.
9. The submittable item is now within the extra credit category. The star indicates that the item is considered a bonus and not part of the gradebook.
10. Next, the "Final Calculated Grade" and the "Final Adjusted Grade" need to be allowed to exceed the category weight. The steps are the same for both. To make the change, click the arrow to the right of the category name and then click Edit from the drop-down menu.
11. Select the Can Exceed checkbox for both categories to allow the gradebook to exceed 100%.
12. Click Save and Close.
13. The extra credit item has been successfully created. The image below shows the student view of the gradebook. In this example, the student's final grade is 110/100, demonstrating that extra credit contributed 10% to the maximum grade."