Students often ask to do extra credit. Why? Two types of students: the first type hasn't performed as well as they would have liked, and their grade reflects this. So, they're very interested in throwing the old "extra credit hail mary" to save their grade. The other type is the 100%-average overachiever -- the kind that doesn't need the points, but would love to finish the class wth a better-than-perfect average.
If you've set up your class properly, then you should have the proper amount of work for your students to do, right? Why would you want to give them more? And as our "lazy teacher" might say, why would you want to give yourself more work, for that matter?
Some schools that I've taught for ban extra credit all-together. And I've only offered extra credit on a very few occasions, and that was just when I was starting out.
Check out the link below for some interesting thoughts on whether or not to offer it in your class. Whether you decide to offer extra credit or not, it's a good idea to think the issue through before the class begins, stating your policy specifically and clearly in your syllabus.
http://www.csupomona.edu/~facultycenter/weekly_teaching_note_feb_25_2008.shtml
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