[jkmcf]

Not sure if you missed it, or I'm misunderstanding you, but he wrote:

> Give them homework and "grade it" to give them feedback

which addresses your main point.

[dpark]

It doesn't address the point. Homework that doesn't count won't get done, so won't provide feedback.

[bsder]

Exactly. I have tried "Voluntary Homework" with even upper level classes--it doesn't work.

I generally put homework at about 5% of grade. You can avoid doing it and still get the grade you want, but it's a bit of an obstacle. And most decent students will do the homework anyhow.

Intro classes don't get that option. I put it at about 25% of the grade.