Adrienne,
This is touchy for me too. I choose not to give EC, based on past bad experiences. I ask, why is EC needed in the first place? If it's required or helpful, it should be part of the graded assignments from the get go, right? I have nothing against the assignments, it's the points for the assignment that I avoid. I'm all for anything that's creative and works towards helping students learn.
Barry Westling