Larry, I think this is a wonderful idea. The trouble with most EC assignments is they award credit for non-assigned work in substitution for assigned work, which really diminishes the focus of the course, is difficult to garde fairly, and if not open to or required by all students, some may claim "unfair" (usually the stronger stidents who don't need the EC points). In general, I believe all assignments should be approved by the instructor and with few exceptions, be required of all students. Barry Westling