Hi Emma:
Yeah, isn't that great when some external source comes along and essentailly validates what you've trying to pound into your students heads for week or months? Enthusiatic students are going to be better motivated to try harder and their results should improve from this boost in the perspective about the career setting they';re being trained for.
Regards, Barry
Hi Eric:
Field trips are quite motivational. We can assist by informing the tour guide or speaker specific points to make sure they cover, or we can just let the experience happen.
I thing some sort of follow up assessment or reflection on the experience is helpful, too.
Regards, Barry
I think the benefits are that they are able to see how what they are learning in the classroom is relevant in the real world. It gets them excited and shows them how the information they are learning can actually be used on the job
Taking students on field trips and having guest speakers helps motivate students as well as give them a sense of the real world after school is over.
Hi Tom:
I really think field trips are a huge underused resource, along with guest speakers. Sometimes I will cue the tour guide or speaker about our current topics or ask them to reinforce certain aspects. But the main benefit is seeing the work setting they'll soon be involved with, or hearing success stories from current workers and work settings. This can so inspiring and motivate students to try harder.
Regards, Barry
They keep the students excited about the material if the field trip or guest speaker is focused and pointed.
Hi DeVaria:
Scheduling pertinent field trips can sometimes take a little thought and planning, but I agree these are wonderful activities that can potentially do more in one event than many days or weeks of discussing it in class.
I think some students have less than a realistic perspective about the "real world of work" they're enrolled in. The field trip is one method to inspire, motivate, educate, and command more serious attention to studies as students begin to realize they will soon be out in these kinds of work environments.
Regards, Barry
Hi Celina:
Aren't field trips great? They open the door to ideas and imagined opportunities students may never have thought about. Plus, they are usually very interesting, break up the usual pattern of school, and may even inspire some students to do better as the result of being reinvigorated and motivated.
Regards, Barry
In my Hot Stone/Spa class, we go through a couple of towns and tour a number of spas. We later discuss the personality, decor, prices, and staff. The students that never thought about this type of job site may sometimes change their minds. Others that only thought about the spa career, sometimes change their opinions and start exploring other sites. Chiropractic offices, massage shops, etc.
Some students simply have never been in a day spa prior to the field trip.
I love field trips for my students. It gives them a chance to see their "future." It gives them an extra boost and gives them something to look forward to when they've hit a rut.
Hi Riley:
I think field trips (and guest speakers) are fantastic ways to reinforce the topics being discussed in a course, and can inspire marginal students to be motivated to do better as they visualize themselves in these settings. It changes from being "school" to "the real world of work". Plus these break the routine and give the student a different perspective about the lesson, the class, the profession, maybe even the teacher, as in "hey, this guy knows what he's talking about.
Regards, Barry
If selected carefully the field trip confirms the concepts from our class. We can show the students what we are talking about. I also learn things on field trips, there is usually something that I find informative or beneficial also!
Mike Riley
Hi Terri:
Two things always seem to liven things up: the notice of a guest speaker or the announcement of a planned field trip. Probably because it's something different, or the activity sparks interest in the students, these activities are almost always memorable, and be motivational and even inspiraing to some students who've become lulled into the doldrums. We should plan these more often. It has such a powerful and significant impact on students.
Regards, Barry
I have found that no matter how old or young my students are, when I have something other than normal classroom lecture, gets them more interested or excited in the subject. I have a field trip planned for next week, and since I announced this my students are taking a more active interest in the subject that I am teaching.
Hi Salle:
Well said. I agree that many students enter professional career colleges with little realistic information about what the job entails fully. I think many are "sold" into enrolling based on information provided by the admissions or enrollment department.
That said, we can help students learn about the realities or special aspects the career or profession offers through gusest speakers and/or field trips. These are dynamic opportunities that are usually interesting and memorable.
Regards, Barry
Hi Blanche:
As teachers I think we have to look at all resources available to us. As for guest speakers, the recent grad is a great resource to tap in to because of their excitement, enthusiasm, fresh knowledge, and current job or career information.
Vendors are another source for guest speakers. They either can talk about products, or they are in touch with people who are active in your profession and are often willing to put you in contact with them. For vendors, after hours is not such a barrier as it might be for day classes.
Regards, Barry
It opens their minds to possibilities and opportunities. Being exposed to their fields while they are learning and training can challenge preconceived ideas about what they will be doing and who they might work with. They are exposed to alternate viewpoints and some practicalities of the field. I also believe it can add to their confidence about how they will fit into the profession.
To my surprise this question was asked by a student just last week,because my classes are held in the evening not many offices are closed,field trips are a little difficult, however I will be making a change. As for as the guest speaker it is a fantastic gesture when the previous students return to class with excitment to share with the current students their job experience and their success stories makes my heart SING with joy.
Hi Karen:
I agree this activity is extremely valuable and (my belief) is used less that could be by many teachers. But students enjoy it, benefit from it, and can even be inspired to try harder to perform in class when they realize they will sometime soon be expected to perform in a similar work setting.
I like your comment about the teamwork and cooperation among peers and workers. Very good.
Regards, Barry
Field trips and hands on experiences are a vital part of my class instruction so I do it often in all kinds of weather. I have observed that in addition to a different type of learning that is going on as well as development of skills; other values that are needed in the workplace are developed simultaneously. An example of this would be the teamwork and cooperation that happens in this setting. Another valuable assest to this type of learning is a maturity that develops when students work with people outside of their campus environment,especially if it is in the field of their choice. They are more motivated and start interacting in a more professional manner....it's good practice for getting out into the real work world where they want to be someday.
