Industry experts
For some of my classes, I invite alumni who are successful in the industry as models for my students. It gives the course relevancy and they pick up tips and cues as to how to further their own careers in the industry.
In culinary Arts instruction,this can be a valuable tool, especialy if the alumni are non-traditional students
Hi Andrew,
Students really enjoy hearing from pros and former graduates don't they. This helps to make real what you are offering them since they get to listen and interact with individuals that are doing what they want to be doing.
Gary
I invite ulumni as well as professional chefs from time to time it always excites the students helps them to understand the industry
Hi Justin,
There is nothing like a pro in the field to get students excited. Your timing is great because the students do need a boost at mid-course and a dynamic excited professional can be just the ticket.
Gary
Hi Pamela,
Good point about the guest speaker problem. I am sure all of us instructors have experienced such a presenter. Experience is the best way to overcome this problem. I have a stable of speakers that I use because I know they are going to be interesting and informative. It took me a number of very long class sessions to get to the select few that I use. When I need to get some additional or new speakers I always set up a panel where I control the time that each person speaks, say 10 minutes so if they are deadly time is short. From the panel I select the speakers that shine and I will invite them back for a full presentation when needed.
Gary
I like to bring in industry professionals around the middle of the term when enthusiasm is at it's lowest and have them reinforce the ideas I am trying to teach. If the students hear from the professional that what they are learning will benefit them in the field the students become very motivated to continue learning.
Giving the students a break from traditional lectures by inviting guest speakers, showing videos or doing activities is very powerful when trying to keep a student's interest. The one thing that is sometimes scary is when the guest turns out not to be the greatest orator, or speaks above the students heads.
Excellent advice - I imagine after years of experience, you have a list of exceptional presenters whittled down. I found that some instructors invite people in and the class turns into a sales pitch for their company's products. I think this can make us lose credibility.
Hi Amy,
Yes, I have. In those situations the instructors were using the speakers as fillers since they didn't want to teach they only wanted to get paid. In using guest speakers you need to make sure they fit the topic currently being studied and that they will contribute to the knowledge base of the students. I use guest speakers in my courses and they really have an impact on the students. I have used them enough that I know which ones to invite because I know they will make good presentations and are role models for the students.
Gary
I think this is an excellent idea!
I think this is a great idea - particularly since you solicited feedback from the students about their individual interests. The only thing that concerns me is that some instructors rely too heavily on outside presenters, thereby forfeiting their role as the instructor. Have you ever seen this happen?
If done properly, directed specifically at student needs/wants, and relatively infrequently, I feel it can be beneficial.
Lina, I have done the same thing. I talked with my students at the beginning of class to see what they were looking to accomplish, then brought in people in those fields to talk about what their jobs are really like, how someone might get into a specific field and what some of the challenges might be in those professions. I also introducted them to other positions within their field of sudy. I think you have a great idea going.
I think thats a great idea, showing what the student can become after school can definately motivate them.
i am a graduate from a school similar to the one i work at,and it seems to help with the motivation of my students as well.
Hi Lina,
This is a very powerful motivator. When students see former students as successful role models it helps them to see why they are in school and the future they can have as a result of their effort.
Gary
