The value of guest speakers is tremendous--both to the instructor and the students.
More importantly, students are hearing from an outside source (perhaps many of the same things they encounter daily in the classroom); but, the fact that this person has diverse experience, knowledge and wisdom, avails the students of another side of the coin.
Guest speakers help invigorate the course a bit by changing things up a bit. In addition, it may motivate students because if the speaker is good they can a student see an end result; or inspire them to continue to move forward despite any hardship or struggles in their personal or professional lives.
Christina and Patricia
I have been teaching for over 25 years and have had many guest speakers. My students and I have also gone on field trips. I teach primarily accounting and some composition classes. Both of these subjects are difficult for students. I belong to a writing group and have had some of my colleagues from that group speak to my composition students. The students loved it! In accounting I've had former students, successful accounting professionals and even teachers from other schools speak. Field trips are motivators too. Students love to get away from me and the school for a few hours.
Hi Carly,
Yes, guest speakers can provide valuable insight to an about-to-quit student. There is nothing like having someone to come talk about the profession, this is very motivating.
Patricia
Hi Kelly,
Externs/interns are great motivators as well. Students really enjoy hearing the practical side of their field.
Patricia
I have not only used graduates as guest speakers to inspire my new student groups but also students that are currently attending the externship portion of the program. It seems to encourage and excite the new students to be provided the opportunity to recieve feedback from fellow students.
I've used guest speakers to discuss topics that I may not have the resources for on campus. When I have taught an imaging class the students sometimes seem board with only getting to take x-rays. Since the school does not have an ultrasound machine on campus I have brought in a guest speaker to bring in an ultrasound machine and talk about its uses in imaging. Letting the students know that this is coming tends to work as a motivater to stay in the class, if you stay you get to learn/see the "cooler" stuff that is out there in practice.
Guest speakers can help them see that they are not alone that what they are feeling have been experienced by others...and that they can get thru a difficult time and still reach there goal
It provides them with an opportunity to see a real life individual from their choosen profession, which can serve as a motivation to help them see the end product.
I have been using guest speakers for many years. I find that it helps motivate the students, especially the older students who are more focused on their career paths. They get to hear what a typical everyday in their careers will be like. Also what the background and educational requirements are for continuing education. Where the jobs are located and what the espectations are also another factor. I feel that guest speakers help the students relate to the real world experiences and not just the information out of the text. Some of the guest speakers were in the students same shoes not too long ago themselves.
Will reassure the students that they are not alone and that they can succeed by sticking it out.
using a guest speaker in a class where you have discouraged students or students that are about to quit my course can be very valuable because it will show them examples of successful professionals in our chosen profession and encourage students to keep on reaching for their goals, because they CAN do it!!!!
Hi Joe,
Guest speakers are great across the board. They are so ideal to motivate and inspire current students.
Patricia
I have a difficult time arrangingn for guest speakers and still covering the important material required in the class. Any suggestions?
I've had great success having graduated students return to speak to my classes. They let the students know that they too have gone through the same anxieties about school, & the doubts about being able to make it through. They give encouragement to "hang in there" & to let them see that there is life after school, & that it's all worth it in the end. They also encourage the students to study hard & listen to the lectures, as the info they are learning in school really is applied in the work environment.
In several of the live classes that I have taught, I had former students who were guest speakers. I found the students in class were very eager to listen to what they were saying. Some of them seemed to be on the edge of their seats to make sure that they heard every word. Having a short discussion at the beginning of the next class was always something that they looked forward too. Often times I would see some of the students from the class and they would rave about the guest speaker's presentation.
Patricia,
I have found that guest speakers are great for allowing students to see the big picture of what their new career field is going to be like. This shows them that if they stay focused, they can achieve their goals. It also gives them concrete examples of how someone managed their personal lives while managing school work.
I think that guest speakers bring a degree of "fresh air" to a course. They are a new face, with a new perspective. Guest speakers who work in the field that the class covers, have an opportunity to share real life experience with students. Students are often motivated by the idea that the course material truly does pertain to their career goals!
I have had grads come in and talk to my students. They seem to be more responsive to a grad and it makes them feel like it can be accomplished.
I have used guest speakers from the community and the students have become very energized and attentive.
