Students that are about to quit can benefit from hearling a guest speaker talk about his or her problems succeeding.It can motivate the student to go to class one more time. Then the next day and the next day adds up and before you know it, they have completed the class
Having guest speakers come in to the classroom and talk with students is a great opportunity for students to learn new ideas from the guest speaker. Also, it is a great chance for students to get to know the guest speaker a little bit and possibly add the guest speaker to their networking list. Finally, if the guest speaker is a graduate of the school, the students can see a success story and will likely be inspired to complete their courses and graduate.
Hi Linda,
I've learned that guest speakers really solidfy in the students mind that what you are teaching is what is in the real world. Our students need to hear from professionals in the field.
Patricia
I have been in education far longer than I want to admit; however, I have always used guest speakers as oftern as possible. I find that a new perspective can often times touch something in those 'ready to quit' students that I have missed. It seems like they turn out to be the students that ask the most questions and want to talk to the guest after class. Having a guest speaker has also helped me to make sure that I am staying in touch with what I am teaching.
Hi Scott,
Students do enjoy guest speakers. I use my director and placement coordinators as guest speakers all the time in Career Development.
Patricia
They can see the value of the information taught by someone elses real world experience
Hi Juan,
Guest speakers serve as a great way to validate what theory dictates. Students love having the experts come in to share.
Patricia
Making the course relevant is important so students understand why they are taking the course, how they will apply their learning, and help to retain information. Guest speakers are great way to do this. Students can see the "pay off" for all of their hard work and if they just keep at it, they can be successful as well. Guest speakers can give examples, share stories, and ways to tackle obstacles.
Hi Catherine,
Guest speakers are simply awesome. Students get great excitement from having a guest speaker. Guest speakers can really validate classroom theory.
Patricai
Hi Hilda,
I never thought of using a professor from another institution as a guest speaker. I have you found this to be helpful?
Patricia
Using professors from other institutions is helpful as well.
A guest speaker can get a student to think beyond their classroom setting. I have been a guest speaker on many occasions for both VN and RN students as a home health and hospice nurse, and the students are so enthusiastic, and filled with questions. i usually get approached after the classroom session by students that thank me for getting them to think about different areas of nursing.
In my experience, I have found that most students are really motivated by guest speakers because students percieve them as true experts. They often reinforce what the instructors have talked about which makes the students buy into the class even more.
The students seem to love it. What instructors sometimes don't realize is, you can even bring in an instructor from another school as a guest speaker.
True, guest speakers offer a different perspective. Sometimes having a guest speaker can also help with job leads with the speaker's employer.
I like to use guest speakers. They can help motivate students and make the class more interesting and engaging for students. I teach online so we have tried to use guest speakers in a webinar format. The problem is that only a few students attend. I have also tried sending links for videos and podcasts that serve as the functional equivalent of a guest speaker.
Wow...I really like this idea. Going to try and see if I can get our college to approve that. Thanks for the helpful idea.
I agree with you Patricia. Sometimes I may use clips from A & E or other professional clips to help students to understand the lecture information a little better. For example, in my abnormal psychology class, I was lecturing on personality disorders and I used movie clips, such as fatal attraction, mommie dearest and the hand that rocks the craddle to explain and show the behaviors of someone who is diagnois with borderline personality disorder. I also show interview sessions by psychiatrist who are working with people labeled as narcissitic individuals. So again I totally agree with you and how guest speakers can be a great resource.
Hi Lisa,
Guest speakers can also validate things that were taught by the instructor. The guest speaker can really help solidfy things.
Patricia
Guest speakers are a great asset to a class discussion because they can offer a different perpective to the course work that you as the everyday instructor may have missed. Students will see a different side of the subject and decide to stay in the class.
