I always like to invite students back to the classroom who have already graduated because they can give current students an idea of what is expected of them when they go out into the field. I think it excites them when they hear how the student is enjoying what they are doing and utilizing what they learned in school. If they are fearful and discouraged it can give them the encouragement to keep going knowing they too can be successful.
I have my recent graduates come in on completion of their extern and speak about there experience in the field. The Students are able to see success and excitement from their peers.
I think a fellow student who is about to go on externship, who has successfully completed the same program, would be of great value to a discouraged student and in fact, since doing this section of the module I am going to talk to my supervisor about making this a possibility for us.
Using guest speakers can get students re-engaged in the course. I remember that when I was a student it was nice to have a break from the regular professor and have someone speak about their experiences. It gives new insight to sometimes less than exciting topics. It also rejuvenates the class as a whole.
Hi Clyde,
I concur! Graduate guest speakers are the best because current students can relate better to them. How inspiring and motivating.
Patricia Scales
We use former students, site managers, doctors or other medical professionals in the field. I really favor using the graduate students working in the feild because the currents students can actually hear testiomy from someone that completed the program.
Guest speakers are a great way to re-motivate students. Students that have completed the program offer motivation and the reality that this is indeed a goal that can be accomplished. It also helps them to re-assess their reasons for attending.
Having someone different in the class is always a nice change and motivator for the students.
That's true. Guest speakers tend to be more open and student's can relate to that.
Having a guest speaker will show the at risk student why they came to school to begin with. It shows them what kind a great job they will eventually obtain and show them how they will apply the skills they acquire while in school.
I had a past student come in unexpectedly and he was raving about his new career and suggested that the students pay attention and learn all there is to learn in my course. He explained to them how it has helped him and why my teaching style has helped benefit him in the real world. I didnt think anything of it before but he hooked most of the class and they wanted to be in HIS shoes and knew it was obtainable because he was one of their peers.
Guest speakers are an excellent and effective resource in working with discouraged students. Of course the most effective speakers are your successful graduates which you have actually had in your classes. We have one graduate who is RVP of a major bank and guest speaks in our business classes. He shares with the students the challenges that he faced and the efforts required to accomplist his success. The students are always completely focused because they can relate to his beginning and the interest in the class and subject matter always escalates after his presentation.
Guest speakers influence students especially if they can relate in personal experiences and struggles with their success outcomes.
A guest speaker can convey their experiences and challenges and let students know they are not the only ones who have had to overcome adversity.
A guest speaker can provide the student with a break from me as their teacher. Having another leadership person provide the student with encouragement and stories of what is possible upon graduation can give the student an emotional boost to make it through the course.
Guest speakers who are currently in the field will provide a light at the end of the tunnel. Students can get a better idea of what the actual application of the course will look like. Many students may feel nervous about entering the field, perhaps this will alleviate some of their fears.
Recent graduates are generally successful guest speakers. Students can identify with them and they can relate their experiences best. They are a better standard for a person current student to measure themself against. Their success feed the hope of the current student.
I think that when guest speakers come in, it helps students to see themselves in their new careers. It's particularly helpful when the guest speakers are relatively recent graduates. They seem to relate better to the students than someone who hasn't been a student in years. It helps the students to visualize success and to know that others have been in their shoes and made it past graduation to a new career.
Excellent value in using guest lecturers who have been through the program the students are in--they immediately see the value and the pay off!
using a guest speaker as motivators was great. I had a past student who came to visit for her transcripts. I invited her to give a little talk in class and she talked about the procedures she had done & her first week at work/internship. She told them about being prepared to go to work because "your professor will not be there to help you," after that all of them was really paying attention to the steps and procedures i was teaching in class.
