Guest speakers show discouraged students that they are not the first or only people to have these feelings of doubt and frustration. The guest speaker is living proof that success is possible.
I have a list of students that went through school and graduated that had a great amount of problems. In several of my classes I usually ask one each quarter to come in a talk about their experiences and what they are doing now.
Guest speakers can direct the student to focus on not only their short term but their long term goals. They could tell about the struggle they had and the obstacles they overcame in the process of becoming successful. Guest speakers can show how the achievement of their goal opened whole new areas of opportunity, even beyond their chosen profession.
Hi Jon,
Graduate testamonies are great for students to hear so that they are inspired by the presentation.
Patricia
Hi Leslie,
I concur! Guest speakers are inspiring to all.
Patricia
I think that using a guest speaker will help all students, not just the ones that are ready to drop out. Guest speakers can motivate students to contine reaching their goal of finishing class, it will help them understand that they are not alone. For the other students it will remind them of why they chose the program of study they did, and why they are taking on the challenge of the courses to better themselves along with their love ones.
I have seen guest speakers come in and completely motivate a class. They get to ask questions and get expert answers. The students sometimes believe the speakers' advice more than the instructors they see in class every day. The following day I have witnessed a change in attitude and energy in a positive way.
Rosy
By interacting with others who have already experienced the challenges of a course and have been successful, the discouraged student can begin to visualize how they will feel and act when they continue on and finish the course successfully. A perspective other than that of the instructor's is of value when deciding whether it is worth it to continue on or whether to quit.
Having recent graduates who are working in the field come in guest speakers is invaluable. They are the ones that students most readily identify with and help them see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Hi John,
You must try it! Graduate guest speakers are the absolute best. It is a win-win situation for all involved. The graduate guest speaker will be honored to be asked, the students will be very motivated to continue and have something forward to look to, and any former instructors the graduate may have had will be extremely proud.
Patricia
Hi Amy,
I agree! Students love having guest speakers, and they add a lot of flavor to the course as well as to students for motivation.
Patricia
Because they have been where the student is. They can share how they worked through the same problems/feeling that the student is going through. The can paint a more realistic picture than the instructor can be cause they are able to relate. Real life experiences show that it can be done, it may just take a little more work.
This idea gives the student real life and gets them focused on the task at hand. It can help them see the light at the end of the tunnel when they see sucessful students that now have a future and "made it".It is a true spark for the weary student.
A guest speaker improves the intrest in the course
Using guest speakers is a great way to show the students what you can actually do with your degree when you are finished with school. If the student becomes discouraged and is thinking of dropping out of a course the speaker can hopefully give some the necessary enthusiasm the students needs to get back on track. Most students go through a phase while in school that they get sick of doing school work and just want to work already! This can show them if they follow through they can soon achieve everything that they want to.
to build enthusiasm...so they can ask frank questions, hear different perspectives...no two people do the same task exactly, so its good to see different points of view
Hi Miguel,
Guest speakers have a lot of valuable information to share with students. It is good for students to hear from other professionals other than the instructor all the time.
Patricia
In the six months since I made the move to teaching from working in the industry, I have not had an opportunity to utilize a guest speaker. In our particular program it has never been tried, in fact. We do get calls periodically from recent graduates thanking us for the preparation they received here and citing specific examples of training exercises or insights which were immediately helpful in the field. This is heart warming to us, to say the least, and leads me to believe that putting such a person in front of the class occasionally would be a great motivator.
John Stuckey
A guest speaker can talk about issues they can relate to.
He can tell them how he reach his goal and how his career is going.
A student ready to quit can be encouraged by a successful graduate.
Hi Dona,
What a great way to network. Guest speakers are such valuable resources in more ways than one.
Patricia
