I invite a guest speaker once or twice a mod. It could be former students that are working in the field. Sometimes I have a technologist or Doctor to speak with the students.
One of the advantages to having a guest speaker is that students may be motivated or inspired by the experience and perspective that the speaker shares. I have not yet used guest speakers in this way, but I have had speakers come in to share their expertise for a particular concept or course objective. For example, when my students prepare employment application documents (e.g. resume, cover letter), I invite our Writing Center experts to share their knowledge and evaluate student work. Students are super excited when this activity occurs.
In my opinion, guest speakers can serve as motivators. I think the students are more willing to listent to someone other than the classroom teacher.
Hi Sara,
I agree totally! Guest speakers are priceless, and they are valuable resources for students to add to their network.
Patricia
Guest speakers are beyond valuable! It helps to have a different perspective other than the teacher now and again. A speaker in the field can help maintain the interest of the student by giving them a little insight into what they can expect from the job. It is also a connection into the community in which they may someday be employed.
I used a guest speaker one time at a different college than the one I teach at now. I was a medical assistant lab instructor at that time. Actually I had 2 speakers come in now to think of it. One was my cousin. She works as a 911 operator and has been in that career for about 15 years. She is also an MA graduate although she never worked in a medical office. Loves her job and the students really enjoyed her stories and the possibility of that position out there for them as well opened a few eyes and inspired some. The other speaker was my friend and former employer. He is the CEO of Red Cross. He came in and talked about all the openings that might be available to these students at Red Cross. Showed some video and really sparked some interest in phlebotomy. Over all., speakers really work as motivators.
It allows them to see someone who is successful in the work world in which they are training for. They seem to need the change in personality other than the instructors in order to get excited.
They may help re-motivate that student and encourage them to complete the course. Talking with a former successful student can make the course seem worth while and make successful completion seem possible.
Guest speakers can be a great resource for students to see all the choices available to them in the workplace. It also is an inspirational experience to see where someone else is and how they got there.
A guest speaker represents a third party that has no "grading" authority on the student. Their impartiality gives their words an impact that the instructor words can't have.
I once had a guest speaker in my Math class that worked in Financial Services. However, before retaining this position she had had a car accident and had to relearn all her Math skills from stratch. Her dedication and the obvious career payoff were inspirational; but I noticed that her recounting of the "little tests" she put in front of herself to regain her Math skills gave my students a new appreciation of their homework.
