Kristen,
The ability to ask questions directly is beneficial in several ways. Chiefly, students begin to visualize themselves as workers, perhaps for the first time.
Barry Westling
It is extremely important to make field trips and have guest speakers. All learners should have their senses stimulated by utilizing other approaches. Such as, making field trips and have others speaking to them. I have actually seen the new motivation in a student after they hear from a different individual or see what they would actually be doing in their field.
It is important for field trips because students can see there studies in action. I think it helps to SEE what you are working so hard towards actually in progress. Also. when guest speakers arrive students have a great opportunity to ask questions specifically about their interest.
Jan,
From my experience, students receive so much from from these learning activities. Whether it's seeing something that's interesting, hearing about the profession they'll be entering, or the ability to ask questions of the presenters -- all leave a lasting an memorable impression.
Barry Westling
Field trips provide opportunities for students to observe "real life" situations in their chosen field. This helps students to make connections between theory and practice - especially, if the they haven't had previous experience in their subject area. Guest speakers can motivate students by providing insight to the day to day activities of professional life, by acting as a role model for professional success, and in being living proof that there is an actual light at the end of the tunnel.
Courtney,
Yes, and oftentimes, a technical point, topic, or particular subject that has been discussed or seen in the textbook will resurface by the outside speaker or tour guide. Obviously, this helps reinforce the credibility of the instructor and sometimes provides a bit of added enthusiasm.
Barry Westling
I really like the idea of incorporating field trips in to instruction because the students get that feel for what the field is really like. It also helps the students to better understand all the things they are learning in class, as they can now see them happening in real life. Most of my students love learning about a subject such as emergency medicine and then putting it in to real life events.
Monir,
Surely, when students are given the opportunity to see and hear directly from active, working individuals, and visualize themselves in the work setting during a field trip, their level of interest, participation and engagement in the classroom is likely to increase.
Barry Westling
Students learn more about the real information about guest speaker career as well as they have time to ask question from Industry professional and getting extra information that probably is not in the book.
Field trip and guest speaker also give them a chance to make connection with industry and using this connection in future for Internship and even job.
Maurice,
Keeping students fully engaged seems to have become more of a challenge. You'd think students would want to learn and be participating in every activity. I find students will be engaged when the topic or activity is interesting, when students see some benefit for themselves, and topics relate directly to the work setting.
Barry Westling
Barry,
Watching students today during guest speakers presentations, in both regular size classrooms
as well as large lecture halls, will reveal significant proportions of students daydreaming, attending casually to the lecture, listening to IPods, instant messaging on a cell phone, or playing on a laptop computer. The proportion of students visibly engaged in taking notes in most
classes.
B. A.,
These factors are a reality. Students will nearly always remember interesting fieldtrips, especially when they are significantly related to their course of study. I toured a manufacturing plant of one of the instruments used in my profession in 1972, and that memory is still with me 40+ years later, and I'll occasionally refer to an aspect of that visit in class.
Barry Westling
I agree. A difficult part can be coordination of all schedules, the weather and other factors which can be very troublesome at times!
B. A.,
How wonderful! I have observed that field trips can very memorable, and when they tie in directly with the course topic or focus of the program, that's just all the better. It's really amazing what an individual can be trained to observe, if they have a knowledgeable eye.
Barry Westling
One of my former students from a previous term stopped by during a class break last term and said that she had been on a vacation to Europe recently. She said that she had been there numerous times before and had never really "seen" the places that she visited. She said that she realized that the class experience with me had opened her eyes to really "see" just what she was seeing. It made my day needless to say. The instruction coupled with field trips to get out and see the subject matter is a powerful tool in teaching.
B. A.,
I agree, and believe that a field trip such as you describe will be memorable in the students mind, probably for a lifetime. Something that powerful is a great activity to schedule, as it's significance can be long-lasting.
Barry Westling
In the area in which I teach, incorporating field trips brings to life the subject matter being taught. Instead of a flat picture, the students can see the actual object with color and shading, the actual building materials and their details, integration with other buildings, the sense of the neighborhood and the nuances that you could never sense from a picture with description.
Guest speakers bring a varied professional option which may either agree, disagree or vary from the instructor which is always good for the students to hear.
Irum,
Motivation, morale, and inspired vision of a better job (and life) are often received as an outcome of both the guest speaker and field trip experience.
Barry Westling
Field trips are good from learning point of view as this gives student the chance to experience practical side of their course and this surely develops their interest in learning.
Richard,
I agree asking questions of real work setting workers is extremely valuable. I've found students seem to be very bold asking questions and the speakers are usually very candid in answering questions. This of course contributes to a better learning experience, and serves as an extremely motivating activity.
Barry Westling
