There are several benefits students can get from both field trips and guest speakers. In my class, I discussed with my Medical Assistant students the expectations the local employers would have of them upon graduation. Many students thought I was over-dramatic and trying to "scare them straight". I set up a field trip to one of the largest clinics in our area. The hiring director took them on a tour of the clinic and, at the end of the tour, took the students into the conference room and explained to them what attributes they looked for in a potential hire. She also conducted mock interviews with a few of the students, reviewing their strengths and weaknesses with them. The response of the field trip was great. We had a totally different (positive) attitude in class and several students made dramatic changes, in a effort to be chosen by this site for their internship. Sometimes the students need to see how things work first-hand in a real-world setting before they will take the instructor's word on what will be expected of them in the field.
Some students get to experience the way their professional career choice is operated during a day to day basis. I find field trips very much exciting. It gets the students involved and they are able to ask questions. This way they can see how things are in the professional health field.
Bruce,
Credibilty is important, and one of the best ways to gain that is through external experts or workers from the specific employer group speaking to the class.
Barry Westling
I have yet to be able to take field trips with my students, but I do have a guest speaker for each class. I find that guest speakers offer solidification to the relevancy of the course and material to student's professional endeavors. The instructor can point out relevancy at each class time, but no matter how compelling or true this is, some students need to see actual real-world people that are not employed by the school put this in a proper perspective and therefore makes the relevancy or 'connection' of the course applicable to the students.
Raymond ,
Yes, and that reinforcement helps create continuity, trust, credibility and higher morale and excitement about the profession.
Barry Westling
Prepares the student what to expect in there feild of career choice and how you are expected to conduct yourself in a professional manner. Guest speakers really help put across what you have been lecturing students about in the feild of choice by hearing the same acountability you have been teaching the student to expect.
Keith,
Right! The "live, in person" experience is usually memorable and can motivate students more than most any other activity.
Barry Westling
I like to take my Students on field trips to let them see real operation in progress, to touch equipment... and to see it in person is a great learning tool.
Heather,
If I may, I would suggest that this guest was able to inspire, and provide an limitless opportunity for hope and optimism. These are internal driving forces. What a great service this speaker gave to your students.
Barry Westling
The guest speaker that I had recently did a great job of starting out encouraging the students in the importance of their future role in their career field. Then she went on to cover the topic that she came to speak about. She also encouraged the students to study more on their own areas of interest, since, with specialized knowledge, they could be an asset to their future employers. I think the students came away excited about some possibilities of focusing on their special areas of interest in their chosen career field.
Lillie,
I'm not surprised. A good guest speaker or field trip can really energize a class.
Barry Westling
we have found the teacher with the most educational and interesting guest speakers and field trip has the best class retention. the students get really excited hearing what others in their field has accomplished.
Jenny,
Yeah, lecture and lab at school is one thing, but taking an active part in the profession in real life settings is important. And when students can visualize themselves in work settings, they usually become a bit more motivated and inspired to do their best.
Barry Westling
For my Veterinary Technician students, field trips are a neccesity. Our students are able to practice new skills learned on patients that they wouldn't see everyday. Our students are required to complete skills set forth by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the field trips give them the opportunity to carry those out.
Reshona,
I've observed this too. Sometimes students will get inspired so much, because they have had only a vague idea about what their career education profession offers.
Barry Westling
I've found that many times students sign up to go on field trips just to get out of the classroom. On very rare occassions you will find that student that sees something while on the trip that sparks a new interest in the career and the instructor will see a change.
Jeff,
Getting students engaged in civic, community or fraternal organizations also teaches the value and importance of giving back and applying their education for worthwhile causes, separate from their own employment and career-oriented goals.
Barry Westling
I agree. Field trips can have a very tangible reward for the students involved. My class works with non-profits to provide content (photography) and support for various activities they are engaged in. This has resulted in student work being part of local, urban ad campaigns, freelance jobs and internships and a chance to network with working professionals. Days spent in the classroom with canned lectures are often the "vacation day".
Jennifer,
Whenever I am able to plan a field trip, I expect their will enjoyment and anticipation, both great results of an instructional activity.
Barry Westling
Susan,
The minds eye is powerful -- and seeing a real workplace setting makes for lasting memories.
Barry Westling
