Tracy,
Sometimes students will become attracted to some part of the profession almost by accident when they hear something they didn't know they learned through the guest speaker or field trip experience. When I see motivation like that, it's really inspiring to me, and I know students feel like they received a value added training activity.
Barry Westling
I like the idea of having guest speakers from the field to speak to the class about what they can expect when they complete the course it tends to keep them focused.
Taking field trips and listening to guest speakers makes the career path that the students have chosen feel more 'real', not so abstract.
Katelyn,
You make a good point. I agree that many students may have only a vague idea about the scope and specific tasks involved in a given profession. Job shadowing may help provide a limited view and I think the success of the shadowing experience is dependent a lot on the person conducting the tour. In class, periodic field trips can provide something not available in routine class or lab, and become a motivating activity that excites and inspires students.
Barry Westling
Adam,
I agree, and also believe students can be so inspired by some things they might see during a field trip they might even begin to take their studies more seriously.
Barry Westling
I think field trips are important especially early on in the journey through college. I only read about my job field, I didn't see it in action until it was time for me to start my clinical rotation at the hospital and at that point I was already in my second year of school. Fortunately I like what I do and fit in well. Otherwise I may have wasted 2 years of my life if I waited to see what my job was like and then hated it.
Field trips and guest speakers are a great motivator. It allows the students to see the end result of all of their sacrifices and hard work. It also allows the students to network and make meaningful connections with potential future employers.
Jonathan,
This has been my experience as well. Students are excited when something different is added to class, something that provides a change in the routine as well as bringing something fresh related to the career setting the students are being prepared for.
Barry Westling
School can be a very exclusive experiences. Only communicating in a classroom, not seeing how the world functions once some graduates and gets into the work. Field trips and guest speakers brings the real world work force into the classroom, exposing the students to the reality that they will be joining once they graduate.
Holly,
Sine the PTA's probably have clinical experiences, a suggestion for a guest speaker for English might be a medical records specialist, a hospital discharge planner (who could spek to the importance of clear and accurate charting), or possibly even an attorney. Of course, you could ask the PTA program director to give the names of local PT managers who might be willing to come and speak also. Really, the possibilities are limited only to your imagination.
Barry Westling
How would you work a guest speaking into a GE class at Concorde? For example: I teach English to a group of PTA students. What kind of speaker would you recommend?
Adrienne,
When students can begin to see themselves actually working in a simialr work setting, that is often an "aha" moment, one that inspires and motivates, as they visualize latent hopes for a new and perhaps better future for themselves.
Barry Westling
I took my students on a field trip to see a clothing manufacturer in action and they were so enthralled. They asked questions and were excited to start sewing at school.
Tina,
Right! I think students sometimes have only a vague idea about some aspects of the profession they're studying for, and a good field trip can help focus the students attention on select aspects that they may have had no idea at all their work setting included.
Barry Westling
I also believe it keeps the eye on the prize as they can see what all of this work and studying is for. It gives them some excitement about what to expect out in the real world. My students love the field trips but we don't really have guest speakers, but after reading this I am excited to incorporate some guest speakers
Christopher,
I have always found the field trip experience an inspiring experience for my students. Sometimes, even marginal students will get motivated to buckle down after they realize "I'll soon be working in a simialr work setting". That's a powerful motivator.
Barry Westling
Kenneth,
Great! A good guest speaker can spark interest, motivate and inspire students beyond what they might receive in their classroom alone. It's not that the instructor is not doing a good job, but the brief break from the routine, a different voice, and supplemental information from an informed third party all contribute to a satisfying experience regarding the profession the students aspire to pursue. Thats why it's interesting to them.
Barry Westling
I think field trips are an exceptional part of the leaning process, especially for "career oriented" institutions. One of the biggest benefits is that students will get to see the working environment first-hand and gather additional understanding of how the lessons they learn will be used in the workplace.
Last term, I had a guest speaker who worked with hospital data give a presentation to a Registers and Statistics class. All the students are studying to become Health information management professionals. Her presentation drove home the importance of what they were learning and made the class relevant to their goals.
Jennifer,
Yes, students have their interest stimulated on field trips. I've always found there are always a lot of questions. Sometimes students feel more at liberty asking questions of a stranger, I don't know why. Could be there are areas they observe that gets them thinking up questions.
Barry Westling
