Guest Speaker Pitfalls
I have had some wonderful experiences with guest speakers over the years. However, I had one experience where the guest speaker decided to totally deviate from the topic and actually created extra work for me later by trying to explain some of the issues and topics he brought up that really was not in line with what the textbook and ethical principles went by. I still use guest speakers, but I am always a little nervous.
I appreciate the advice of having a back up plan.
My guest speaker rules
1. Interview or know what the guest speaker is going to present.
2. Let the guest speaker know well before who the students are and what YOU expect of the speaker
3. DO NOT leave the class while the guest speaker is up.
4. Be ready to guide the speaker back on task if he/she strays
Hi Chris:
Good case for having a back-up plan.
Regards, Barry
I had a guest speaker I regularly used and he always did an excellent job. He kept the class engaged and talkative; they always asked him a ton of questions as well.
The last time I had him scheduled he no call no showed. I repeatedly tried to call and text him to no avail. He later told me his doctor had him on new medications starting that day and "he forgot" and didn't realize until later that evening, yet I called many times around noon.
The main point I am trying to make is that he always did such a good job so many times in a row that I didn't prepare what to do in case he didn't show up. I got caught offguard and the class could easily tell. Just because you trust your guest speaker and he does a good job, make sure you have a back up plan! I was further confident he'd show as he was a good friend of mine as well. I no longer use him as a guest speaker.
I have had a similar experience with a guest speaker. However, after the speaker presented I focused on what was important for the students to know and understand. I used some of the speakers suggestion that were not in line with safety and industry standards as examples how guidelines vary by place of employment and reinforced OSHA, State law, etc have ultimate say on what we do in our career fields.
