Hi Scott:
And, these kinds of activities are a great way to help renew interest in topics you've been discussing, as well as offer fresh perspective.
Regards, Barry
Hi Heather:
Guest speakers and fields trips absolutely serve to renew interest in the topics as well as bring a fresh perspective about something in the field. Something to think about for some situations (not all are practical) is to suggest a student go do this on their own, job shadow, or talk to someone in their field and return to class and discuss their findings.
Regards, Barry
Hi Barbara:
In additon to helping the student gain a fresh perspective about topics you've been describing, it may alos help them formulate new questions that they otherwise would not have thought of before seeing it before their eyes.
Regards, Barry
Hi Carly:
The great thing about field trips is that they may offer a fresh perspective to the student and help them to better understand a topic you have been describing in class.
Regards, Barry
Hi Kathy:
These kinds of activities are a great way for the student to get a fresh perspective on something the instructor has been describing in the class.
Regards, Barry
Hi Michael:
The great thing about what you are describing, or just using these devices in general is that they offer the student a different perspective than what you describe in class, which might help them understand a topic in a much deeper sense.
Regards, Barry
Hi Patricia:
Exactly! Students will get the chance to have a fresh perspective about the topics you've been discussing, and, may also speak to people in the field they are studying.
Regards, Barry
I am teaching psychology, but at my career college it is only a general education class - my students aren't majoring in psychology. That being said, I am interested in bringing in a guest speaker (a psychologist friend of mine) but am not sure what to have him discuss. I think it would be beneficial for students to hear a different perspective other than mine, but it is such a general class I'm not sure what to have him focus on. Any ideas?
I think its a wonderful idea because then the students can actually see what the job is all about. They also get to see and listen to people who are still working in the field and can ask questions and get answers from someone other than they're teacher. It's kinda like being a parent, you're kids think you don't know anything but let someone else they don't know come and tell me that exact same thing you just told them and they believe that other person. Go figure!
Its good because not only they see it from another perspective but they get a feel for the atmosphere that they are going to be working in. They get the excitement plus the seriousness of their job. They will realize how all the the training and learning they are receiving comes together and everything that was taught to them was taught for a reason. Simply put, it adds a ton of value to the classroom time.
Hi Doris:
Like you wrote, these kinds of activities can be great for remotivating student interest in topics you've recently discussed. If the class is indeed a career based course, then having a different perspective about the topic matter from a person who works in the field may be a boon to their ability to understand the material.
Regards, Barry
I am also employeed for an ophthamology clinic and I invite my coworkers as guest speakers to my class to speak about their "real work" experiences--everyone from the receptionist, insurance biller/coder, file clerk, and medical assistant. This has proven to be something my students enjoy!
I feel that when you take the students out of their comfortable surrounding and place them in a setting they are really unfamiliar with but interested in they are more likely to pay attention to everything including "the small things". You have to keep things interesting when learning change up the way things are taught, use different methods to keep the students interest and if you are able to expose your students to a field trip to tying everything together this is great!!
I find that it is helpful for students to approach the material from a slightly different vantage point- hearing the insights of a different speaker or going on a trip (such as to see their skills being implemented in the field) may help them to grasp concepts that eluded them in lectures and reading.
The benefits students get from taking field trips are they get to see the real deal in action, and also get a real feel for what they will be doing. It also helps them to see that the things that we tell them or ask them to do are relievant. The benefits of listening to guest speakers are a different voice on the subject, students get so use to us or our voice, that its good to have a fresh voice on subject. It should also reinforce what you have been saying all along.
Hi Debbie:
These kinds of activities may help give the student a fresh perspective about the topics you've been discussing in class.
Regards, Barry
Hi Nancy:
Exactly, to paraphrase you - it gives the student a fresh perspective and may serve to renew their interest in the topics you've been discussing.
Regards, Barry
Hi Beth:
This is especially helpful to students studying a career course of some kind and shows them what their day may be like/what kind of scenarios they may find themselves in.
Regards, Barry
Hi David:
Field trips and guest speakers may also show the students a fresh perspective about topics you've been covering in class and renewing their interest in those topics at the same time.
Regards, Barry
Hi Marilyn:
I think field trpis are very cool! Students get motivated and inspired in way unlike most other instructional methods provide.
Regards, Barry
