Students gain a deeper insight into how information learned is applied, in a "real world" setting. Some of the mystique of the work environment is dealt with through explanation or observation. This in turns can boost the confidence of those striving toward a goal. It is encouraging to see or hear how others have achieved in a student's area of interest
Hi Michael:
I really believe in the power of the field trip, and to a lesser extent, the guest speaker. But both activities can inspirae, motivate, and grab the students interest in a way tat few other methds can. Students can picture themselves in the work setting, better off, and more hopeful.
Regards, Barry
Field trips and guest speakers give students first hand practical knowledge about the field of study that have chosen. The will gain insight into things such as physical requirements, working conditions, pace of advancement, importance of professional certifications if any are available.
Field trips allow students to see what happens in the real world. We don't go out often but we do have guess speakers. We also allow our extern students to come in and discuss their extern experiences. It is especially important when the extern is hired by their sites.
We make sure to include at least one demonstration a term by a guest chef as it ignites alot of excitement and intrigue amoungst the student body. We also make them available to the entire student body which is highly benificial. The students get the chance to see and try something new as well as build a relationship with someone in the field as it is always used a chance to network with chefs in the industry, leading to potential exterships or even jobs.
Hi Cindy:
Field trips can be an effective way to renew the student's interest in a topic you've been discussing, especially if the site will be similar to a place they will work after the schooling is over.
Regards, Barry
Hi Todd:
True, field trips, and maybe even guest speakers might be impractical for every situation. In general, theycan serve to increase the interest and overall knowledge a student walks away with about a topic you are discussing in class.
Regards, Barry
Hi Amy:
These kinds of activities are especially great if the student gets the chance to speak with someone in the field they are studying. This type of interaction will undoubtedly result in a fresh perspective of the topics you've been discussing in class.
Regards, Barry
Hi Bradley:
In addition, if the student gets the chance to speak with someone that works in the field they are training for, they may get a fresh perspective of something you've been discussing in class.
Regards, Barry
Hi Amy:
Additonally, if the students get the chance to speak to someone, they may get a fresh perspective about the job, and topic matter you have been recently discussing in class.
Regards, Barry
Hi Melissa:
Indeed, these kinds of activities can offer the student another perspective about the topic matter you've been discussing. It's also great if they get a chance to speak with someone in the field they will be pursuing.
Regards, Barry
Hi Keveka:
THe nice thing about trips is that they can also give the student a chance to speak to others in the field and get a fresh perspective about a topic you've been describing in class.
Regards, Barry
Field trips help my students get excited about the field they are in. It keeps them motivated. Guest speakers bring a view different than my own. Students really seem to like the change in speaker from myself to a guest speaker.
These are ideal ways of making theory become real. On a field trip students get to see a real working environment and examples of where/how classroom theory is applied. Guest speakers can be a tool to renew a student's interest in their field of choice.
The field trips bring excitement to what the students are doing. This helps them keep their momentum through a 2 year program. It breaths life life back into a mentally tired student.
Hi Barry,
I currently teach an Introduction to Corrections course online. Each quarter I organize a prison tour field trip for my students. Because this is an online course and not all students are local, it is optional. I am surprised at how many students attend this field trip each quarter. I have students who travel lengthy distances to attend.
I noticed this not only gives students a "real world" perspective of what it is like to have a career in corrections, but yet it also develops a sense of community among students. Because they are online students, they rarely get to interact with each other. This field trip allows for them to meet each other in person and many of them maintain this friendships throughout the course.
Thanks,
Sarah
I agree helps the student see how all there classroom work ties in with real world trades there are studing
Guest speakers that are graduates are the best reinforcement and motivator for someone embarking on their career
real world experience and examples
Hi Amy:
Good point - instructors should accent the course with guest speakers, not use them to teach the course.
Having a guest speaker here and there throughout the course is an effective method. How can one expect students to learn some of the didactic course work if all they have is guest speaker after guest speaker?
Regards, Barry
