I have just completed my second term and have had the privilege of using a couple of guest speakers as part of class topics. Using guest speakers and arranging field trips are a great way of giving students a small taste of what they will experience in real life rather than seeing it on television. It also makes the class more interesting and gives the students something to look forward to.
Students gain a deeper insight on 'real-world' experiences and can successfully identify with persons within their professional arena. It creates a sense of a shared connection.
I teach in the Criminal Justice Program and having guest speakers come to class and scheduling field trips allows the students to see and hear what it is like to work in their prospective fields
Hi Gregory:
What you are so aptly describing is that these activities can serve to renew interest in the topics you've been describing in class, and give them a fresh perspective on how the topics relate to the real world scenario.
Regards, Barry
Hi Anne:
Exactly! Renew their interest in the topics you've been discussing in class and bring a fresh perspective to them.
Regards, Barry
Hi Mark:
The nice thing about guest speakers and field trips is that they can renew interest in topics you've been describing in class and provide a fresh perspective to the student.
Regards, Barry
I've done these in several of my classes--and the field trips have really pulled all the content of the Radiography course into perspective with hands on application. It always triggers excitement with the students, they get to ask interactive questions of the staff and see patient care first hand.
I have at different times had a guest speaker and they have been received differently by each class depending on the makeup of each class. Some students are interested (or act like they are)and some of the other students act like they do not understand how the speaker's knowledge and information relates to them. I have not had the opportunity to take a class on a field trip, therefore I can not relate either way.
This can be a huge help, as the students can see the real world in operation and know what to expect and what is expected of them. Before the field trip begins give the students a check list of what to look for; Tattos showing, percings, professional dress, attitude, respect shown to other employees, and general operation of the business visited. Guest speakers are also very infomative, as they are still working in the field and have a lot of insight into what is expected of the graduates as they begin their journey into the workforce.
Hi Barabara:
And, these activities may bring a new perspective to the student that solidifies something you've been discussing in class.
Regards, Barry
Hi Brian:
The nice thing about field trips is that they may provide the student a brand new perspective about the topics you've been describing, which can strengthen their understanding that much further.
Regards, Barry
Hi Pamela:
These kinds of activities can absolutely serve to renew your student's interest in the topics you've been discussing, and like you mentioned provide a new perspective altogether which solidifies understanding of how information will be used in the real world.
Regards, Barry
Hi Dawn:
And, these kinds of activities may serve to renew the student's interest in the topics you've been describing in class, or like you identified, bring an entirely new perspective about it.
Regards, Barry
Hi Joshua:
Wow, in the scenario you're describing for your institution, it would be easy to see why students would clamor to participate.
In general, these kinds of tools (guest speakers) can really serve to renew interest in the topics you've been discussing in the classroom.
Regards, Barry
I think that career colleges can be an isolated island, hoping that our students have some work experience to give them a view of the industry. Field trips are great immersion experiences to help the student rekindle their excitement for the industry. I like to bring my students to high-functioning sites where they can observe truly excellent professionals in action, showing them a standard to reach for and achieve.
Guest speakers not only provide a new perspective, but often will repeat the same advice or encouragement that I have previously provided. I like that this shows the students that I am not just throwing out a rehearsed line, but am in fact trying to prepare them for the reality they will face upon graduation.
As a student, I can't recall ever having any good experiences with guest speakers. I guess teachers of my past were not made aware of how beneficial this information is. As an educator for Massage Therapy now, I understand how properly preparing your guest speaker helps keep your speaker updated as well as keeping the students "tuned in" and actively participating with the guest. I am eager to apply the information I have learned in this Module to my class and following the guidelines for a successful experience with a guest speaker.
As for field trips, I agree! I have taken one applicable field trip in my career and WOW what a benefit! Our school takes the students to a cadaver lab at the University to see the Anatomy and Physiology in a different (more real life) way. I would also like to take a field trip or two to different Massage Therapy businesses since there are so many different avenues for students to consider.
I believe this would help our students decide on how they will pursue future education in their career field. Some students we have need to see they are going into a health care professional setting.
I teach at a Culinary School and I bring in a guest to speak and have lunch with my class in the formal dining room. It is quite motivating and ensures my students with behave and focus while dining in the restaurant. A critique is required discussing both the meal and guests input.
Guest speakers give sstudents in the career college setting a perspective from the "real world," and ratifies what the instructors tell them in class about what to expect in the workplace.
"Choosing the right speaker" is essential, and it should be someone who shares your values and who will use their expertise to support what you are teaching. Regretfully, I once had a guest speaker who spent a great deal of their time telling the students how useless what they were learning was. He kept catching himself, and for each time that he said "ehh, that's a waste of time," he would counter with, "but while you're in school you should probably become familiar with it."
My worst experience ever, was when a Union Rep' came in and began using racial slurs in his presentation - this to a room of very diverse students. I was ready to jump out of my skin, but because I had not invited him, and he was there for Career Services, I bit my tongue. However, after the first five minutes I vowed that if he kept it up I was going to charge to the front of the room, grab him by the ear, and escort him out of the building. Fortunately, the person that was with him, stepped in and began leading the discussion, but that was simply outrageous.
