Hi Christy:
I agree and believe one ingredient that makes these experiences memorable is because there is a human connection to the work setting, and that brdiges the students interests with what the speaker has to say. DVD's can do something similar, but because they're fixed, the abilty to ask questions of the presenter is prevented.
Regards, Barry
My students seem very excited about guest speakers. I have found that no matter what the experience level of the speaker, the students tend to remember their words quite strongly (even if I have told them the same thing before) because of the novelty of the learning situation.
Instructional DVDs from industry experts also work great!
Hi Michael:
Yes, visualization is a powerful motivator, as the abilty to effect it's fruition lies within all of us. Thanks!
Regards, Barry
Hi Michael:
Great list. Students remember field trips and often are moved by guest speakers. Most classes could do more field trips and invite more guest speakers to class for more meaningful classes.
Regards, Barry
Wow, Barry! I forgot about the power of visualization. That whole concept was presented to me several years ago. A person who had already ascended to a level, professionally speaking, that I aspired to, advised me to visualize myself where I wanted to be doing the things that I dreamed of doing. She said that doing so (visualizing), in conjunction with preparing for my eventual success would make the time fly by and make the effort seem simple. I can say, years later, that she was right!
The benefits are many. I will list a few.
(a.) Field trips help to break the monotony of sitting in a classroom week in and week out. A well-timed change of scenery may be just what is needed to keep the students interested.
(b.) Guest speakers offer, aside from the obvious, networking opportunities. Typically, at some point during or after the speaker's presentation, he/she provides the students with business cards. That simple gesture can be the springboard to a very robust network of professional contacts.
(c.) Finally, field trips assist the instructor in making "sense" of the sometimes abstract concepts and principles that are discussed in the textbooks.
Hi Tim:
How about a recent graduate? Would they be considered a guest? If not, they may be able to shed some nuggets of inspiration to the current class about their personal experience first as a student,, and now as a graduate. Current students may relate to the new grad more as one of their own, and perhaps be more open to them.
Regards, Barry
Hi Shereene:
You're, right, students really enjoy the field trip and or guest speaker experience. Facination about the the students future career seems to to capture their attention and may motivate them to study harder afterwards based on the activity.
Another factor is many students have only vague ideas about the work setting. Also, as they visualize themselves in these settings as graduates, they can be inspired. Genaerally, classes ought to schedule more speakers and field trips, because they are a unique and memorable experience.
Regards, Barry
Our couse content is determined by a manufacturer and does not allow the extra time needed to bring in a guest speaker. As for a field trip, we don't have transportation for students to all go. If we had those opportunities I think both would be of value to connect students with the outcome of the traning.
By taking fields trips students are able to see that the courses they've taken are placed into practice. They will view the hands-on experience that can be manifested from such knowledge. Guest speakers bring the work feild into the classroom, so students can see that the course is relevant to their success in their desired field.
Hi Brandon:
As a guest, we would hope the guest speaker would be willing to defer to the teachers wishes.
One way to handle this is to demonstrate you're in charge. Discussion beforehand is vital. When the speaker arrives, ask them them to sit until you're ready to introduce the next "activity". You may introduce the speaker and state the exaxt points you've discussed beforehand in your introduction. Also, you can ask the class to give the speaker their attention, and rather than interrupting, you'll moderate questions at the end.
Questions are an important component of the guest speaker experience, so we want to encourage them. Just stand in speakers position so as to have the questions come to you. Then, maybe you can rephrase the question to the speaker. Both student and speaker soon get a claer picture whose in chargre.
Regards, Barry
Hi Chastity:
I agree - guest speakers bring a special kind of knowledge and learning experience to the classroom.
Good speakers can motivate, inspire, and energize a classroom full of students. When a student begins to visualize themselves in the work setting, for many, that sets off an amazing internal drive to do better in order to create a better future for themselves. Not too many class activities have that powerful and meaningful outcome.
Regards, Barry
Hi Kristine:
What a wonderful and applicable assignment! Very creative.
I think field trips are a valuable but underused form of instruction. Of course, we can't a(and shouldn't) do it every day. But students receive so much when they are scheduled, and these are memories that stay with the student, more so than similar information presented in the classroom. The exception is when you have a guest speaker which I think has a similar positive effect on students. They enjoy these because it provides a glimpse into the real world of work, which may not be a reality for some until the can visualize themselve doing the the actual work.
Regards, Barry
Hi Marianne:
Yes, a field trip can be a most eye opening experience! Many students will benefit simply because they only have a very vague or innacurate idea what workers in their profession do. And seeing workers in action can provide a lesson that's quite memorable and meaningful - as you point out - more than one could get from a book.
Regards, Barry
In my experience guest speakers have an abundance of knowledge to share with the class. Students have the opportunity to hear personal experiences, and ask questions relating to those experiences as a means to gain a deeper insight to their field.
They actually get to see what the REAL WORLD is like. We teach them to pass a test, but they also need to know how to interact with fellow co-workers and that everything is not always by the book.
Marianne Ives
Field trips can be very benefical to the student. I taught wine and beverage class. At the end of the session we would go to a local wine shop . Here the students had a paper to fill out regrading, vintage, vinter, country, ect..This assignment helped to put into prospective the past 3 weeks of work. They could apply the knowledge they had learned.
Hi Patricia:
Most students get excited when they attend a field trip or a good guest speaker visits their class. Students get to ask questions they never thought of asking, and the opportunity to merge a little closer to the real work setting their being trained for helps to motivate and contribute to better student performance in the class afterwards.
Regards, Barry
Hi Richard:
I imagine it's great having clinical most of the time. By contrast, when students are in the classroom, there's a limit on how much reality can be brought into the discussion. I think that's why using guest speakers, but particularly scheduling field trips can be meaningful for students.
Many students are vague about their future until they see real workers in the work setting doing interesting work. That can be a great inspirational and motivational factor.
Regards, Barry
The coding students are encouraged to join the AAPC organization and often will attend the monthly AAPC local meeting as a field trip. This field trip provides networking and learning opportunities. Motivational Guest speakers empower studnets to achieve thier career goals.
