Students benefit from exposure to reality. Real world experiences are often more memorable...make more of an impact. They're excellent motivators for personal success and goal setting.
Hi Kham:
When classes meet regularly, most activities that involve something different such as an off campus field trip or in class guest speaker is usually welcomed and appreciated by students. You've mentioned a few the the benefits which I think are true. This is a great way to sustain motivation and create desire, interest, and expectation for students to anticipate as they near their completion.
Regards, Barry
Students will be more likely to stay focused and learn in a different setting when they are at a field trip. This creates more motivation for them to learn. Speaker pesentation is a benefit for the student to hear experiences from different perspectives.
Hi Shelina:
You've got a point that some topics are more difficult to use the field trip or guest speaker. This activity is a tool, and as a builder, not every tool is used all the time.
That said, for medical terminology, here are a couple of idea for speakers:
1. Try to find an experienced medical records transcriber who could share numerours blunders, misspellings, and maybe even a few humorous blunders they've encountered over the years.
2. Identify an experienced medical professional who has experienced years of reading poor handwriting, incorrect spellings, and examples where incorrect terminology led to mistakes or (possibly) medical errors.
3. If you are covering a specific organ system, you might find someone in your community who works directly or indirectly with at least some patients related to this organ system. They might have some experiences to share where they would utilize the terminology commonly encountered in that specialty system.
4. Some terminology referes to instruments, procedures, and disorders. How about getting a sales representive that sells related products, is a local expert in providing services (medical or non-medical person).
5. How about a longtime patient brought in to talk about their disease or ailment. You could coach the patient to make sure to mention certain terms, and have your students listen for key words that you could ask about later.
Perhaps some of these ideas will work for you, or will stimulate your thinking about resources for guest speakers.
Regards, Barry
I understand the importance in this and the learning applications for students who need to see a practical application to what they are being taught; but I find it hard sometimes to place these to thinks into action.
This is honestly the hardest thing for me. I excel with technology in the classroom, classroom management, and the different types of learners but making this practical application is hard for me. Take medical terminology what I am teaching now; how can I use either of these with my lesson plan?
Hi Virginia:
I really like scheduling field trips too. Sometimes, I see marginally motivated students become truly inspired, followed by a 180 degree reversal of their interest in the class and desire to do their best. I agree that a different environment or presenter can break up the norm, and students usually appreciate the change of pace.
Regards, Barry
Hi Carmen:
I think it's helpful to "assist" the guest by providing a list of current topics or areas of emphasis you want to make sure get covered. I don't mean telling them how to say it or portray it - that's the benefit of a fresh face and different perspective. I think when the speaker is cued into current topics, the students will realize what the teacher and school is emphasizing is realistic, and the discussion will reinforce current topics, more so than just some unrelated remarks.
Regards, Barry
this will help the students to get a better understanding of what will be the roles in the career they have choosen.
Hi John:
You've decribed quite a few benefits many students receive when they are scheduled for field trips or have quest speakers in class. I believe many marginal students could be turned around and really succeed given the motivation and inspiration often received in these environments. When someone can visualize themselves in a particulatr setting, I think that can be a real force for the student to try and make that happen.
Regards, Barry
The benefits are multiple. The chance to hear a guest speaker gives students a chance to hear someone actively working in the industry of their choice. The students will be able to hear accurate accounts of work schedules, normal working conditions, salary ranges that come from a source not connected with the school which gives them more credibility than someone in admissions quoting average salaries from tables.
Field trip gives a class a different chance to bond with classmates and teacher as well as getting out of the routine which usually is well received.
Hi Kate:
Great example that demonstrates how relatively simple to identify a field trip location that's relevant to the course.
Regards, Barry
Hi Cheyney:
I think the culinary teaching experience is a little bit unique and you are very correct that field trips where the students can view food preparation in the real world setting is an invaluable experience.
Regards, Barry
My students really enjoy field trips. I teach and wine class and I can't exactly show them how to make wine. So taking a trip to a local winery gives them a visual representation of what we discuss in class!
I have found that with the more technical aspects fo what we teach at a culinary school, the more the students are exposed to real-time procedures and methods the better they understand the material. It is one thing the describe butchery to someone; completely different when we can show them.
Hi Nancy:
I agree that field trips and guest speakers provide a dimension of learning that is difficult to duplicate. More than other instructional strategies, students often leave feeling motivated, inspired, excited, and perhaps more committed to doing their best in remaing classes or lessons. I don't of that many classroom experiences that consistently result in this outcome.
Regards, Barry
Hi Norma:
Good points. Every additional human resource beyond the asssigned teacher has the potential to share something of value. If we think like our students do, we could probably realize how many really effective speakers and alternate learning environments are right under our nose.
Regards, Barry
Hi Michelle:
Tongue in cheek, I'd say "do a lot of planning!". Seriously, you might try to contact recent grauates who have contacts in their newly found profession; product vendors are willing to demonstrate their wares; ask your vendors or past guest speakers for leads (and introductions). You might even look within your own institution for others that have some related or similar experiences to come and speak. Sometimes it's just a different person talking with the students that piques their interest.
Regards, Barry
Students learn in all different ways. Field trips are especially good ways to key into those students who learn in other ways. It is putting theory into practice, so students can see first hand how certain careers and processes work. Including guest speakers in the classrom increases the point of view that students are exposed to. Both of these activities makes the subject more interesting to students, and enriches their learing experience.
I agree, they may think they know what the work will be like, but until they actually observe people doing what the have studied about in the class room, then will they either become focused or surprised what awaits them in the real world.
And having a former student share their insight of what they went through can be shed a new light on the subject, instead of just hearing what the instructors have said. Some students really dont belive what we say sometimes, especially when chefs tell students that they will have to work harder and faster out there, or they may not have a job for very long.
I love the idea of using guest speakers, the challenge with our program is that it repeats every 6 weeks so it is difficult to have a consistant schedule and equal calibar presenters with so many classes a year. Any suggestions from those with similar schedules?
