I am all for field trips and guest speakers because a) they get the students focused on their career choice, and b) it's something different, something unusual, a break in the monotony of students hearing my voice. This gives them time to reflect and validate things I've said as well, and realize that "Old Huisman might not be as crazy as I thought."
Even a short field trip (on campus to a different area) can be constructive for both a) and b) above. In computer classes, I always took them to the server room and had our IT administrator talk his way around the room. Two birds - one stone. Also, find out what other departments are teaching throughout the term - maybe it's an appropriate discussion to have your group sit in. Again, two birds...
Timothy,
You're right, there is only so much discussion or stories about the real workforce that can occur in a classroom seetting. A good field trip can really open the eyes of some students who have only a vague idea of what the career area consists of.
Barry Westling
Field trips and guest speakers bring reality to the classroom. One of the subjects I teach is Environmental Science. I have a field trip to a evironmental museum near the end of the term, the students experience real environmental applications to the subject matter they have learned in class.
Edward,
Right. Real world. And it's interesting that students are often very bold in the frequency and pointed type of questions they'll ask (perhaps because it is sort of anonymous), and therefore, answers to probing questions can incite a motivation to do well in class, unlike almost any other activity.
Barry Westling
Asside from the change of pace the field trip provides, the students have a chance to see the real world in action. Since answers to their questions come from an unbiased third party, there is an air of authority in them. What is best is that they get to see the equipment they are learning to use in action and begin to understand that they will need to be able to operate that equipment also.
Michelle,
Yes, and I find that students are more apt to pose probing questions in these environments than they might in their regular classes. Perhaps they feel more anonoymous in these settings and therefore more comfortable asking.
Barry Westling
I find that it motivates and gets the students excited to study and learn. It raises excellent questions and helps them focus on their goals
Joseph,
I think graduates as guest speakers are good for several reasons including their familiarity with the program and school, their enthusiasm, and their ability to relate to students more as "one of them".
Barry Westling
December22, 2011
I can relate to inviting guest speakers and the field trips. With the course that I teach, we rarely get to have individuals from our industry come in to speak as they are all working and it is difficult for them to get ‘free’ time.
What we do have is visits from graduates. These are graduates anywhere from weeks out to years working in the industry. Both are so very beneficial.
The recent grads are willing to share their own trials and tribulations of pursuing their graduation dates. They share so many things that went wrong, went okay and went right. Somewhere in that list, the current students can relate.
The ones that have been in the field for a while share all of the exciting things that they get to work on as well as the personal gratification they get every payday.
The field trips we take the students on are large sites or shops where they get a ‘tour guide’ and get to see all of the employees in action, up close and personal. It has been very fortunate with us staying in contact with our industry to allow us to make these trips.
JFO
Yvonne,
Yes, and often students feel comfortable asking very pointed questions to off-site presenters, where perhaps because of familiarity, they might feel comfortable to ask in the classroom, or they arn't stimulated to ask based on the topics. In any case, field trips are a great experience.
Barry Westling
My students look forward to off site trips. This gives them an opportunity to see the "real world" of what they hear from the instructor and read in their text book. This gives them the opportunity to ask questions of a "real person".
Many times the "real person" can suggest what else is out their on their career path.
Kenneth,
I'm sure available dollars is an overarching limitation in many schools these days. Ways I have found to maximize the guest speaker is using vendors, product representatives, and recent graduates who are successfully working in the career area. Although inexperienced, they bring an enthusiasm that more seasoned workers may not demonstrate. Also, they are familiar with the school and the classes, so they can bridge the world of school and the working world in their presentations. Students sometimes relate to recent grads as "one of their own", and therefore get more out of the graduate-as guest-speaker experience.
Barry Westling
I agree, in fact I like to encourage and use field trips to reinforce what is being taught to the students and make them aware of what is out there. I see them as a great learning tool and aid, but unfortunately there is the issue of money in my district, there is never enough to do what is needed to engage and enhance student learning. So we have to do what we can and that is bring in guest speakers to try and fill that void left out by no field trips.
Terri,
So many students I've had remarked the field trips they took were among the most memorable and enjoyable. I suppose each students had their own reasons, but, I've come to the conclusion students like field trips and guest speakers and get something from these activities they feel is helpful to them. Personally, I feel they are powerful activities and should almost be required activities in any career-oriented class.
Barry Westling
The benifits of guest speakers and field trips to students is very valuable. It gives students the opportunity to see what they are learning in action. It gives the availability to see "products" that might not be available in their learning institution. It will keep the students focused forward on their end goal of graduation.
Kenneth,
Internalized visions of hope and the prospect for a better future can be one outcome of a good field trip. Rarely do I see poor or negative responses following a field trip activity. Rather, students can be motivated and perhaps stimulated to perform better in the classroom as the result.
Barry Westling
I agree if they get to see or hear about the career they are interested in then you can get them to open up more and get more feedback and this will enable you to gear your course or class more toward the path. Or you can guide them to reach their goals in alternative methods.
Kenny,
Sometimes a guest speaker will compliment or add to some point we've made. One strategy is to ask the guest speaker "would you please mention...XYZ?" That way, you'll know information will be mentioned. Also, sometimes conflicting information about some segment may be mentioned. This same strategy can be helpful.
Barry Westling
The best thing about field trips and guest speakers is that the students hear from professionals in the industry the exact things we are telling them in the classroom. The students most times believe we are telling them things because we have to, but when a professional comes in or when they see professionals in the field, then it means more to them.
Hi Naoufel,
Good points. You've made an interesting point about students "marketing" the program, sort of like ambassadors for the profession. Good field trips can be an amazing eye opening experience for students who only have a vague idea about what they're getting themselves into. Often, this can be life changing!
Barry Westling
