Within the program and colleg that I teach, we are encouraged to take field trips. This is not to be used as a substitution of class time or required learnng in the classroom but as a supplement to their learning experience.
I teach in a golf course management program and it is pretty easy to take field trips and have guest speakers come to the classroom. We are a small program and only utilize two or three instructors. Taking trips and having guest speakers allows the students to see the material we have been teaching in the classroom in action as well as placing a possible different point of view in front of them.
I think the most valuable benefit the students gain from thes activities is that are also networking with individuals or companies within the industr they want to pursue a career.
Hi Marcia:
Indeed - when students are at clinical, they get the chance to ask questions from people who are working in the field on the fly. Often times, discussions in the class are too conceptual, and the student can't think of a question becuase they haven't seen it in the flesh yet.
Regards, Barry
Hi Robert:
One thing students can do on these trips is gain an opportunity to speak with people in the field and get answers to questions in a completely different perspective.
Regards, Barry
Hi LaTasha:
Yes - seeing an aspect of the real world of work their entering can be truely inspiring!
Regards, Barry
There are many benefits to students going on field trips and hearing from a guest speaker. A student may believe strongly in what one teaches but may also need that reassurance that what they want to do with their careers is happening outside of the classroom with people who were once in their shoes. A former student from the school where you teach who is currently working in the field would work as a great guest speaker to help excite the students to be where they are after graduating. Also taking a field trip to a place where a former student is employed would help in the same way.
I will not use field trips! I would rather have a guest speaker come in to allow the students to be comfortable in thier setting.
The guest speaker can answer thier questions as well as talk to them about the subjects they are taking and feel comfortable about that.
Guest speakers also help students in knowing that they can also succeed in their careers.
So I would lean towrads Guest Speakers.
The greatest benefit is being able to hear first hand about the day to day opeations of the field work that you eventually want to be a part of. Class can prepare you, but doesn't teach you about the real world situation you see out on the field. Everything from trouble shooting to dealing with personalities can be conveyed more through life experiences then lecture.
They get a more visual way of learning and a oppurtunity to see there pofession in action.
Hi Cynthia:
I agree - real world or work-related field settings can very inspirating and convey to students a hope for something better in their lives. This can lead to better performance in class, too.
Regards, Barry
The benefit of field trips are a chance to provide a look at the real world . The students are able to see and hear success stories and challenges people face in the chosen field. We love to hear how business owners have succeeded and how important education can be in creating their success.
I like the idea of providing a support group of guest speakers in related fields so the students can see different paths for their career field.
Hi Lori:
Yeah, I really think field trips do alot of things when they're scheduled, such as improved morale, motivation, better attention span, better performance in class afterwards, and so on. Really good stuff here.
Regards, Barry
Field trips are a wonderful way to make course material come to life. Since my field is history, I think taking students to a local historic site that correlates to what is being taught is an incredible idea!! Students feel that history is coming to life if they are brought to an historic site and shown the parallels to what is being taught in the classroom. Besides, everyone likes a change of scenery now and again.
Hi Darlene:
Boy, I agree about the powerful impact good field trips or exceptional guest speakers can create for students. I think "a vision for a hoped for future" often becomes a reality in some students when inspired field experiences are planned. That internal spark can really influence students in a way that other learning activities cannot.
Regards, Barry
Field trips and guest speakers are a must with your classroom students. I make a planned trip every quarter which adds a very positive impact on my students. Our guest speakers offer expertise, experience and information that excite students. I feel using these tools to be a very powerful part of classroom instruction.
Hi Shanna:
In my opinion, reinforment hardly breaks the skin on the great significance good field trips can provide. Sometimes, whole careers can be molded from hust a few inspired words experieced during a field trip.
Regards, Barry
Hi Becka:
The cool think about graduates as guest speakers is they are usually more enthusiastic. That helps create a unique energy.
Regards, Barry
Hi Mark:
I think few activities have the significance that a well planned field trip can provide. Students retain the information and remember the experience. Field trips are very strong learning tools.
Regards, Barry
Hi Stephanie:
Yeah...that "in action" can be remarkable in turning students interest and attention to the importance of their studies and profession they've chosen. I can think of few activities that have as much power and influence as a good field trip. (But a wonderful teacher can never be emphasized too much).
Regards, Barry
Hi Timothy:
Every time you can get students to a job site or a work-related setting, or even getting a guest speaker, the students will pay more attention and retain more of what they see and hear. This activity has an amzazing abilty to capture student interest and attention.
Regards, Barry
For my classes (HVAC/R) Field Trips make the students aware of the physical elements of the job. The photos from the book now have size and feel to them. They can hear, feel, smell, and see the equipment.
Guest speakers can re-enforce what the regular instructor is saying. They will learn in the HVAC/R field they challanges and issues are the same from job to job and company to company - as I like to remind the - only the name on the door changes. You need to learn the basic theory, the trade skills, and ability to logically walk through the unit operation. Then you can be successful in the field. A home air conditioner works like a hotel air conditioner.
