Employer / Guest Resources
I love to bring Guest Chef's into the classroom to speak so that the students can see the relevance of what they are learning in class. Of course, I, as their instructor, am going to tell them it is important to learn all of the material but when they hear it from an outside source, they tend to really listen up and understand.
I use guest lecturers as well. Always people in high places in the field and usually with experience teaching. I often will find one with experience that will expand on a subject that is more abstract, or where resources are limited. For example, when teaching integrative therapies, I bring in a veterinary acupuncturist and have an animal worked on as they lecture. Totally reenergizes my class.
Bring a guest to your classroom that has experience working in the field of your study has added values to the student, the classroom, and the school. Students experience first hand with professionals who are expert in their field and is able to given vital information to the students for future growth.
I utilize giuuest speakers often in my class. An engaging speaker gives studnets real life asecdotes and offers the opportunity for insights into a career choice or the realities of that career. It also offers studnts a chnace to ask questions that I may no be able to answer or would answer differently.
I bring students who are out on extern or who have been hired while on extern to talk with my students and they have excited about the material and hands on experience they are receiving.
Charles,
I agree. As I mentioned earlier in the discussion thread, the "appeal to authority" concept is prevalent in education and can be used as an effective tool for instructors. This is evident in guest speakers, as well as using "pop-cultural" references as examples, during lectures.
Tremayne Simpson
Having a guest come in and talk to the class about the subject matter and how it relates to their career is alwyas good. I do it and enjoy watching the students faces as they suddenly understand that what I have been lecturing about and "harping" about is something they will need. Having a guest speaker many times re-enforces what the instructor has been telling the students and helps with the rest of the course.
Yes, Guess lectures add a n excitement to the classroom, to have someone in the field currently come and give the students insight as to what they can expect upon graduation.
Guess lectures also can help keep up on the newest and most current technology just out in the field.
That is so true. I am also teaching culinary arts, and it always benefits students to hear from professional from the industry. They can relate what they learn to the real life industry. sometimes formers students and graduates stop by the school to visit and say hello,I always ask them to say few words to my class to motivate them and give them few words about what it is like after they pass the class, graduate, and know what they are supposed to know.
Sara,
I agree. Sometimes the student wants to hear from another "voice", other than their instructor, in order to accept a concept. It's why the advertising world uses the "appeal to the authority" concept with ads...when it comes to buying products. Individuals are not interested in hear an orthapedic surgeon tell you that a basketball shoe is a good product for you, instead they would much rather hear it from Michael Jordan.
Tremayne Simpson
Sara,
I agree. Sometimes the student wants to hear from another "voice", other than their instructor, in order to accept a concept. It's why the advertising world uses the "appeal to the authority" concept with ads...when it comes to buying products. Individuals are not interested in hear an orthapedic surgeon tell you that a basketball shoe is a good product for you, instead they would much rather hear it from Michael Jordan.
Tremayne Simpson
