A guest speaker can relate to the challenges that the students are currently facing a be a great example of what hard work and dedication can all them to do as a result of sticking with it and finishing the course.
Hi Matthew,
Great way to change the monotony by having a guest speaker. Guest speakers bring book theory to real life.
Patricia Scales
I believe guest speakers being reality back into the picture. They allow students to see the desired outcome of schooling and the end product. It can give them new motivation and rekindle the desire that may have been fading. Sometimes we all just needs to be reminded of the end goal.
Industry experience is vital for any class.Students always has fear and queries about the future careers. Someone from outside gives them an opportunity to ask questions, get an overview of what the job entails and also see what other new stuff and skills they need to learn before landing a nice job.
I find outside speakers very helpful. It helps me to then tie the presentation to the topics I am addressing in the course textbook.
They do enjoy guest speakers. its like getting to go on a field trip, only in the classroom. It is a different feeling for students and gives them a different perspective on what they can expect in their field.
I agree. I really need to incorporate more guest speakers in my classroom.
It was part of the course to have students return to campus at the end of externship to present their experience to the rest of the students. This not only held the externs accountable for externship experience, it was a motivator to the other students and was a good tool to start discussion!
Hi Ronald,
You are right! Guest speakers are priceless, and they bring so much into the classroom. Students love guest speakers and their positivity.
Patricia Scales
I think a guest speaker is a great motivator especially for those that are discouraged or about to quit.
I feel very strongly about guest speakers in the classroom. Although students are in the class learning the course material, there is still a tangible aspect missing from the learning process. Say a physician comes to the classroom to discuss heart valve replacements. He might bring with him artificial valves for or real preserved ones as visual aides for his lecture. Hearing information from an outside source in the "real world" for some people really validates the education they are receiving. They can listen to their instructors all day long, but to hear it from someone that is living it on a daily basis makes it real. You can think of EMT's, nurses, doctors, just about anyone with some real world experience. I think people with world experience are invaluable.
Hi Julie,
You are on point! Guest speakers can certainly put things in perspective for students. The guest speaker can let them know that their struggles are not unique to them. Struggles happen, but you can still be successful.
Patricia Scales
A guest speaker provides an opportunity for the students to see where their education can take them. It can also provide a real-life example of someone who may have possibly had the same struggles they may be having at the time, such as working while in school, financial or family issues,etc... This can give the students encouragement and inspiration to continue on and realize that they are not the only one's that had these same problems.
In reality if a person has made up their mind they are going to do whatever they want to, but a guest speaker may be able to help by explaining the career path they have chosen and how prosperous it could be
Hi Stormy,
Students enjoy hearing about one's success that sat in the same seat they are sitting in. Graduate guest speakers are the absolute best.
Patricia Scales
This is a great idea! Mentoring is a strong teacher. Providing an example of success that mirrors the current student's path is a great motivator.
It can remotivate the student by showing other ways how the material is relivant.
Hi Marketa,
I agree! There are so many positives to having a guest speaker. Guest speakers are like a breath of fresh air.
Patricia Scales
A guest speaker gives the student reassurance that with hard work and effort it’s possible to reach their career goal. Guest speaks can also help bring back some of the enthusiasm students tend to lose throughout the course.
It shows the students what they can achieve in career goals especially if it is a successful Former student
Many times students lose interest in their career path and/or studies because lectures can become dry, details necessary to learn to sucessfully complete a course can be boring. Even though classroom knowledge is necessary to the educational process, it does not fully represent the daily activities of the prospective career.
Discussion , presentations and/or inservices with professionnals in their chosen career provides experienes that enrich the didactic information expressed in the classroom.
I find labs are not only a way for a student to actively use knowledge imparted in the classroom but it also facilitates engaging conversation with adjuncts.
Dialog with those already in the field re-engage the student and re-ignite the thirst for knowledge. Guest speakers are intregal to developing a sucessful professional.
