Using guest speakers will introduce students to someone that is working in their field of study. This can help the students better visualize themselves after college, helping them to stick to their goals!
I haven't used a guest speaker yet. I just started teaching last year. I do see how getting a former student to come in & talk about their new career could be helpful.
A guest speaker helps the students understand what the real industry / work place is really like. (Testament, support, and back-up to the instructor’s instruction.) Even thought we do explain the industry a good guest speaker will give a different real life version.
The quality of the guest speaker will help with the instructor’s success.
there is a real life after school is complete;students want to know they'll find their niche in their chosen field.
Guest speakers are great to utilize in classroom because it gives the students a chance to ask questions that may not want to ask their instructor about the field or choice. Also, gives the student to may be think about other areas in their careers to try not just one particular area.
MMTC Roanoke, VA is a relatively new college (Jan 2011) and we're just starting to roll our some graduates. Most have secured employment and to have them come back to school and share their success would be a great boost for most of our students.
Hi Christinia,
I concur! Guest speakers add great flavor to the course. Students love hearing from outside professionals, and they love graduate guest speakers even more.
Patricia Scales
To break up the monotony is key! They have listened and listened and listened to the instructor; it's time to hear it from someone else!
I know that in the class that I just took over, the previous teacher had explained to them that being in the field is totally different from being in the classroom. The students didn't really listen until I told them!
Sometimes, after a while, the students tend to tune out, and it is refreshing for them to hear and see someone else!
I have found that using guest speakers is effective because students, at times, develop the parent child syndrome. They become familiar with their voice and their approach. It helps to break up the monotony of the class. Hearing a new voice and a new dynamic may reignite a dwindling flame.
Hi Class,
Having a guest speaker especially a graduate student that was in your class can be an inspirational and motivational to students who are about to quit or seems discouraged. This may inspire these type of students to try harder. Having a guest speaker express the accomplishments and how they succeeded in their career since they finished school can be more motivating then we think.
Hi Lauren,
I let my students know life happens with everyone, even me. Students need to know that others have struggles too, and they will get through those struggles.
Patricia Scales
Hi Ellen,
I agree! Guest speakers can certainly bring a lot of positivity to the classroom as well as motivation.
Patricia Scales
As our module said the students are having a difficult time and think that they can’t complete school. They think they are the only ones with problems. By having a guest speaker it allows those students to realize that others are going through the same thing.
I love bringing in guest speakers and the students do to. It's great when a guest speaker presents the same material but in a different way. I believe it helps the students realized just how important the information is for their future career.
This is a followup to my previuos post. I forgot to add that while I have not had guest speakers, I have been a guest speaker for a few schools myself and the studetns really enjoyed hearing my prespective as not a teacher but as a "peer"
A guest speaker can help the studetns see opportunities and get them excited about their end goal. It can help to redirect their attention and help them focus on the steps, courses needed to get to the end. A recent graduate can show them that others have had difficulties and still graduated and found employment.
Hi Ken,
I agree! Guest speakers can help keep the students motivated to keep their eyes on the prize.
Patricia Scales
They help you to see that they have succeeded so that you believe that you can also succeed.
To give them motivation. Especially if they were once your student and had similar challenges that they overcame.
Guest speakers may correct a student's inattention and revive their intrest in their choise of furture employment. This helps keep the end goal insight, and reinforce the main reason why they are in the classroom.
