Guest speakers are an invaluable asset to all students. It gives them an opportunity to have the relevance of presented material reinforced in a unique way.
Hi Jessica,
Yes they are a go! Students love hearing graduate guest speakers stories especially because it gives them a great sense of motivation that I can do this if she/he did it.
Patricia
Hi James,
Guest speakers are awesome! Students love hearing from them. Having guest speakers is a great way to add variation to the class.
Patricia
Hi Patricia,
Super! Great ideas to implement for my medical assisting review course. Guest speakers are priceless.
Patricia
I teach a respiratory review course. It's all about reviewing all they have learned to pass the boards. I have guest speakers all the time. A Doctor comes and speaks to them on chest xrays another teacher has a great lesson in hemodynamics. I have any instructors who I know have a great talk on any subject that will help them pass their boards. The students benefit from the seperate view points and expertise.
As an instructor in Criminal Justice, I find it invaluable to bring in guest speakers for the class. These individuals are employed in the field and give the students valuable feedback on what they encounter on a daily basis
I think guest speakers are very helpful in the classroom setting. I really love having guest speakers come and share their writing (especially my past students). It shows the students that they all have a story to tell and by using actual students, they'll know that they really can contribute to class.
It's nice to have students on their level tell them that it's possible and show them what they can accomplish. I can say it as many times as I want--repeat it every day and it will never mean as much because I am no longer in their shoes.
So basically, guest speakers are a go!
I like the thought of using guest speakers, as I have been a guest speaker in several classes. First it is nice for students to get another perspective on a subject. I personally love guest speakers who take an opposite position that I normally take. This can even set up great debates in class and really engage the students. Second, I like to get more people who work in the relevant field and have them talk about their work experiences. This can often times gives students contacts, and other options that will engage their specific desires.
The value of a guest speaker in talking with discouraged students is, encouragement. Guest speakers who are experts in the student's field of study is an instant motivator.
Our students have found much encouragement in the guest speakers we have provided for them. One in particular spoke about the challenges she faced as a student and inspired many by her later professional achievements; as she reiterated, "If I could do it, so can you!"
A guest speaker provides an additional viewpoint. Sometimes hearing the importance of a course from someone who is not seen as 'involved' or 'invested' in the course will be more motivating than hearing it from the instructor who, it would appear, wants everyone to like the course.
The value of a guest speaker talking with students who are discouraged or about to quit the course is that the student gets to hear the story of someone who has been in their shoes. Guest speakers are valuable to both the instructor and the student because there is always room to learn and improve. There is always something that can be learned from a person/persons who are on the outside looking in.
Our school had a motivational speaker who presented a personality workshop to help students understand why it hard for some people to work closely with others. This was a great way to get the students to get to know eachother and understand what the students expect of eachother as well as what their instructors expect from them. The students continue to discuss the different personality types and when two students have a conflict they always bring it up.
It can re-motivate students into different aspects of their program. I've found that this method can boost their enthusiasm by giving them real life look at their chosen field. They can also get feedback to their direct questions.
This is a great tool to utilize in a course as it not only breaks up the monotony of having the students hear just from the instructor, but it opens the students' mind when they can hear things from one of their own (alumni)or a relevent third party expert. Both of these add tremendous relevance to the topic or subject matter.
I was teaching a motor controls class in which a lot of the students did not see the relevance of how this class would help them get a job. After taking my students on a tour of a local business and meeting with different employees from that business, the attentiveness and excitement in the classroom was incredible!
Having a guest speaker is valuable. Students get to hear a different person with a different perspective. Sometimes I bring in a former student and show where they are today. This serves to encorage student performance. I have found it to be very helpful.
Professors should acquaint themselves with community business professors in order to bring in these practitioners to expand the lecture base and provide current best practices to students. I attend local meetings and chapters to foster bonds between the university and business community, and highly recommend this practice to all. The experience is invaluable to students. It’s surprising to see even the most silent students come up with questions to ask.
Reginald
I think so too. I like to bring guest speakers to my class because every term I get great feedback from students. They are able to see how the textbook theory get's applied in the real world.
A guest speaker brings "new" real world experience since some students see their instructors as being out of the workplace now. A guest speaker can sometimes reiterate something an instructor has said and the students will hear it as new. It is a win-win for everyone.
