It is a great value. I belong to numerous chambers and clubs that directly relate to management and retail. The students love meeting people who are already in careers they are interested in. Having them discuss their career, the wins and opportunities brings it all to light for the students. Many realize then that this is adult mode now and it's time to get serious. I have guest speakers in all of my classes at lease twice a term and I give extra credit for students going to mixers and chamber meetings.
Hi Jeremy,
Guest speakers are great motivators for many students. They add a lot of validity to various things the instructor mentioned in the class.
Patricia
A guest speaker who is respectable or well established can bring credibility to the course. A discouraged student is a student who typically fails to understand the significance of the course. Having a well placed guest speaker can remind or convince a student of how important that the course really is.
Guest speakers help the students to understand the field from the perspective of outside persons working in the field. Students are engaged, ask more questions, and can gain valuable experiences from an individuals personal successes and issues encountered.
A guest speaker can give students an insight into the types of professiona within their discipline of study. It may give some students another avenue to explore when looking for a job. It also may connect students with a resouce for an internship of part-time job while they are attending school. It also solidifies what an instructor is telling students by confirming that the information being taught will be used by them in a specific position.
Guest speakers can provide discouraged students with a different perspective on the class and help the student to see the relevance of the course content in the "real world." It can be powerful for students to interact with other professionals and with former students who have successfully transitioned from the classroom to the workforce.
Hi Christine,
Sounds real interesting! I teach a job readiness course, and I stress to my students it is just as important to keep the job as it is to get the job. Things must be done to keep a job...we discuss these things at length.
Patricia
Hi Nancy,
Mistakes are fine as long as you do not continue to make the same mistakes over and over, and you learn from each mistake.
Patricia
As an instructor I support the idea of bringing guess instructors in to the classroom. Reason being, they bring a different perspective to the subject that I am teaching. Also they can help motivate by possessing cultural or social economic links to help some of the disenfranchise students.
Hi Clifton,
I concur! Guest speakes can be very motivating as long as they are excited about their line of work.
Patricia
I have found that if we use guest speaker who have a true excitement about their line of work it can translate into excitement in the students. The presentations must be real and not the "pie in the sky" dribble that can be seen as false from the word go. A good guest speaker can add life to a faultering class or enhance a good class.
Setting up a guest speaker may be time consuming but it is well worth it. Students have the opportunity to ask questions of the speakers that will cement their understanding of course material or will allow them the realization that this field is not for them before they put too much time and effort into it.
Hearing anothers personal experience good and bad in their field can influence students. They learn that mistakes are not bad but a learning tool they can use. You move on and you never make the same mistake agian.
Hearing anothers personal experience good and bad in their field can influence students. They learn that mistakes are not bad but a learning tool they can use. You move on and you never make the same mistake agian.
I teach cosmetology and use guest speakers frequently. I believe this helps them learn what it's like in the real world salon. They become more familiar with what employers are looking for. I often bring in my sister, who is a teacher and HR person to explain what it takes to even get a job and keep it. We have great discussions. I also teach the student instructor's course and when she come to speak we talk about all kinds of situations in the classroom.
I teach in paraegal and criminal justice programs.I like to bring in guest speakers who are in the field that the students are interested in. They will talk not just about the subject matter but about the career path in the field. Many of my adult students want to know about job opportunities and what they can do to make themselves more attractive in that particular fields' job market. I've used police officers, parole officers, lawyers. All types of representatives in the fields that can give not only course relevant information but career relevant information as well. This gives the student an understanding of why the information and concepts being taught are going to be helpful not just to get a grade but into the future. Its something that is good for them!
Hi Rosemary,
Guest speakers can shed great light. It is good for students to hear from someone else other than the instructor all the time.
Patricia
Hi Stephanie,
What is your take on having guest speakers?
Patricia
I guess simplicity is the answer. The idea is to help students not motivated for math to change their mind about it. Any Chef does math! Thank you.
Guest speakers held to reconnect students to the the reason why they are doing the course in the first place. If the speaker is appropriate to the topic it can be very beneficial to the students.
