In my experience, many times students will believe the "uncle" before they believe the parent. Many times I will prep the speaker to let them know what the students have covered and what role their lecture will play in reinforcing the lesson.
I found having a guest speaker very effective. I encourage my graduates to come by and discuss their experiences in the classroom and on externship. The current students really get involve and ask the graduates lots of questions.
Hi Madelyn,
Guest speakers are an excellent resource. Students get so excited when they know a guest speaker will be coming.
Patricia
A guest speaker can be of value not only to encourage the student to stay but to motivate the class in general.
I am a chef instructor, so if we bring in other chefs , perhaps a demo or a converstation the students are enthralled. If they were feeling overwhelmed, they can see and talk to somebody who has done it. I think it is very uplifting for the students
The personal life experience on both professional work activities and personal life events is so important to students who don't see the full picture of life. It is an eye opener for students and me as the instructor to understand a an individual who has just completed the school program into a professional job and its expectations.
Hi David,
Hearing a different voice is always a good thing. It means more to the students whenever the guest speaker echoes what was said by the teacher.
Patricia
It lets them hear a new voice of knowledge and how the real world works
I think it lets them know someone cares. It gives them the forum to speak their minds. It can redirect them and get them refocused.
I think it can be very invigorating. Students sometimes lose focus on why they're in school in the first place. Bringing in a guest speaker can motivate them and refocus them to achieve.
Hi Susan,
Yes. You have it! What a great way to inspire students! Students testamonies are encouraging!
Patricia
This is a good tool for motivation. I use this a lot with my classes. I think that most students who are discouraged feel alone. When they see a peer, some one like themselves with similar issues making it or who has walked in their shoes and come off successful the person is more credible and this gives a powerful reason for the student to beleive that if they did it then they can to.
Hi Robby,
Guest speakers are very motivating. Students get to hear what you have been telling them from someone else. Guest speakers help validate things.
Patricia
guest speakers bring the real life career into your classroom. if a student enters a program and never seen what the field looks like. the guest speaker may paint a picture of what an average everyday lifestyle would be. this will give the student a realistic idea of what to excpect.
I had a guest speaker... a student who had just passed her certification exam... my current students enjoyed and learned from her information... I think guest speakers are a valuable asset...
Guest speakers do motivate students. It gives them first-hand information on their future careers. I teach court reporting, so I try to get speakers that are active reporters working in court as well as deposition reporters. Some of my students have never seen an actual court reporter working. I am now trying to get a judge to speak to the class. What I feel it does is makes them realize that their goals can actually be fulfilled. They always seem to take it to the class and the students usually are motivated to the point where they produce better test scores.
While inviting a guest speaker SME to your class can work, it can also backfire. Be sure of the presentation/oration skills prior to the actual class. If properly vetted, the SME can present "what's in it for me" to the struggling student. If not properly vetted, you can add a few more students to the problem list!
Greg
Hi Adrian,
What a response! You are on point! Guest speakers really provide vailidation as to things that were discussed in class. You are right, guest speakers are a breath of fresh air.
Patricia
Hi Patricia,
I think guest speakers can be a very good tool to encourage students in their career goals. A good guest speaker will encourage, and give inspiration to a student who may need that extra "push."
I feel that the value they provide is of huge amount because some troubled students need to hear advice from an outside perspective. It gives them someone else to help relate with other than their instructor because they don't interact with thema as often. Usually when I see students that are discouraged about their outlook in the their field of choice, I bring in past graduates. It usually uplifts them and provides a breath of fresh air for them to restart.
Hi Bonnie,
Guest speakers are fabulous! They really can add light to the class. It is good for students to hear from someone else other than the instructor.
Patricia
