At the school were I teach, we have weekly guest speakers. This has benefitted many students who have been on the fence and pushed students to go the extra mile who are not in danger of quitting.
It provides a new perspective on the related career field. It allows them a chance to speak and ask questions in a different environment.
It excites them to hear that they too can accomplish their goals and dreams. These speakers have all been in their shoes so it a very positive situation to hear your future speaking back at you.
I've always thought of having guest speakers from the professional side come to talk to the class. This approach of having those who have made it through despite difficulties, or those who wanted to quit yet stuck it out is a great idea.
Hi Jason,
Guest speakers are valuable, and they really bring real life into the classroom.
Patricia Scales
I think guest speakers can really reinforce how relevant the class may be to the working world.
Hi Tami,
Guest speakers can really put the spark back in the fire for students.
Patricia Scales
I agree with the guest speaker idea as well. When reading that I immediatley thought of a student I graduate with. She is out working in the field and doing well. Where I was working in the field and am now teaching. So my students would be able to see the many ways they could go after graduating.
Yes it gets the students fired up all over again making them go back to why they enrolled in the first place
Bringing in a guest speaker is a great way to change up the class. Our students really enjoy just having someone different teaching the class. Guest speakers can bring a different viewpoint, show the importance and the excitement of something new in the chosen career field, give an idea of the prospects that are available in the future. The opportunity for a student to see real people working in the field that they want to get into can give them motivation.
i agree with this too. when the students have a guest speaker in their field that likes what they do that will get them to enjoy it better and get more enthusiastic about their field. i know it did for me and i didnt need no guest speaker to tell me about the medical field i found it interesting and challenging that i can have a difference on a persons life.
When using guest speakers, many students have appreciated the speaker taking the time to come and lecture for them and ask any questions they have. Most have commented that the speakers reassured their choice in attending the program and reiterates discussions we have had in the classroom.
I feel that, when a guest speaker comes into the class, that it get's the students motivated to work hard and can re-light the flame that got the discouraged student interested in the class in the first place. Also, it gives them more encouragement to overcome obstacles when they hear testimonials that other students had the same problems and now that they finished class, their lives are greatly improved.
I always love to have guest speakers in my classrooms. The value of having a guest speaker is priceless! Students get to meet and listen to someone from the "real world" who has graduated from their program or school. They are allowed to ask questions and usually can relate to the speaker on some level. The speaker serves as a type of role model or motivation to the student that they too can graduate and succeed.
Hearing the same teacher everyday might become a little monotonous. And if the student is feeling like the course content might be more than they can handle, inviting a speaker to really bring home why this career is amazing and all the great opportunities that will be out there for them upon completing their coursework would probabaly remind them of what got them into this course in the first place. Or if they came in unmotivated, maybe the speaker would be an inspiration for them.
Kathy
We have used this many times. Using a guest speaker to talk about their experiences has really helped the students understand what they really need to know.
Guest speakers help a discouraged student not only see the value of the student's success in completing education for a future career, but also understand that others go through the same things that lead to wanting to quit. Guest speakers allow students to relate to other people who were possibly, at one time, discouraged themselves. Guest speakers provide a realistic view of the relationship between being a student and being a future employee.
We use guest speakers sometimes. They bring a personality and other experiences that are different than the instructors perspective. Hearing about a topic from someone else perks them up and they display more interest.
Hi Keith,
I agree! I like to be familiar with my guest speakers, therefore I know they are going to do a fine job motivating students.
Patricia Scales
I think guest speakers also break up the intructors lecturing. It makes the class a lot more interesting. I use guest speakers as well as videos and field trips. I try to make class as entertaining as possible. When a student is enterained, they usually want to stay in the program. Its kind of like going to the movies...your advertisments(guest speaker) promotes the movie(promotes the field), then the movie contains a lot of attention grabbing action (videos on the topic grabs the attention). Plus, guest speakers can really give another persons opinion on the students field of interest.
If it's a good guest speaker it will lift the classes spirt, and get them back on track.
Guest speakers can show the students that others went through the same trials that they are experiencing. The speaker can discuss how they incorporate their education into there current life situation.
