Hi Sheena,
I agree! Guest speakers bring book theory to life!
Patricia Scales
Guest speakers who are "out there in the trenches" is a great way to expand the horizon of your students
It really gets the student motivated and pumped up for the class. It seems as if it takes the material that we instruct and brings it to life for the student so they can see how they can apply it in their personal lives.
Bringing in a guest speaker will spice up the day by
1. Changing up the droll drum of a daily lecture. When the students are more excited and more attentive they learn more.
2. Introduce the students to someone who earns a living from what they are trying to learn.
3. Give real life credit to what the students are trying to accomplish! IE: There degree, once earned, can really pay off!
When bringing in a past graduate and letting him or her explain what they have done, really does motivate students. It lets them see the end results.
Hi Lisa,
Even adult students love movie time. Movie time is awesome as long as it applies to the content of the course. YouTube is a valuable teaching tool.
Patricia Scales
I think this is a great idea. I use youtube a lot as my "guest speakers". There are so many videos that pertain to the student's current situation. Plus "movie time" is always fun.
I find that a guest speaker has the ability to modivate students in ways we sometimes cant. Also they can lend creedance to the things we tell our students in lecture.
Guest Speakers have great value from my personal experience. There are definitely times when we all want to give up and quit but then the instuctor brings in a motivational guest speaker with similar backgrounds as us to encourage us to keep on fighting and striving for excellence. I will definitely have guest speakers in my course when appropriate.
Using guest speakers,especially recent graduates from your program, will peak the students interests and may also be a great encouragement to those students who are about to quit your program.
I use relevant guest speakers whenever possible. I find students are more receptive to what I am discussing in class when an "outside professional" reiterates lecture.
I really like the idea of having a graduate of the program who is now working in the field come in as a guest speaker. I think that if I find the right person, a comfortable speaker, he or she could highlight the struggles and successes they have encountered from the time they entered the program until present. Challanges that they had to overcome in order to succeed and expectations of knowledge and professionalism that are out there in the real world!
Hi John,
Guest speakers are pricelss, and they add a lot of flavor to the course. It is good for students to hear from professional in their career.
Patricia Scales
Guest speakers may provide insights into various career opportunities that faltering students are unaware of and thus encourage them to continue.
I love the idea of guest speakers! It seams like when I tell the students some info, they don't beleive me, but if they hear it from "an expert" its the truth.
Guest speakers mix up the routine and create excitement. They are often very enthusiastic ane therefore break up the monotony of the everyday lectures.
While it is true that guest speakers that are successful is truely motivational to students what about a speaker who took the course and just slid by with grades and failed in his goal to achieve a rewarding carreer in the field ?
Hi Stephanie,
I concur! Sometimes we as instructors do so much motivating to students, we need someone to motivate us and get us re-energized.
Patricia Scales
Guest speakers, especially ones who have been in the same situations as some of your students can help students understand that they are not the only ones who have ever had to deal with particular situations. It can also help to encourage and motivate students in certain areas.
Guest speakers can not only "re-energize" students, but instructors as well. Recently we had a guest speaker who is currently working within the field. After she was done not only did the students feel excited, but I did as well. Guest speakers can often be like a breath of fresh air. They also set a "living example" for the students as to the accomplishments that people who were students like them once, become.
