Using guest speakers as resources offer several advantages. First, those students who sometimes have a difficult time relating to the instructor, may be able to relate to the guest speaker. It could be for several reasons, sometimes reasons for which we have not control over--age, voice, gender, etc. Second, it varies the regular class presentation. I like to use guest speakers that are currently working in the field related to the class. For example, in Fundamentals of Human Resources, I asked our HR representative to speak to the class. The students thoroughly enjoyed her presentation, they asked revelant questions about current laws, etc. that she was able to answer which I was unfamiliar with. She also enjoyed meeting the students and enjoyed her time in the classroom. In Introduction to Marketing class, I had a guest speaker from a radio station, a Promotions Director talk about demographics which proved to be very interesting to the students. She was 27 and the students could relate to her and her success and how she started as an internet at the radio station and worked her way up to become Promotions Director in less than 5 years.
It is alwsys a good idea to bring in the "real world" experiences of guest speakers. It reinforces the idea that the course material IS relevant and that it is important for their current and future success. Plus it offers students additional opportunities to network with community resources.
I try to use this technique in every class I teach-from Intro to College through their final class with me--Business Law or Medical Law. It encourages new students to go for the GOAL (Vision) and shows them they can and later students to keep going. I try to utilize my former students who also provide tips to overcoming "rocks in the road" and career tips regarding the importance of soft skills.
Guest speakers can have several positive outcomes on students and the delivery of content. Guest speakers have been used as a rolemodels. I have used guest speaker in my class on certain topics in which I am not well versed.
Its always been a great tool for me as in instructor and for students because its a nice reminder what they are shooting for in the near future , shows what is currently being donr in the field and how it relates to current projects in class , and most of all is a almost mentor kind of effect that rubs off on the student . As an instructor , I have found it to be motivating to myself and reminds me when I need a shot of inspiration , why I am teaching, and why I love what I do as well .
Bringing a guest speaker into your class is an opportunity for our students to l is exposed to a different style of spoken English, and they might also learn content that will benefit their educations. Just bringing a guest in and letting him or her speak, however, is not always enough. I have done this several times in my freshmen lass and students really enjoy that. Some they are a good idea they hear from someone else.
Hi Lisa,
I agree! Guest spearks are the best. They can add so much flavor to a course by motivating and inspiring students. Students tend to believe it once they hear success from a guest speaker that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Patricia Scales
A guest speaker can share their insights on the challenges they faced when attending college,and what they did to overcome. They can also share how successful they are now. They can motivate the students by letting them know they too can be successful if they work hard and don't give up.
One advantage is that it "freshens up" the class. My night classes, for example, are four hours long. I get tired of hearing myself talk and I'm sure that my students do as well! Additionally, four hours of my perspective on an issue may get a little dull for my students.
A guest speaker gives my students a fresh face to look at, and a second perspective on important issues. Hopefully, the speaker will reinforce ideas that we have already been discussing in class, thus convincing my students that I might just actually know what I am talking about after all!
My question, though, is this: what types of guest speakers could I possibly incorporate into a Composition class? I am at a loss!!
Hi Dorothy,
Try using guest speakers; they have a great impact on students.
Patricia Scales
Cool story about how people affect one another.
If a discouraged student realizes that there are others in the same situation that he/she is in it can really be encouraging to see someone who has successed and moved past their current situation.
Hi Jennifer,
You are on point! Guest speakers are priceless! Graduate guest speakers are the absolute best!
Patricia Scales
Using a guest speaker can motivate students. If the speaker is in a really interesting and exciting job related to the field, his stories may very well plant the seed in the student's mind of "Wow, that could be me..."
I bring in guest speakers to speak about a profession that the students are interested in. Many times the students meet potential employers this way and are given internship opportunities.
Hi Mellisa,
Guest speakers are the best! Guest speakers let students know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Patricia Scales
It is very easy to get sidetracked with everyday life for students. Their personal lives and responsibilities can often overwhelm them and they struggle to stay focused on school. A guest speaker can often bring the importance and the excitement of the prospects that are available to them 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 the motivation to get refocused on their goal of working in their profession in the future.
I have had many guest speakers come in and talk to my class about potential career opportunities and ways they can prepare for their chosen fields. Students who have become discouraged are often times encouraged and motivated by these guest speakers to keep moving forward. The fire they lost is relit by the guest speaker.
Mellisa
A guest speaker can offer additional valuable information. Students will have the opportunity to hear from not just one but two working adults about the benefits of good education. They will more likely see both as credible since they are presenting in a positive way. It would also be helpful to the instructor to have a former student...that way the current students will have an opportunity to see how their current instructor can help the to succeed.
Guest speakers usually reinforce what we as instructors said before. Since it comes from someone else who is not working at the college it seems to have more impact on the students.
