Hi Lisa,
Guest speakers can be a win-win situation for all. Guest speakers add a positive twist to the class.
Patricia
Yes it really does something to students who think "This class will never help me". Also, it confirms for the others who are enjoying it.
I have had both prior students and people from the industry to come in and speak to my class. It helps them to see what they can achieve when they finish also what to expect once they are out in the field. Having guest speakers enforces the things that I have told them in class.
That's a great point. We need to teach students and let them see that a lot of what we teach is theory and concepts but it is up to them to take that and apply it successfully in their own way and relevant to their situation.
A guest speaker can provide that real world application that a student needs to reconnect. A guest speaker can show students the value of their education. Listening to a teacher explain the value or importance of each lesson is very different than listening to somebody who has sat in the same spot as a student and is now applying the knowledge they received from the instructor. Bringing in guest speakers who have overcome a barrier or simply succeeded may provide enough motivation for a student to want to recommit to their initial goal.
Hi Lisa,
I am sure this successful graduate guest speaker is very inspiring to the current students. Students can definitely relate to those who have struggled, yet are doing well.
Patricia
Guest speakers, especially if the were former students, can put things in the perspective of "I know where YOU are coming from". I find it very beinificial.
Oh yes! I have done this. I have brought a student in that said she would never look at the class I was teaching after she graduated. She ended up doing this for a living. She comes & talks to the students about listening, keeping an open mind, & doing their best.
I use guest speakers to demonstrate networking at its best. I tell students that I do not have all the answers to their many questions and love to seek out others who can share their experiences and knowledge with us. It seems to put the students' minds at ease when they know that I do not know everything. I also stress the importance of being life-long learners, always able to learn from someone else.
Guest speakers give students new insight into reaching goals and staying focused on their chosen career. They offer a renewed challenge helping the student to overcome the temporary slump while conveying the message that quitting is not an option.
Guest speaker helps to built the student moral and give real examples. For example we have a Medical Assitant program that sometimes invite doctors to talk with student to share real life situation that goes on in the doctor's office, helpping the students get an idea of situations in the work place.
A lot of times guest speakers can be motivational and might pull the right chords with a student who is on the brink of quitting and who only just needs a few nice words to bring them back to facing their goals.
the guest speaker can influence the students by giving them there life experience when they were in their shoes.
Hi Jane,
Success stories shared with current students are very motivating. Online students are inspired by success stories as well.
Patricia
I think this would be a valuable way to re-incent students. Especially if this was a student who graduated from an on-line course such as I am teaching. I think there is still a wariness about hiring on-line educated students so they need to hear there are success stories.
Hi Randall,
I certainly understand your perspective. I have been teaching for over 22 years, and I have a tremendous amount of practical experience in the courses I teach. I have found that although I share my personal stories/experiences with my students, they enjoy them, but they become even more excited when a guest speaker comes in and present and validates/reinforces what I have taught/shared with them. Guest speakers serve as great resources to break the monotony.
Patricia
As an online instructor some of the issues posed in this section do not apply as I don’t have visual cues within a brick and mortar classroom to assist however there are also some very similar virtual cues that do occur. As easy as it is to shirk your responsibilities, as a student, in a brick and mortar classroom environment it is 10 times as easy to shirk those responsibilities in an online environment. In forum 1 I stated that I teach the first course that the students at my institution must take; basically a how to succeed in college course. As such, as an instructor, we have been directed by the institution to be very liberal with regard to the late policy. With my class one of the indicators of disenfranchised students is not submitting tasks. Another indicator is not attending live chat sessions, lectures. There are a few strategies that I do in an attempt to get them involved. First I send out reminders for live chats and due dates on a regular basis to the entire class. Second, for those who are not turning in tasks, I send personalized notes of concern outlining what they are missing, how to contact me so that I can help them get caught up and what they must do to get caught up. Third, because of the nature of my class, one of the chats in the beginning of the course talks about setting yourself up for success, taking personal responsibility, differences in instructors, personal power and support structures and various other aspects of personal accountability and responsibility. Fourth, while a group project is not mandated by the course, I encourage and facilitate a study group in the small group section of the virtual environment for those who want to be involved. Finally I make sure that the students know that they need to keep me in the loop with what is happening with them outside of class so that I can do what I can to assist in their success. With regard to guest speakers I have not utilized this strategy. One reason is that I have already shared with them my college story and that it was recent and very similar to what they are going through. As such I don’t see where someone else would be able to add more relevance to that issue other than they hear it from someone else. The course also assists with some of the benefits of a guest speaker because one of their early tasks is to interview two individuals that they know that have been successful in returning to school and gleaning two pieces of advice regarding how to succeed. The primary purpose and benefit of a guest speaker is to give the student an example of success that they can relate to; in this regard I believe that the course I teach and my background provide that purpose and benefit. Ultimately when it comes down to it I have been able to assist many students get back on track while others are beyond my reach. The conclusion I have come up with is that you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make them drink.
I use past students as guest speakers all the time. The new students enjoy asking them questions, and the past students feel valuable to the program. It also allows me to see first hand how my past students are doing. They will talk about their externships, job opportunites, and pass along valuable advice to my new students.
Hi Cynthia,
Guest speakers can shed a different light on various topics. As instructors we teach theory-based concepts from the book. Guest speakers bring in real life experiences.
Patricia
Hi Carol,
Students take what outside sources say to heart! Students have great faith in and respect for guest speakers. They believe guest speakers.
Patricia
