Guest Speakers/Field Trips
I think, if possible, a combination between a guest speaker and field trip can be quite effective. First, introduce a speaker from a particular business into the classroom and then to further reiterate and reinforce your objectives, take the class to the place of business your speaker was from. Then they can both hear and see the workings of a particular business.
Hi Ann:
Real world examples such as you suggest are both interesting, instructional, and add variety to class. All are great outcomes for students who arte interested in learning.
Regards, Barry
I have taken several groups of culinary students to the local casinos to see the foodservice in action in a high volume operation. Their eyes have been opened to see what it takes to actually work and succeed in an ultra busy venue. We have actually sent these same students on their externships there as a result of the field trips. The person leading these guided tours of the facilities pull no punches when it comes to explaining to students the expectations that they will be faced with in the real world. These trips are invaluable to both student and instructor as the instructor gathers some interesting insights and future lecture topic regarding what they have witnessed on the tours.
Hi Joseph:
I think this kind of first hand experience is invaluable, long remembered, and could contribute to shaping the future of your aspiring chefs. It's like a wake-up call to some who may have had lesser visions or perspective about their expectations for the future. This is a quick way to bring everyone up to speed in a short, but very interesting way.
Regards, Barry
Guest speakers and field trips are fantastic venues for the student to learn from on a variety of fronts. In the service writing class in our school, our students visit a dealership and shadow a service writer for approximately an hour to see exactly what is involved. In our Hi-performance classes, we conference call a guest speaker from a well known race team such as a crew member or driver and in the future, hopefully the owner so the student gets a better idea as to what goes on in a professional racing operation. The students have the opportunity to ask questions, nothing persoal such as salaries, about anything else they want. The experience sticks with them for quite a while as they continue talking about it for weeks afterward.
Hi Steve:
These visits bridge the gap between classroom "school-work" and the "real-world" of work. You're right, they're lasting and memorable which can help motivate students too.
Regards, Barry
I just completed a field trip with my students to an equipment dealer. the students were very excited about t he opportunity to interract with the technicians, manager and parts people at the dealership. The level of questions they asked and the interest shown was amazing. What I really thought was interesting was i had asked each of them to write a reaction to the visit and things I didnt even ask then to consider they picked up on and made comments. Safety issues, shop neatness and lay out of the dealership were all emphasized.
Hi Francis:
Great. It's always nice when our students surprise us with their abilities. We really should be though - that's our goal. But then, I know the reality.
Regards, Barry
I think this is a great idea. We are starting a new curriculum that has room for at lest 2 field trips or a guest speaker and a field trip. Being able to show the students a real live plate up and maybe be hands on for a large group will be very benefitual to them.
Tina
Hi Tina:
Guests and field trips break up the mundane into exciting experiences students often remember far more longer than other media methods.You're fortunate you have the opportunity to routinely schedule these imporatnt events.
Regards, Barry
Guest speakers are an effective way for students to see what it's really like in the industry, and it also helps to motivate them and see the challenges as positive ways to increase their knowledge.
Hi Lucy:
I agree. Students get motivated and excited as the begin to picture themselves in their chosen work setting. It also breaks up the day-to-day regularity that can be less than dynamic.
Regards, Barry
I sometimes use a twist on the "field trip" to engage new students in an introductory level class at a culinary school. We have a Cafe that serves breakfast and lunch, so I make arrangements to take the students there. The new students get to see what type of "work" they will be doing in their very last class, before externship and it gets them excited about the school.
Hi Alisa:
Great idea and excellent example of the power of the field trip as an educational experience.
Regards, Barry
I had a guest speaker in Small Business Management and took the class to the person's place of business and it was quite effective.
Hi Steve:
The value of guest speakers is that they allow a fresh perspective of the content you've been discussing. And, it gives the student the chance to ask questions from someone new.
Regards, Barry
