Abstract
Using guest lectures can provide graduate students with the opportunity to link theories with practice. This study aims to investigate perceptions towards online and face-to-face guest lectures among graduate students specialized in Curriculum and Instruction of Computer Science. Data was collected via reflection logs, semi-structured interviews and observations, revealing mainly positive experiences of both types of guest lecture. The participants acknowledged the flexibility and accessibility of an online guest lecture; on the other hand, they found that a face-to-face guest lecture facilitated better interaction and discussion. It is recommended to consider three issues for a successful guest lecture: guest speaker selection, teaching strategy of guest speaker and the role of the course lecturer. Future research based on identified gaps is recommended.
Highlights
The learning process is expected to link theoretical and practical knowledge together: as stated by Swan (2009, p.41) "A major expectation of students is to learn about real-world/practical applications"; it is highly recommended to use teaching strategies that facilitate the link between theories and practice; involving guest speakers is one example. Costello (2012) indicated that guest speaker events may link theory with practice by sharing guest speaker experience with students. Kamoun and Selim (2007, p.82) confirmed that a "guest speaker event can provide a means to supplement conventional teaching to expose students to recent trends and emerging technologies and practices"
The effectiveness of guest lecture events in classes should involve receiving feedback from students as well as from guest speakers. The results of this first use of a guest speaker approach reveal a positive experience of face-to-face and online guest lectures
The students acknowledged the flexibility and accessibility of an online guest lecture; on the other hand, they found that a face-to-face guest lecture facilitated better interaction and discussion
Summary
The learning process is expected to link theoretical and practical knowledge together: as stated by Swan (2009, p.41) "A major expectation of students is to learn about real-world/practical applications"; it is highly recommended to use teaching strategies that facilitate the link between theories and practice; involving guest speakers is one example. Costello (2012) indicated that guest speaker events may link theory with practice by sharing guest speaker experience with students. Kamoun and Selim (2007, p.82) confirmed that a "guest speaker event can provide a means to supplement conventional teaching to expose students to recent trends and emerging technologies and practices". Costello (2012) indicated that guest speaker events may link theory with practice by sharing guest speaker experience with students. Clarke and Flaherty’s (2002) study investigated the impact of nine different teaching strategies, including guest speakers, on students’ perceptions of learning in the United States, United Kingdom and People’s Republic of China (PRC). They found that [participating students in] the PRC and the United Kingdom considered practitioner readings, Internet communications, and guest speakers to be of less importance than [those in] the United States. They found that [participating students in] the PRC and the United Kingdom considered practitioner readings, Internet communications, and guest speakers to be of less importance than [those in] the United States. (p.235)
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