Importance of resource person before and during teaching

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@Samuel-Atta-Okoh Thank you for this comprehensive and insightful post, Samuel. You've highlighted a crucial yet sometimes underutilized element in the teaching and learning process — the role of resource persons. I completely agree with your perspective on their impact, especially in bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world practice.

In today’s fast-evolving educational landscape, collaboration with resource persons is not just beneficial but essential. Before teaching, having industry experts or experienced educators involved in planning ensures the curriculum remains relevant, forward-looking, and tailored to students’ future needs. Too often, we find ourselves teaching content that is outdated or disconnected from practical realities, which can disengage learners. Resource persons help anchor our content in current practices and emerging trends.

During teaching, the presence of a resource person can transform a traditional classroom into a dynamic, interactive environment. Students are naturally more curious and motivated when they see how their learning connects to real-life situations. Whether it's a guest lecture, a demonstration, or a Q&A session, such interactions expose students to diverse viewpoints and inspire them to think critically about their own paths. Furthermore, the opportunity for students to engage with professionals early on also fosters networking and career exploration, which are invaluable in preparing them for the future workforce.

It’s also worth emphasizing the professional development of teachers that you mentioned. The exchange of knowledge between resource persons and educators creates a culture of continuous learning. Teachers benefit from fresh perspectives, new pedagogical strategies, and deeper subject-matter insights, all of which enhance their own teaching practices.

That said, institutions need to be more intentional about integrating resource persons into their educational framework. This means not only identifying and inviting the right individuals but also ensuring there's logistical and administrative support for such collaborations to be effective and sustainable.

Thank you again for shedding light on this topic. It’s a reminder that effective education is a collective effort, and leveraging the expertise of others strengthens that effort exponentially.

Thank you for sharing. I might try adapting something similar in my own classroom.

Thank you for your insightful explanation!
I completely agree that resource persons play a crucial role in both strengthening the curriculum and enriching classroom learning. I would like to ad a few points to extend the discussion:
Bridging Academia and Industry: Resource persons, especially from professional fields, help align educational content with real-world demands. This is vital in preparing students for employability and future challenges.
Mentorship Opportunities: Their interaction with students can go beyond one-time sessions. In some settings, they can serve as mentors, guiding students in research projects, career choices, or skill development.
Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Resource persons often bring perspectives that cross traditional subject boundaries, encouraging interdisciplinary learning. For example, a biotechnologist speaking in a biology class may also touch on ethics, business, and innovation.
Community Engagement: Inviting experts from the local community strengthens the connection between schools and society. It also creates a culture of collaboration and mutual growth.
Overall, I believe including resource persons in our teaching process brings diversity, depth, and dynamism to the classroom. Their presence reinforces the idea that learning is not limited to textbooks—it’s an ongoing process connected to the real world.

Looking forward to hearing more views on this important topic.

@Samuel-Atta-Okoh "This is a great reminder of how valuable resource persons are in the educational process. Their input during planning and curriculum development adds depth and real-world relevance to what we teach. Involving them early helps ensure that lessons are both current and engaging for students."

@Samuel-Atta-Okoh Absolutely! Resource persons bring valuable expertise and real-world insights that greatly enhance teaching and learning.

@Samuel-Atta-Okoh ,hi
Resource person is the person who can ply the vital role before,during and after the class,the students learning out comes ,teacher's performance,use of right thing on right place ,use of time to fulfill teaching requirements and the improvement of check and balance are the key points which can be improved or convey in best way by resource person.

Totally agreed with your comprehensive and insightful explanation, I would also add here after class Resource person is equally important as before and during the class to analyze his/her teaching strategies, to make records of assessment and plan accordingly for their next lesson in class.

@Samuel-Atta-Okoh Resource persons are crucial in teaching and learning, providing expert knowledge, real-world context, and support. Their roles include:

• Curriculum design and planning
• Sharing specialized knowledge
• Teacher training and development
• Assisting in material preparation

They enhance instructional delivery, ensuring content is relevant, up-to-date, and practical.

Thank you for sharing great ideas, it will help us in our classrooms

@Samuel-Atta-Okoh
Great topic.Thanks for initiate this topic

@Samuel-Atta-Okoh
Absolutely!
Teaching resources play a crucial role in enriching the educational experience. They offer expert insights, practical examples, and contextual understanding, ultimately enhancing student engagement and comprehension. By leveraging these resources, educators can create more effective and engaging lesson plans, catering to diverse learning needs and promoting academic success.

Agreed

@Samuel-Atta-Okoh
Well explained

@Samuel-Atta-Okoh Great ideas for learning

@Samuel-Atta-Okoh agreed

Educational systems that emphasize collaboration, practical learning, and community involvement are more likely to integrate resource persons into their teaching models. For example, many Scandinavian countries, such as Finland and Sweden (I am so proud, gratefu and honored that I visited both :)), actively involve experts, professionals, and community members as resource persons. These systems recognize that involving external specialists helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application, preparing students better for the challenges of the 21st century. For my country this is still SF - maybe available in private schools.

@HIRAC405752f6f0 Actively mentoring others significantly developed self-confidence and self-efficacy.

@BEGUM0167087d15 A resource person plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall teaching and learning process. Their guidance supports teachers in planning and delivering effective lessons, using appropriate tools and strategies, managing time efficiently, and ensuring quality through continuous monitoring. By doing so, they contribute significantly to improved student outcomes and professional development.

Thank you for such detailed sharing! These points could serve as a to-do list, or checklist for us to deliver a holistic delivery of lessons!

@Samuel-Atta-Okoh

@Samuel-Atta-Okoh said in Importance of resource person before and during teaching:

A resource person plays a vital role in enhancing the teaching and learning process. Their importance is evident both before and during teaching, as they provide expert knowledge, real-world context, and support for effective instructional delivery.

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Before Teaching:

1. Planning and Curriculum Development:
   Resource persons help in designing curriculum and lesson plans that are aligned with current industry practices and academic standards. They offer insights to ensure the content is relevant, up-to-date, and practical.
2. Content Expertise:
   Teachers may not be subject-matter experts in every aspect of a topic. Resource persons bridge this gap by sharing specialized knowledge. They ensure that the information to be taught is accurate and thorough.
3. Training and Professional Development:
   Resource persons can conduct workshops and training sessions for teachers, enhancing their skills and confidence in delivering content.
4. Material Preparation:
   They may assist in developing teaching aids, case studies, or real-life examples that can be incorporated into lessons.

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During Teaching:

1. Enhancing Learning Experience:
   Resource persons can be invited to classrooms as guest speakers or co-instructors, providing firsthand perspectives and real-world experiences. This exposure makes learning more engaging and meaningful for students.
2. Demonstrating Practical Applications:
   They show how theoretical concepts apply in practical scenarios, which deepens student understanding.
3. Answering Advanced Questions:
   Their expertise enables them to handle complex student queries that go beyond textbook content.
4. Motivating Students :
   Interaction with professionals often inspires students by exposing them to potential career paths and success stories.

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Conclusion:
As we thrive in making our lesson more interactive and attractive for learners we must also make room for a resource persons to enrich the educational process by bringing in-depth knowledge, real-life context, and professional perspectives. Their involvement, both before and during teaching, contributes significantly to the quality and effectiveness of education