Virtual Speakers Bureau

How the Virtual Speakers Bureau Started

The human element has always been important to MERLOT's collection of teaching and learning resources. Now, in addition to helping you find online learning materials that you can use in your classrooms, you can share your expertise with students and faculty on other campuses. MERLOT Members can volunteer to be a Virtual Guest Speaker in their area of expertise. Virtual speakers are searchable through MERLOT.

The MERLOT Virtual Speakers Bureau (VSB) enables Members to:

• Register as guest speakers in their areas of expertise.
• Search for and invite guest speakers to their courses, professional development workshops, and special events, either online or in person.

Become a Guest Expert in the Virtual Speakers Bureau

To become a Guest expert you must first be a MERLOT Member. You can join the Virtual Speakers Bureau by logging in and going to your profile page (click your name in the top right corner and select My Profile)On your profile page, about half way down is a section, Virtual Speakers Bureau.  Click the pencil icon to add your information.  Your profile in MERLOT will reflect that you are part of the VSB with the VSB icon.

Locate a Guest Expert for your Class 

MERLOT members who have expressed a desire to participate as guest experts have identified themselves in their MERLOT member profiles.Guest experts are available on a wide range of topics relevant to technology, teaching, and learning, including MERLOT and faculty development issues. They are available to discuss the presentation format(s) they prefer (such as email, synchronous and/or asynchronous discussion forums, chats, online conference, and face-to-face meetings or visits) and any special arrangements they require for participation.The VSB and guest experts can:

• Be quickly and easily located and contacted by searching MERLOT's Member Directory.
• Provide information about speaking arrangements to help determine whether or not a particular speaker meets your needs.
• Bring new knowledge and different perspectives to a classroom.
• Reinforce material already presented, through their interaction with students.
• Add energy, expertise, experience, and engagement to a classroom environment.
• Actively participate in dialogs with students while offering them the opportunity to do "something different" in the classroom.

Through the MERLOT Virtual Speakers Bureau, member list, you can search for, locate, and invite guest speakers to your courses, professional development workshops, and special online events. MERLOT members, including Faculty members, faculty development specialists, and administrators who have expressed a desire to participate as Guest Experts have identified themselves in their MERLOT member profiles. To see all the guest experts in the VSB, click the Advanced member Search on the home page below the search bar.   Under the category “Contributor Level,” select “is a guest expert of VSB.”  Then click Search.

Benefits of using the MERLOT Virtual Speakers Bureau

The MERLOT Virtual Speakers Bureau allows you to enhance the educational experiences of your students by bringing them together with guest speakers who are experts in their fields. Guest experts are available on a wide range of topics relevant to technology, teaching, and learning, including MERLOT and faculty development issues. Guest experts can:

• Bring new knowledge and different perspectives to your classroom.
• Reinforce material you have already presented through their interaction with your students.
• Add energy, expertise, experience, and engagement to your classroom environment.
• Actively participate in dialogs with your students while offering them the opportunity to do "something different" in the classroom.

Note: Only faculty members, faculty development specialists, and administrators who have expressed a desire to participate as guest experts are listed in the MERLOT Virtual Speakers Bureau. Guest experts:

• Provide their areas of expertise.
• Can be easily located by searching MERLOT's Member Directory.
• Provide contact information so they can be reached quickly and easily.
• Include information about speaking arrangements to help you determine whether or not a particular speaker meets your needs.