Inviting carefully selected guests into the classroom can help students recognize the blending of theory and practice and involve students more intimately in the learning process. For example, a first-person account by a mother of a handicapped child might have a greater impact on the listener than books, films, or lectures. Effective presentations, however, require advance planning. Students are given a time-line at the beginning of the semester on which they may sign up if they choose to invite a guest. An outline enumerating class and guest responsibilities, a conference with the instructor, and a written outline for the guest must be completed before the invitation is finalized. Students complete the project with a summary, personal evaluation of the presentation, thank-you note, and final discussion. Instructor-invited guests are usually experts at what they are asked to talk about, e.g., an insurance agent or a member of La Leche League. Often, guests can provide a link to the job market and can give particulars useful to students. (LH)