Research Question Reflection
In February during the Global Education Symposium, we were asked to formulate our research question for the International Field Experience. At that moment, it was hard to think of a question that will be appropriate for the host community, school and classroom we were going to visit. My first idea was to research the students’ level of involvement in their community thru community service. I also thought of researching how do they participate in democracy. But because of my role of CAS Coordinator (Creative, Activity, Service – IB requirement) at my school, I decided to research what are the role of community service in the Colombian Education and the point of view of the students.
In May, we found out that our host community was going to be Barranquilla and that we were going to visit Escuela Normal Superior de Barranquilla. Our host teacher, Ana Milena Romero, was a 5th grade English teacher. At this point, my research question did not seem to be suitable but I was going to talk with other teachers in the High School level.
After we arrived in Bogotá, we attended different session on Colombian History and Education. We learned that the Colombian Government had allocated more money towards Education than Defense. We visited two schools in Bogotá and later a university (Corporación Unificada Nacional) and after those visits my research question started to change. On July 22nd, we had the opportunity to talk with a panel of education experts and during this session my research question became clear. I asked one of the panelist how do someone become a teacher in Colombia, what is the course of study? They explain that they are three ways in which someone can become a teacher:
In the United States, one can become a teacher by attending a four-year university or if you are someone like me who has a Bachelor’s degree in another field you take some extra classes and go thru the certification process. But option #1 was very interesting to me, especially because I was going to visit an Escuela Normal in Barranquilla.
A Escuela Normal is an educational institution that forms future preschool and elementary teachers. Starting in 10th and 11th grade, students learn about pedagogical theory and when they finish with a high school degree with a focus on pedagogy. In Colombia, there are about 137 Escuelas Normales that offer students the opportunity to begin their teaching training at an early age. The Escuelas Normales began in Colombia in the 1950s and have gone thru many changes.
In 2005, the Normales created four extra semesters to train their students and those with a pedagogical high school diploma exclusively in education. The four semesters are known as Formación Complementaria. If there is a student that comes from a vocational high school or a regular high school, they must take six semesters instead of four.
In May, we found out that our host community was going to be Barranquilla and that we were going to visit Escuela Normal Superior de Barranquilla. Our host teacher, Ana Milena Romero, was a 5th grade English teacher. At this point, my research question did not seem to be suitable but I was going to talk with other teachers in the High School level.
After we arrived in Bogotá, we attended different session on Colombian History and Education. We learned that the Colombian Government had allocated more money towards Education than Defense. We visited two schools in Bogotá and later a university (Corporación Unificada Nacional) and after those visits my research question started to change. On July 22nd, we had the opportunity to talk with a panel of education experts and during this session my research question became clear. I asked one of the panelist how do someone become a teacher in Colombia, what is the course of study? They explain that they are three ways in which someone can become a teacher:
- Attend a Escuela Normal Superior
- Bachelor’s Degree from a university
- Professionals from other fields.
In the United States, one can become a teacher by attending a four-year university or if you are someone like me who has a Bachelor’s degree in another field you take some extra classes and go thru the certification process. But option #1 was very interesting to me, especially because I was going to visit an Escuela Normal in Barranquilla.
A Escuela Normal is an educational institution that forms future preschool and elementary teachers. Starting in 10th and 11th grade, students learn about pedagogical theory and when they finish with a high school degree with a focus on pedagogy. In Colombia, there are about 137 Escuelas Normales that offer students the opportunity to begin their teaching training at an early age. The Escuelas Normales began in Colombia in the 1950s and have gone thru many changes.
In 2005, the Normales created four extra semesters to train their students and those with a pedagogical high school diploma exclusively in education. The four semesters are known as Formación Complementaria. If there is a student that comes from a vocational high school or a regular high school, they must take six semesters instead of four.
I had the opportunity to talk with some of the students at the Formación Complementaria en la Escuela Normal Superior del Distrito de Barranquilla (ENSDB) and also observed some of their classes. One of the most interesting classes to observe was Mrs. Ethel García, Research class. These students must begin working on their thesis the very first semester. Mrs. García helps them not only with their research topic and research process but also how to present their thesis in a professional manner.
She explained to me that in ENSDB there are two options for the Formación Complementaria:
The Research process at Formación Complementaria in ENSDB is a very rigorous one. During the 1st semester, students choose their topic and begin reading bibliography on their topic. They also have the opportunity to do field work at different schools. During the 2nd semester, they work on the theory framework and the 3rd semester is the methodology and thesis proposal is submitted.
I observed some presentations of her students, and I was very impress by the level of professionalism. These students received a diploma of Normalista Superior, and this is a certification to be teachers at the elementary level.
After learning about Escuelas Normales, I wonder if we have anything similar in the United States. Is it possible to compare an Associate Degree in Education with a Normalista Superior Diploma? After my field experience and the research that I have done, the Normalistas Superiores have a different training and are more prepare in the research area. These students could potential continue at the university level to become high school teachers, without starting from the beginning of the bachelor’s program.
Would it be beneficial to some of our students in the United States to have a curriculum similar to a Escuela Normal?
She explained to me that in ENSDB there are two options for the Formación Complementaria:
- If the student attended ENSDB, they can begin the Formación Complementaria in Semester 1.
- If the student comes from a non Normal school, they must begin with Introductory Semester.
The Research process at Formación Complementaria in ENSDB is a very rigorous one. During the 1st semester, students choose their topic and begin reading bibliography on their topic. They also have the opportunity to do field work at different schools. During the 2nd semester, they work on the theory framework and the 3rd semester is the methodology and thesis proposal is submitted.
I observed some presentations of her students, and I was very impress by the level of professionalism. These students received a diploma of Normalista Superior, and this is a certification to be teachers at the elementary level.
After learning about Escuelas Normales, I wonder if we have anything similar in the United States. Is it possible to compare an Associate Degree in Education with a Normalista Superior Diploma? After my field experience and the research that I have done, the Normalistas Superiores have a different training and are more prepare in the research area. These students could potential continue at the university level to become high school teachers, without starting from the beginning of the bachelor’s program.
Would it be beneficial to some of our students in the United States to have a curriculum similar to a Escuela Normal?