Dr. Persis Rickes visited Bogotá, Columbia in November 2011, having been invited to deliver the keynote address at the First International Conference for Environments and Learning Experiences. Often referred to as the “Athens of South America”, Dr. Rickes deeply enjoyed her introduction to Bogotá, and was struck by the architectural contrast that is so evident between the traditional and the modern throughout the city.

During her visit, Dr. Rickes was fortunate to have the opportunity to tour the campus of The University of the Andes and learn more about Columbian higher education. In addition to the impressive new buildings which comprise The University of the Andes, remodeled industrial and religious buildings add to the character and culture of the campus. Founded in 1948, the University enrolls 17,000 students and is a top tier institution of higher education in Latin America.

The invitation to keynote followed the collaboration between Dr. Rickes and Kassani, a premier manufacturer of furniture aimed at the education sector, on a book: Aula 360˚ (Classrooms 360˚). This well-received book includes a chapter by Dr. Rickes entitled, Classrooms for Collaboration and Engagement.

Her keynote presentation built upon the book chapter, providing a review of various classroom styles and associated pedagogies, classroom utilization approaches, an examination of how today’s students learn, and the characteristics of  “good” classroom environments. Conference attendees included educators and administrators from throughout Latin America and abroad.

Dr. Rickes was also featured in a segment on Columbia’s major television station. 

See the interview here.

National Education Forum in Bogota, Colombia

Participated in a Panel Discussion on Current Higher Education Facilities in the U.S.
Dr. Thomas Flaherty represented Rickes Associates at the 2010 National Education Forum in Bogotá, Colombia.  The conference, sponsored by the Ministry of Education in conjunction with the Colombian bicentennial, was hosted by Education Minister Maria Velez White. Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe delivered the keynote address.  The Forum brought together speakers and attendees from all parts of Colombia and many foreign countries. The conference served as a celebration of the ongoing transformation of education at all levels in Colombia.  In addition to the approximately 4,200 attendees onsite, several thousand others participated via electronic connections.

The target audience for the conference presentations was teachers, professors, and school and college administrators.  The central purpose of the conference was to describe innovations and best practices currently developing in Colombia and other countries. Dr. Flaherty participated in a panel discussion, Espacios para aprender (Learning spaces), relating on current higher education facilities in the U.S. and how they reflect trends in teaching and learning. Colombian college students have a different experience than those in the U.S. (e.g., there are virtually no residence halls even at the largest universities), but the students are very much like their counterparts in the U.S. Discussions about “millennial” students and the power of the social network resonated strongly with Colombian educators.