vol. 4 núm. 1 (2025)

Building Professional Identity in Pedagogy: A Study at the University of PamplonaThis qualitative ethnographic study explored how nine first-semester students (2024) at the University of Pamplona (Colombia) construct their professional identity in pedagogy. The descriptive research aimed to understand their initial perceptions, expectations, and challenges on the path to teaching, within the institution's cultural and academic environment. Detailed narratives and observations were collected through semi-structured interviews, field diaries, and participant observation. The findings indicate that the emerging professional identity is influenced by prior experiences, intrinsic motivations, and immersion in the university culture. Vocation, empathy, and the desire to transform emerged as fundamental pillars, shaped by the expectations of the environment. The study concludes that educational institutions should foster critical reflection and the development of a teaching identity rooted in humanist and ethical principles, validating individual trajectories and strengthening a sense of belonging from the beginning of their training.

The presentation, delivered at the forum "Inequality and Social Mobility in the Digital Age," analyzed how territories are facing structural challenges of inequality in a global context of rapid digital transformation. From the GIT Research Group (Integrated Territorial Management) at the University of Pamplona and a project on early warning systems, the speaker addressed the social implications of technological progress, highlighting the transition from Industry 1.0 to 5.0 within a VUCA and BANI environment. Multiple challenges were identified: global risks such as income inequality, forced migration, and unemployment; structural crises such as extractivism, social exclusion, and gaps in access to science and technology; and deep inequality in Latin America, particularly in Colombia, where 1% of the population controls 80% of the land, 15% lives in extreme poverty, and the education system shows high dropout rates. Additionally, low social mobility was evident due to the intergenerational transmission of poverty. Finally, the presentation examined Colombia’s weak position in innovation (ranked 67th globally in 2021), emphasizing the need to strengthen the knowledge-based economy to address these challenges.

The objective of the research was to strengthen the basic learning processes of reading and writing through ludic-pedagogical strategies. These strategies were based on Piaget's cognitive theory and Ludopedagogy. The study was conducted with a sample of 18 preschool children from the educational institution Ana Joaquina Rodríguez de Cañaverales. It was inserted in the qualitative approach and the pedagogical action research design, using field diaries and checklists as instruments. The results showed that 100% of the children were able to imitate actions, assign meanings to objects, and group elements by common characteristics, developing skills of the preoperational stage. They manipulated materials in their own environment and participated in play activities, favoring the connection between play and learning. In literacy, 94.4% demonstrated skills in reading syllables, words, and phrases. It was concluded that the play strategies were effective in strengthening reading and writing skills in preschool students.

This bibliographical research examined the fundamental role of information networks in shaping human political systems throughout history, from the Stone Age to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) era. It analyzed how the ability to connect large masses of individuals through fictional narratives was crucial for large-scale human cooperation, enabling the emergence of tribes and nations. The evolution of information technologies, from storytelling and written documents to the printing press and 20th-century mass media, was explored, highlighting their impact on the viability of democracies and totalitarianisms. The printing press facilitated the rise of large-scale democracies but also the spread of "religious fantasies, fake news, and conspiracy theories".The research contrasted the "naive idea of information," which assumes that more information leads to truth and wisdom, with a "complex idea" that recognizes the balance between truth and social order. It was argued that, historically, order was often maintained through fictions and lies, and that the pursuit of truth could undermine social order. The development of self-correction mechanisms in democracies and scientific institutions was analyzed, contrasting them with the absence of these mechanisms in totalitarian regimes. Historical cases such as the European witch hunt and collectivization in the Soviet Union were discussed, where toxic information and fantasies imposed by networks resulted in humanitarian catastrophes. Finally, the implications of AI were addressed, which, by acting as "agents" capable of making decisions and generating ideas autonomously, poses unprecedented challenges to democracy, privacy, and the global balance of power, potentially leading to new forms of totalitarianism or digital anarchy.

The research aimed to strengthen the identity values of Afro-descendants through traditional Afro dance, using Ausubel's meaningful learning. This study was conducted with 25 third-grade students at the Rural Educational Institution Ana Joaquina Rodríguez de Cañaverales, in San Juan del Cesar, Guajira. A qualitative approach and an action research design were employed. Data collection instruments such as the written test, field diary, and estimation scale were applied. The results showed that the students identified the meaning of symbols and words, connecting new concepts with their previous knowledge. They also integrated cultural principles and values of Afro identity, incorporated meanings about Afro-Colombian history, practiced dance movements, and demonstrated deep respect for Afro cultural contributions. The conclusions confirmed the relevance of using strategies based on meaningful learning, as the students' cultural identity was strengthened.

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) established itself in the educational landscape of basic education between 2020 and 2024, generating both expectations and profound reflections. This bibliographic study aimed to analyze, from a humanistic perspective, the impact of GenAI during this period. It examined the opportunities it offered for personalizing learning and developing 21st-century skills, as well as the ethical, pedagogical, and social challenges that emerged. Through a systematic review of academic literature published between 2020 and 2024, key trends were identified, and implications for the educational community were discussed. The findings of this review suggested that while GenAI presented promising tools, its integration required careful planning, continuous teacher training, and a student-centered approach to mitigate risks such as technological dependence, algorithmic bias, and the digital divide, always seeking to preserve the human essence of the educational act.

The rapid incursion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into various social sectors raised significant questions for the educational field, which motivated the present research. This qualitative bibliographic study aimed to analyze the impact AI had on secondary and higher education within the Latin American context. To this end, the objectives behind AI implementation in these spheres, the basic procedures through which it was applied in teaching-learning processes and educational management, as well as the most relevant results reported in specialized literature, were examined. Similarly, the main conclusions and challenges that emerged from these experiences were identified. The methodology involved a systematic and exhaustive review of over 70 academic sources and specialized documents, preferably published in recent years, which addressed the applications, benefits, limitations, and ethical considerations of AI at the mentioned educational levels in the region. As a result, key emerging trends were identified, persistent knowledge gaps were highlighted, and future research lines were proposed to deepen the understanding of this constantly evolving phenomenon.

The COVID-19 pandemic acted as an unforeseen catalyst for technological adoption in education globally. While this acceleration opened new avenues for learning, it also exacerbated pre-existing educational inequalities, closely linked to the digital divide. This bibliographic study analyzed academic literature and relevant reports published mainly between 2020 and 2024 to investigate the reconfiguration of educational inequality in the context of increased reliance on digital technologies. The dimensions of the digital divide (access, use, and skills) and their differential impact on various student groups were examined. The research delved into how policies implemented during and after the health crisis addressed, or failed to address, these disparities. Findings indicated that, despite efforts, the rapid transition to remote education and hybrid models tended to widen differences in learning outcomes, disproportionately affecting students from vulnerable socioeconomic backgrounds, rural areas, and those with special educational needs. It was concluded that the mere provision of technology was insufficient without comprehensive strategies addressing digital competencies, adequate pedagogical support, and underlying socioeconomic barriers. This analysis underscored the urgency of inclusive and equitable educational policies in the digital age.