On day two, we had the amazing experience of getting to learn from many amazing professors who gave us valuable insight into many fields relevant to our experience in Birmingham and the research projects we will be completing while on our trip. I got to learn about the process of research from a new perspective with Mr. Grant Huddleston who introduced us to a method of formulating a research question while thinking of a tree. He explained to us the importance of breaking down a research question from a large forest all the way down to a leaf on a tree. I learned how important it is to keep research specific and to make sure that the amount of information you gain from the research is not overwhelming to analyze. In a conversation we had, he dove deeper into this, saying that having too much information can lead the research to loose its focus and the goal of the study is often lost. This was very valuable insight to me as I plan on conducting research at some point in my college career. Additionally, it showed me the value of having multiple people teach even basic things like research as I have learned about how to research in the past, but have not gained a lot of the knowledge I received.
We also got to learn about the education system in the U.K. from two teachers, Miss Flo and Miss Bebita who gave us a lot of context to how students move through the system. The main thing that stuck out to me is that their education system is based on levels, but not grade levels, it’s more like knowledge levels. Once you accomplish a certain thing, you move up a level in their school system. At level one, you are just a little kid anywhere from first to third grade, but you can get all the way up to level eight where you have a PhD. I learned that right now, I am a level four as I am beginning college, and I will become a level six when I graduate with my bachelor’s degree. There are three number for university as people students only go for three years with nine semesters and no summers off. I found it interesting the names of each level of education as well. They have primary, secondary, college, and university. During this explanation, they also taught us that students are tested to move on to almost every different education level. Students need to pass GCSEs to move from primary to secondary school as well as from secondary school to college which is also known as six form which is where students generally study for their A-level exams. The A-level exams are what allow you to go into University where you earn your higher education and bachelor’s degree. Once the A-levels are passed, you move from a level three to a level four.
The experience of a student in Birmingham seems to be vastly different from my experience as a student in the U.S. We do not get tested to move up in grade levels and we also do not have one test that basically completely decides what your options are for college. It is important to get a good SAT score, but it is not required like a good score on your A-level exams are here in order to attend a good school. As we were explaining our college admissions process to Mr. Huddleston, he noticed that our process is a lot more qualitative, whereas the one here is a lot more quantitative and dependent on grades. I think I prefer not having to take these exams to make progress in my education, but I also think it is good in the sense that people are held more accountable for their knowledge. However, taking a more holistic approach to college admissions helps to ensure the people going to the school are not only good students, but are involved in their community and are more than just smart.
Some pictures from our tour of Birmingham City University at the City Center campus. Look at the creative spaces and all the natural light!
