| dc.description.abstract | This thesis explores learning environments and school environments in two public schools in the neighborhood of Los Mártires, Bogotá, and uncovers how students in these schools cope with attending school in what is described as a violent urban area. According to the Municipality of Bogotá (2004), the security issue is a critical topic in Los Mártires. Highly related to the security issue is the distribution and consumption of drugs, which constitutes one of the most complex phenomena in Los Mártires and one that has a considerable socioeconomic impact on the neighborhood (Municipality of Bogotá, 2010). The findings in this study build on nine weeks of field work in the two schools, with participant observation and semi-structured interviews as the two main research methods. A comparative case study design was applied during the research. Resilience theory has been employed in order to analyze the data material and to identify resilient characteristics among the students. The main findings of this research indicate challenging learning environments, especially in the first school. The school environments in both schools were good in terms of peer relationships and extracurricular activities, but students in the first school gave more positive and enthusiastic descriptions of their school environment than students in the second school. School environment is a broader concept than learning environment. It includes aspects such as the areas around the schools, and initiatives from the Secretariat of Education in Bogotá. Background literature, as well as observations and interviews, showed that the area around the second school was perceived to be safer and calmer than the area encircling the first school, which had greater problems with insecurity and drug distribution. Students’ coping mechanisms relate directly to resilience. This research will show that many students possess several strategies in order to cope with a school reality that is heavily influenced by restlessness, unease, disturbances and noise inside the schools, and by drugs, violence, and other crimes from the surrounding neighborhood where the schools are located. Key words: Learning environment, school environment, resilience, urban violence. | eng |