Metaphor and Genre: An Approach to improve the learning process of English for Aeronautics

This study suggests a theoretical framework for improving the teaching/ learning process of English employed in the Aeronautical discourse that brings together cognitive learning strategies, Genre Analysis and the Contemporary theory of Metaphor (Lakoff and Johnson 1980; Lakoff 1993). It maintains that cognitive strategies such as imagery, deduction, inference and grouping can be enhanced by means of metaphor and genre awareness in the context of content based approach to language learning. A list of image metaphors and conceptual metaphors which comes from the terminological database METACITEC is provided. The metaphorical terms from the area of Aeronautics have been taken from specialised dictionaries and have been categorised according to the conceptual metaphors they respond to, by establishing the source domains and the target domains, as well as the semantic networks found. This information makes reference to the internal mappings underlying the discourse of aeronautics reflected in five aviation accident case studies which are related to accident reports from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and provides an important source for designing language teaching tasks. La Lingüística Cognitiva y el Análisis del Género han contribuido a la mejora de la enseñanza de segundas lenguas y, en particular, al desarrollo de la competencia lingüística de los alumnos de inglés para fines específicos. Este trabajo pretende perfeccionar los procesos de enseñanza y el aprendizaje del lenguaje empleado en el discurso aeronáutico por medio de la práctica de estrategias cognitivas y prestando atención a la Teoría del análisis del género y a la Teoría contemporánea de la metáfora (Lakoff y Johnson 1980; Lakoff 1993). Con el propósito de crear recursos didácticos en los que se apliquen estrategias metafóricas, se ha elaborado un listado de metáforas de imagen y de metáforas conceptuales proveniente de la base de datos terminológica META-CITEC. Estos términos se han clasificado de acuerdo con las metáforas conceptuales y de imagen existentes en esta área de conocimiento. Para la enseñanza de este lenguaje de especialidad, se proponen las correspondencias y las proyecciones entre el dominio origen y el dominio meta que se han hallado en los informes de accidentes aéreos tomados de la Junta federal de la Seguridad en el Transporte (NTSB)

A sharing-based approach to supporting adaptation in service compositions

Data-related properties of the activities involved in a service composition can be used to facilitate several design-time and run-time adaptation tasks, such as service evolution, distributed enactment, and instance-level adaptation. A number of these properties can be expressed using a notion of sharing. We present an approach for automated inference of data properties based on sharing analysis, which is able to handle service compositions with complex control structures, involving loops and sub-workflows. The properties inferred can include data dependencies, information content, domain-defined attributes, privacy or confidentiality levels, among others. The analysis produces characterizations of the data and the activities in the composition in terms of minimal and maximal sharing, which can then be used to verify compliance of potential adaptation actions, or as supporting information in their generation. This sharing analysis approach can be used both at design time and at run time. In the latter case, the results of analysis can be refined using the composition traces (execution logs) at the point of execution, in order to support run-time adaptation.

A holistic experience in the integrated learning of specialized English and content in Engineering degrees

This paper aims to outline a theory-based Content and Language Integrated Learning course and to establish the rationale for adopting a holistic approach to the teaching of languages in tertiary education. Our work focuses on the interdependence between Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL), and the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), in particular regarding the learning of English within the framework of Telecommunications Engineering. The study first analyses the diverse components of the instructional approach and the extent to which this approach interrelates with technologies within the context of what we have defined as a holistic experience, since it also aims to develop a set of generic competences or transferable skills. Second, an example of a course project framed in this holistic approach is described in order to exemplify the specific actions suggested for learner autonomy and CLIL. The approach provides both an adequate framework as well as the conditions needed to carry out a lifelong learning experience within our context, a Spanish School of Engineering. In addition to specialized language and content, the approach integrates the learning of skills and capacities required by the new plans that have been established following the Bologna Declaration in 1999.

Fashion in Actions on Social Media – Spanish SME Fashion Brands Case Studies

Fashion is one of the most vibrant sectors in Europe and important contributors to the European Union (EU) economy. In particular, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a major part in European fashion industry (EU 2012). Just like fashion, where people¿s style has inherently meant to be shared as it is foremost a representation of one¿s self-image, social media allow the reflection of ones' personality and emotions. Although fashion practitioners have embraced social media in their marketing activities, it is still relatively few known at an academic level about the specificities of fashion industry when approaching social media marketing (SMM) strategies. This study sets out to explore fashion companies' SMM strategy and its activities. From an exploratory approach, we present case studies of two Spanish SME fashion companies, anonymously named hereafter as Company A and Company B, to deepen our understanding on how fashion brands implement their SMM strategy. Company A offers high-end fashion products while Company B produces medium fashion products. We analyzed the case studies using qualitative (interviews to companies' executives) and a mix of qualitative and quantitative (content analysis of companies' social media platform) methods. Public posts data of both companies' Facebook brand pages were used to perform the content analysis. Our findings through case studies of the two companies reveal that branding-oriented strategic objectives are the main drivers of their SMM implementations. There are significant differences between both companies. The main strategic action employed by Company A is engaging customers to participate into brand's offline social gathering events by inviting them through social media platform, while Company B focuses its effort on posting product promotion related contents and engaging influencers such as fashion bloggers. Our results are expected to serve as a basis of further investigations on how SMM strategy and strategic actions implemented by fashion brands may influence marketing outcomes.

Los contenidos de expresión corporal en el titulo de grado en ciencias del deporte

La Expresión Corporal como materia educativa tiene su origen en España, de forma ligada a la Educación Física y su desarrollo en el ámbito universitario, durante la segunda mitad del siglo XX. Pero su corpus teórico no se encuentra definitivamente asentado, dando lugar a diferentes interpretaciones y consideraciones sobre cuáles deben ser considerados contenidos propios de la materia y sobre cómo deben ser estructurados. La presente tesis tiene por objeto de estudio precisamente los contenidos de la Expresión Corporal como materia perteneciente a las Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte, tratando de dar una respuesta fundamentada al planteamiento anterior. Para lo cual se seleccionaron y analizaron las principales obras de referencia para la materia en base a las cuales establecer una estructura de bloques de contenido y categorías asociadas. Se analizó la oferta formativa que, desde las universidades públicas españolas, se realizaba sobre el título de licenciado en Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte, comprobando por una parte la heterogeneidad en el tratamiento dado y por otra su adecuación a la estructura generada. Y en tercer lugar se examinó la normativa que articula y desarrolla el tratamiento de la Expresión Corporal en la Ley Orgánica de Educación, concretando el análisis en la etapa de Secundaria, en un proceso de triangulación sobre las fuentes documentales de mayor influencia, constatando una aparente falta de estructura en la selección y planteamiento de los contenidos a desarrollar dentro de la asignatura de Educación Física. En base a estas investigaciones, a la propia experiencia docente del doctorando y a la contribución de diferentes expertos en la materia se desarrolla una propuesta estructurada de contenidos de Expresión Corporal, la cual es implementada en el título de grado en Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte ofertado por la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, analizando finalmente el nivel de relevancia que perciben los alumnos respecto de los contenidos de la materia planteados, infiriendo de los resultados obtenidos que se produce un aprendizaje significativo por parte de los futuros titulados. Se organizó la investigación en torno a cinco fases, utilizando en las tres primeras como metodología principal en análisis de contenido de las principales fuentes documentales (obras de referencia, programas docentes universitarios y normativa educativa), la cual es apoyada por otras herramientas como el grupo de discusión. La cuarta fase consistente en la elaboración de una propuesta estructurada de contenidos, contó con la valoración de un grupo de expertos en la materia. Mientras que en la fase de implementación y evaluación se recurrió al formato de entrevista colectiva mediante el empleo de cuestionario auto cumplimentado. La principal contribución de este trabajo es por tanto la presentación de una propuesta de estructuración de contenidos en Expresión Corporal, como parte de las manifestaciones básicas de la motricidad humana y enmarcada en el ámbito de las Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte; que tiene respaldo en las obras de referencia de la materia, en la formación inicial de los licenciados en Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte y en el desarrollo normativo de la Ley Orgánica de Educación; y que ha sido implementada en el actual título de Grado en Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid con resultados satisfactorios. ABSTRACT Corporal Expression as an educational subject has it origin s in Spain, linked to physical education and its development at University context, during the second half of the twentieth century. But his academic corpus has not been definitively settled, leading to different interpretations and considerations about what should be considered as proper contents of subject and how they should be structured. This thesis aims to study precisely the contents of the Corporal Expression as a subject belonging to Sciences of Physical Activity and Sport, trying to give a reasoned response to the previous approach. Taking this objective into consideration, main reference works were selected and analyzed to set a content structure and associated categories. The training offer of Spanish public universities in the Science of Physical Activity and Sport degree was analyzed, checking on the one hand the heterogeneity in the treatment and on the other their suitability to the structure generated. Thirdly, normative related to the treatment of Corporal Expression in the Ley Orgánica de Educación was examined paying special attention to the Secondary School stage. The process of triangulation which was performed using the most influential documentary sources suggested an apparent lack of structure and approach in the selection of contents to be developed in the subject of Physical Education. Based on these investigations, on the own teaching experience of the candidate and on the contribution of various experts in the field, a structured proposal of Corporal Expression contents is offered. This proposal has been implemented in the bachelor's degree in Sports Science offered by the Technical University of Madrid. Level of importance of the implemented contents perceived by students was analyzed and results suggested the presence of meaningful learning among graduates. Research was split into five phases. In the first three phases content analysis of the main documentary sources (reference books, university programs and educational standards), which was supported by other tools like the discussion group was the principal methodology. The fourth phase consisted in the development of a proposal structured content, involving the assessment of a group of experts in the field. In the implementation and evaluation phase collective interview using self-completed questionnaire was conducted The main contribution of this work is therefore presenting a proposal for structuring content in Corporal Expression, as a part of the basic manifestations of human motorskill and framed in the field of Sciences of Physical Activity and Sport; which draws on the support of reference works, initial training of graduates in Science of Physical Activity and Sport and the development of the normative of the Ley Orgánica de Educación; and has been implemented in the current Degree in Sports Science of the Technical University of Madrid with satisfactory results.

Discourses and values underpin public debate on fracking in Spain: a case study at the crossroad

In the EU context extraction of shale and oil gas by hydraulic fracturing (fracking) differs from country to country in terms of legislation and implementation. While fossil fuel extraction using this technology is currently taking place in the UK, Germany and France have adopted respective moratoria. In between is the Spanish case, where hydrocarbon extraction projects through fracking have to undergo mandatory and routine environmental assessment in accordance with the last changes to environmental regulations. Nowadays Spain is at the crossroad with respect to the future of this technology. We presume a social conflictt in our country since the position and strategy of the involved and confronted social actors -national, regional and local authorities, energy companies, scientists, NGO and other social organization- are going to play key and likely divergent roles in its industrial implementation and public acceptance. In order to improve knowledge on how to address these controverted situations from the own engineering context, the affiliated units from the Higher Technical School of Mines and Energy Engineering at UPM have been working on a transversal program to teach values and ethics. Over the past seven years, this pioneering experience has shown the usefulness of applying a consequentialist ethics, based on a case-by-case approach and costs-benefits analysis both for action and inaction. As a result of this initiative a theoretical concept has arisen and crystallized in this field: it is named Inter-ethics. This theoretical perspective can be very helpful in complex situations, with multi-stakeholders and plurality of interests, when ethical management requires the interaction between the respective ethics of each group; professional ethics of a single group is not enough. Under this inter-ethics theoretical framework and applying content analysis techniques, this paper explores the articulation of the discourse in favour and against fracking technology and its underlying values as manifested in the Spanish traditional mass media and emerging social media such as Youtube. Results show that Spanish public discourse on fracking technology includes the costs-benefits analysis to communicate how natural resources from local communities may be affected by these facilities due to environmental, health and economic consequences. Furthermore, this technology is represented as a solution to the "demand of energy" according to the optimistic discourse while, from a pessimistic view, fracking is often framed as a source "environmental problems" and even natural disasters as possible earthquakes. In this latter case, this negative representation could have been influenced by the closure of a macro project to store injected natural gas in the Mediterranean Sea using the old facilities of an oil exploitation in Amposta (Proyecto Cástor). The closure of this project was due to the occurrence of earthquakes whose intensity was higher than the originally expected by the experts in the assessment stage of the project.