Applying semantic knowledge to the automatic processing of temporal expressions and events in natural language

This paper addresses the problem of the automatic recognition and classification of temporal expressions and events in human language. Efficacy in these tasks is crucial if the broader task of temporal information processing is to be successfully performed. We analyze whether the application of semantic knowledge to these tasks improves the performance of current approaches. We therefore present and evaluate a data-driven approach as part of a system: TIPSem. Our approach uses lexical semantics and semantic roles as additional information to extend classical approaches which are principally based on morphosyntax. The results obtained for English show that semantic knowledge aids in temporal expression and event recognition, achieving an error reduction of 59% and 21%, while in classification the contribution is limited. From the analysis of the results it may be concluded that the application of semantic knowledge leads to more general models and aids in the recognition of temporal entities that are ambiguous at shallower language analysis levels. We also discovered that lexical semantics and semantic roles have complementary advantages, and that it is useful to combine them. Finally, we carried out the same analysis for Spanish. The results obtained show comparable advantages. This supports the hypothesis that applying the proposed semantic knowledge may be useful for different languages.

Teaching as a fractal: from experience to model

The aim of this work is to improve students’ learning by designing a teaching model that seeks to increase student motivation to acquire new knowledge. To design the model, the methodology is based on the study of the students’ opinion on several aspects we think importantly affect the quality of teaching (such as the overcrowded classrooms, time intended for the subject or type of classroom where classes are taught), and on our experience when performing several experimental activities in the classroom (for instance, peer reviews and oral presentations). Besides the feedback from the students, it is essential to rely on the experience and reflections of lecturers who have been teaching the subject several years. This way we could detect several key aspects that, in our opinion, must be considered when designing a teaching proposal: motivation, assessment, progressiveness and autonomy. As a result we have obtained a teaching model based on instructional design as well as on the principles of fractal geometry, in the sense that different levels of abstraction for the various training activities are presented and the activities are self-similar, that is, they are decomposed again and again. At each level, an activity decomposes into a lower level tasks and their corresponding evaluation. With this model the immediate feedback and the student motivation are encouraged. We are convinced that a greater motivation will suppose an increase in the student’s working time and in their performance. Although the study has been done on a subject, the results are fully generalizable to other subjects.

Monitoring and Prevention the Smart Cities

Nowadays, the intensive use of Technology Information (TI) provide solutions to problems of the high population density, energy conservation and cities management. This produces a newest concept of the city, Smart City. But the inclusion of TI in the city brings associated new problems, specifically the generation of electromagnetic fields from the available and new technological infrastructures installed in the city that did not exist before. This new scenario produces a negative effect on a particular group of the society, as are the group of persons with electromagnetic hypersensitivity pathology. In this work we propose a system that would allow you to detect and prevent the continuous exposure to such electromagnetic fields, without the need to include more devices or infrastructure which would only worsen these effects. Through the use of the architecture itself and Smart City services, it is possible to infer the necessary knowledge to know the situation of the EMF radiation and thus allow users to avoid the areas of greatest conflict. This knowledge, not only allows us to get EMF current map of the city, but also allows you to generate predictions and detect future risk situations.

Benefits of management systems integration: a literature review

The purpose of this paper is to identify the benefits of integrated management systems by comparing them with the benefits obtained through the individual implementation of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards. The methodology used is a literature review based on an electronic search in the Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Emerald databases. Findings show that although some benefits are common regardless the system management type, the benefits obtained with integration are greater than considering management systems separately because of the wider scope considered in integration. This is one of the first papers, to the best of our knowledge, to compare benefits from the two management systems standards when implemented separately and when integrated. In addition, some ideas are proposed for consideration in future research on the internalization of management systems and selection effect.

¿Cómo dar sentido a las situaciones de enseñanza-aprendizaje de las Matemáticas? Algunos aspectos de la competencia docente del profesor

La idea de competencia docente del profesor puede ser entendida como el ser capaz de usar el conocimiento de manera pertinente en el desarrollo de las tareas profesionales vinculadas a la enseñanza de las matemáticas. Un aspecto de la competencia docente es “mirar de manera profesional” la enseñanza de las matemáticas. Mirar de manera profesional debe ser entendido como poder identificar lo que es relevante para el aprendizaje de las matemáticas de los estudiantes e interpretarlo para fundamentar la toma de decisiones de acción según los objetivos planteados. Se presentan características de dos situaciones en las que es posible identificar rasgos de esta competencia: reconocer la legitimidad de las respuestas de los alumnos a algunas tareas matemáticas cuando éstas no reflejan un procedimiento estándar, y reconocer la progresión en la comprensión de los estudiantes de alguna idea matemática.

Narraciones espaciales desde el cuerpo. Una aproximación arquitectónica a las relaciones de sumisión, violencia y armonía

Este trabajo de investigación pretende poner en valor una comprensión del espacio desde la vinculación existente entre el cuerpo y el complejo e inestable ambiente que habita. Por un lado, el cuerpo, con sus relaciones, acciones y afectos, se erige como la herramienta clave para entender las dinámicas de producción espacial contemporánea, por otro, la inclusión de la escala humana, hace que los grandes relatos se desvanezcan en favor de una serie de vínculos sensibles que re-humanizan la arquitectura y atienden a las sensaciones del individuo. Así, se pone de manifiesto una narración que sitúa al cuerpo como protagonista y en la que su vinculación con la espacialidad fluctúa entre la sumisión, la violencia y la armonía para con los otros cuerpos y el espacio. Como caso de estudio, se ha tomado la más abyecta y violenta de las construcciones: el campo de concentración de Auschwitz, en un intento de re-pensarlo desde los afectos del individuo y de problematizar las relaciones y acciones contemporáneas –que de acuerdo con el filósofo Michael Foucault- derivan hacia derroteros de control y violencias invisibles. Dicha tarea se nutre de una multiplicidad de cartografías como instrumento de conocimiento para visibilizar narraciones arquitectónicas a través del cuerpo, con el objetivo tanto del análisis de situaciones acontecidas, como de operar sobre nuevas oportunidades espaciales.

De la reflexión a la acción. Relato de la experiencia RoadsMOOC, como viaje educomunicativo de transformación personal y social

Con la intención de experimentar con nuevas formas de aprendizaje a través de la Educomunicación y de los MOOCs sociales o sMOOC, creamos una experiencia de aprendizaje colaborativo y de empoderamiento individual y social, a través de nuestra propuesta “Road sMOOC: Un viaje Eduktransformador”, llevado a cabo en la Plataforma ECOLearning. La finalidad de este sMOOC ha sido emprender un viaje de descubrimiento personal y de alfabetización digital crítica, motivando a los participantes a que dejen aflorar su potencial transformador y que participen activamente en las redes sociales, generando así un aprendizaje colectivo y aumentando el impacto social de nuestras acciones. Se reflexiona sobre los autores que nos inspiraron, sobre lo que entendemos por Educomunicación transformadora y las posibilidades que ofrecen los sMOOC. Finalmente resumimos los objetivos, recursos creados, aprendizajes compartidos y conclusiones que surgen al co-crear una identidad colectiva y un espíritu de trabajo en comunidad como “Eduktransformers”.