Teachers' perception of the students' foreign language learning and the potential role of ICT

This article focuses on the learning problems that arise in the teaching of second languages. Nowadays, the introduction of new technologies in this field has had a relevant effect by offering new possibilities that did not exist in the analogue era. However, many of the learning problems persist, and one of the causes identified is the change in learning styles. The use of new technologies has fostered an experimental learning style among students. This style is incompatible with traditional classes of theory and practice, in which an intellectual effort is required to understand the theory and then put into practice what has been learned. The present work starts from this reality and tries to provide possible improvements. For this, an analysis of the main problems encountered by the learners in the various linguistic acquisition components (lexicon, grammar and processes of comprehension and production, both oral and written) has been carried out. The method used was a questionnaire answered by 113 active language teachers. After the analysis of the answers received, a series of specific problems of the teaching-learning process was enumerated and different IT applications and ICT resources were searched that could solve or at least minimize them

Solutions in the large for the nonlinear hyperbolic conservation laws of gas dynamics

The constraints under which a gas at a certain state will evolve can be given by three partial differential equations which express the conservation of momentum, mass, and energy. In these equations, a particular gas is defined by specifying the constitutive relation e = e(v, S), where e = specific internal energy, v = specific volume, and S = specific entropy. The energy function e = -1n v + (S/R) describes a polytropic gas for the exponent [gamma] = 1, and for this choice of e(V, S), global weak solutions for bounded measurable data having finite total variation were given by Nishida in [10]. Here the following general existence theorem is obtained: let e[epsilon](v, S) be any smooth one parameter family of energy functions such that at [var epsilon] = 0 the energy is given by e0(v, S) = - 1n v + (S/R). It is proven that there exists a constant C independent of [var epsilon], such that, if [var epsilon] [middle dot] (total variation of the initial data) C, then there exists a global weak solution to the equations. Since any energy function can be connected to [var epsilon]0(V, S) by a smooth parameterization, our results give an existence theorem for all the conservation laws of gas dynamics. As a corollary we obtain an existence theorem of Liu, [5.] for polytropic gases. The main point in this argument is that the nonlinear functional used to make the Glimm Scheme converge, depends only on properties of the equations at [var epsilon] = 0. For general n x n systems of conservation laws, this technique provides an alternate proof for the interaction estimates in Glimm's 1965 paper. The new result here is that certain interaction differences are bounded by [var epsilon] as well as by the approaching waves.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/24320/1/0000587.pd

Food production, distribution and culture: public views, interests and concerns

A basic right of both a consumer and a citizen is the right to be heard, and their voiced concerns have to be taken into account when developing policies and obtaining trust for government actions. Therefore this study focuses on consumers’ interests, opinions and expectations which are identified and categorised according to subject area, degree of involvement and political agenda of a consumer. The paper draws on the responses of individual members of the public in the National Food Policy discussion initiated by the Scottish Government in 2008. Altogether 246 responses were subjected to quantitative analysis of texts, supported by text mining. A variety of interests and opinions underpinning the political agendas of individuals responding to the National Food Policy discussion document were identified and discussed in the paper in the context of political consumerism and influence citizens-consumers are likely to have on policy development and its subsequent implementation. In the broad perspective of the Scottish food supply chain, the three pillars of sustainability: economy, environment and society, are defining the nature of public concerns and expectations. Findings could be applied across many different policy areas including food production and distribution, heath education and promotion, support of small local businesses, environment protection, travel, waste management/recycling and others

Teaching Pre-Service Teachers to Repurpose and Innovate Using Online and Mobile Technology Applications

Integrating the use of Web-based and mobile technology applications into K-12 world languages contexts requires innovative teacher preparation models. This chapter evaluates a multi-step technology integration unit that develops in pre-service teachers the skills necessary to plan and carry out learner-centered communicative instruction. Importantly, this unit also incorporates five skills for disruptive innovators. Pre-service teachers blend pedagogy, technology tools, and content in project-based learning lesson design while practicing creative-thinking skills. As student teachers learn to repurpose mobile applications for the language-learning classroom, they empower articulate digital natives and foster 21st century learning. Given technology\u27s constant growth, teaching integration of specific apps will have limited benefits. On the other hand, teaching how to innovate and repurpose will serve student teachers for their entire career. Results of this study show growth in lesson planning, creativity, and innovation skills