Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Vocational training

Genetic Code

• Each codon or triplet codes for a specific amino acid.
• It is degenerate: Amino acids can be coded by more than one codon or triplet (some triplets are synonyms). There are 64 codons for 20 amino acids.
• It is not ambiguous: Each codon encodes only one type of amino acid.
• It is universal: Apart from a few small exceptions.
• There are triplets that determine the beginning of translation ('start codon'): AUG (It codes for the amino acid methionine - Met).
• There are triplets that determine the end of translation ('termination' or 'stop' codons): UAA, UAG, UGA (They do not code for any amino acids).

Chromosomes

They are stick-shaped structures that arise from the condensation and packaging of chromatin during the division phases (mitosis and... Continue reading "Key Concepts: Genetic Code, Chromosomes, DNA, Cell Cycle" »

List the 6 Areas of Teacher Knowledge (Richards, 1998)

1. Theories of teaching

2. Development of teaching competences and skills

3. Content knowledge of the different subjects

4. Psychopedagogical and didactic knowledge

5. Knowledge of the school context

6. Practical knowledge

Specific Knowledge for English Teachers

Specific knowledge, often gained through experience, is crucial for effective teaching. According to Richards, skilled English teachers should excel in:

1. Selecting learning activities

2. Preparing students for new learning

3. Presenting learning activities

4. Asking questions

5. Checking students’ understanding

6. Providing opportunities for practice of new items

7. Monitoring students’ learning

8. Giving feedback on student learning

Why is Lesson Planning Important?

Lesson planning... Continue reading "Essential Teacher Knowledge and Lesson Planning in English Language Teaching" »

Research Findings on the Age of Second Language Acquisition

Burstall's 1975 Study on Language Instruction Age

Burstall (1975) carried out a pilot study in England and Wales comparing two groups of students who had five years of language instruction. One group had begun learning French at the age of 8, while the second group had started at the beginning of secondary school (age 11). Her results showed that the learners who had started later were consistently superior.

Muñoz et al.'s 2003 Comparison of Initial Instruction Ages

Muñoz et al.’s (2003) comparison of three different initial ages of instruction in a foreign language (8, 11, and 14) showed that after a similar number of hours of instruction, students who had started when they were older... Continue reading "Second Language Acquisition Research: Age of Instruction and Learning Outcomes" »

Medical Supplies

Vital signs (signos vitales), blood pressure (presión arterial), pulse (pulso), respiration rate (frecuencia respiratoria), stitch cutter (tijeras), sterile gloves (guante estéril), sterile waste bag (bolsa de basura estéril), sterile tray (bandeja estéril), sutures (suturas), cleansing solution (solución limpiadora), apron (delantal), tied back (atado atrás)

Synonyms

Remove/take out (eliminar), Stitches/sutures (puntadas), pull/tug (tirón), cut/snip (cortar), healed/joined up (curado), scissors/stitch cutter (tijeras), take off/pull off (quitarse), get better/heal (mejorar)

Facility Areas

Garden (jardín), TV room (sala de la TV), exercise program (programa de ejercicios), day trip (excursión), computer room (sala de ordenadores)... Continue reading "Medical Supplies, Synonyms, and Verbs for Emergency Situations" »

Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Explained

Power Distance Index (PDI): The extent to which the less powerful members of society accept that power is distributed unequally.

• High PDI: High dependence, inequality accepted, hierarchy needed, superiors inaccessible, privileges exist, change by revolution, respect for old age.

Antigone: A Tragedy of Pride and Divine Law

Thebes stands unconquered, though Polynices and his allies attacked it. Polynices and his brother Eteocles are both dead, killed by each other, fulfilling the curse of their father, Oedipus.

Outside the city gates, Antigone tells Ismene that Creon has ordered Eteocles, who defended the city, to be buried with full honors. However, Polynices, the invader, is to be left unburied. Creon has decreed that anyone attempting to bury Polynices will be publicly stoned to death. Outraged, Antigone reveals her plan to bury Polynices in secret, defying Creon's order. Ismene timidly refuses to defy the king, and Antigone angrily rejects her, determined to bury her brother alone.

Creon discovers that someone has attempted... Continue reading "Antigone: Tragedy of Pride and Divine Law" »

Social Status and Position

Status refers to the social position an individual occupies, recognized by others, and is a basic element of social structure.

Both social position and status encompass expectations, responsibilities, and privileges. They significantly determine how a person acts within a social context.

Ultimately, status provides an individual with a social identity.

Status Combination

Individuals often occupy more than one social position throughout their lives, leading to a combination of statuses.

Types of Status

• Assigned Status: Ascribed at birth or involuntarily later in life (e.g., family of origin, ethnicity, health conditions, gender).
• Acquired Status / Meritocratic Status: Achieved through effort, skill, or choice (e.g., educational

Corporate Culture

What is Corporate Culture?

Corporate culture refers to the beliefs and behaviors that determine how a company's employees and management interact and handle outside business transactions. It's characterized by being:

• Shared
• Pervasive
• Enduring
• Implicit

Corporate culture implies:

• Behaviors observed regularly in the relationships between individuals.
• The norms that are developed in working groups.
• The philosophy that guides a company's policy regarding its employees or customers.
• The dominant values accepted by a company.
• The "rules of the game", that is, the ways that a newcomer must learn to be accepted as a member of the group.
• The environment or climate.

6 Components of a Great Corporate Culture

1. Vision

A company's mission, often expressed... Continue reading "Understanding Corporate Culture: Its Importance and Impact" »

Population and Society

Demography is the study of population. It examines a population’s volume and the causes for its growth or decrease. This field is ruled by three primary factors: birth, death, and migrations.

The elements that influence these three factors are usually social and cultural in nature, which is why demography is considered a branch of sociology.

The Importance of Statistics

Statistics have great importance in the study of population. Nevertheless, statistics do not always reflect 100% real data, and this must be taken into account when studying the information.

Basic Demographic Concepts

• Birth rate: The number of annual births per 1,000 inhabitants.
• Fertility rate: The average number of births per 1,000 women of childbearing age.

Exclusion and Poverty

Poverty and Inequality

Defining Poverty

Poverty is a complex issue with various dimensions:

• Absolute Poverty: Lack of essential resources to meet basic needs like food, shelter, education, and healthcare.
• Relative Poverty: Having an income level below the societal average, even if basic needs are met.

Measuring Poverty

• Absolute Poverty: Establishing a fixed poverty line applicable to all locations.
• Relative Poverty: Comparing a specific group's income to the rest of the population.

Poverty as a Lack of Ability

Poverty should be viewed as a deprivation of basic abilities, often linked to income. While income is a crucial factor, it's not the sole determinant of one's capabilities.

The Relationship Between Income and Ability

Understanding... Continue reading "Social Exclusion and Poverty: An Abilities-Based Approach" »