A Mechatronics Major Will Soon Be Offered At UTN - Are You Superstitious? In Memory Of Joaquín Salvador Lavado Tejón, Quino, Creator Of Mafalda
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2021 ISSUE #98 APRIL
A Mechatronics Major Will
Soon Be Offered At UTN
Are You Superstitious?
In Memory Of Joaquín Salvador
Lavado Tejón, Quino, Creator
Of Mafalda
INSIDE COVER PAGE
This month our cover page is dedicated
2 EDITORIAL
to Mafalda, a cartoon girl who cared
UTN NEWS about humanity and world peace and,
3 CONARE Interuniversity Campus Will in her own way, struggled against the
Move to The UTN Facilities In Alajuela problems she saw around her. If you have
4 A Mechatronics Major Will Soon Be an awesome picture you think could be on
Offered At UTN the cover of one of The ILE Post editions,
send it to eherrera@utn.ac.cr. So far several
AROUND THE GLOBE
readers have sent amazing pictures
5 China Cut “Carbon Intensity” 18.8% that we will be sharing with you soon.
In Past Five Years, In Effort To Rein In If you want to know what is happening
Emissions in ILE, follow us on FACEBOOK.
5 Bill Gates Denies Conspiracy Theories
He Created Virus Outbrake Photo Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
File:Mafalda_(15843372432).jpg
6 Live Animal Markets Should Be Closed This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
To Prevent the Next Pandemic All materials used and produced by The ILE Post are for educational purposes. They can be used
THE ILE ETHOS and reproduced for educational purposes as long as you credit you for the original creation.
7 Are You Superstitious?
9 Technology Enhances Language
Acquisition
10
ACADEMICS AND MORE
Thought Experiment On Post-COVID
CONTRIBUTORS
Jenaro Diaz-Ducca English For You
Cambridge Suggests That For
Universities, Blending Is A New Beginning Eugenia González Essay Writer
12 VOX POPULI Clare Goodman Academic Editor
THE STUDENTS’ VOICE Christian Moya Essay Writer
13 Fast Food Consumption
Xinia Nagygéller Essay Writer
14 Technology Now And Then
Izabella Sepúlveda News Translator
POP WORLD
15 Is There Truth In The Psychology Of Jose Soto Editorial
Colour Or Is It Simply Down to Personal Alejandra Villalobos Essay Writer
Taste?
DID YOU KNOW...?
16 What Would Happen If Earth Stopped
Orbiting The Sun?
TECHNOLOGY BITS
17 Using Wakelet Collections And Spaces
To Curate Personal And Collaborative
Compilations
LANGUAGE CORNER
19 In Memory Of Joaquín Salvador Lavado
Tejón, Quino, Creator Of Mafalda
20 English For You
21 LOUDER THAN WORDS
www.facebook.com/TheILEPost?fref=ts
1
EDITORIAL
Reflections On The Student And The Teacher
In Times Of Remote And Virtual Learning
by Jose Soto (ILE Director)
After a year of working online with students, major has its particularities. A student’s success in a remote and vir-
we have gained a lot of experience regard- tual learning modality will depend on a high commitment to his or
ing how a language is learned. Remote and her own learning. This implies that they will need to be constantly
virtual teaching of English for teachers has measuring their acquired skills and knowledge with real-world tasks.
gone from being a challenge to an uncertain This also requires that they know how to deal with the process of trial
process that depends on several factors. One and error that is the cornerstone of language skill formation. Among
of these is the student factor. In-situ teaching many other factors, it also implies that the learner must know very
kept us comfortable in our classrooms perform- well the objectives achieved and how to modify his process in order
ing the pedagogical mediation that we know to modify his or her learning path. These are many responsibilities for
thanks to our professional training. The student vs. methodological a person without a fundamental guide. The fundamental premise
factor gives us quite a different picture if the process is face-to-face will always lead us to an important conclusion: the student will re-
or virtual. In the end, a decisive factor will always be the human quire another person to be successful in his or her learning. An edu-
teaching factor. cational professional will always be important.
Paulo Freire has insisted that each person receives education differ- All these reflections can be compared to many others that could
ently depending on his or her context and experience. Therefore, tip the balance towards the student, the process, or the teacher.
what the student already knows must be incorporated. In addition, However, the human factor will remain if technologies do not solve
the student not only has a learning style, but also has many ways of the permanent paradox of flesh and blood education. Artificial in-
learning. In a virtual and remote learning environment, the question telligence has not yet crossed the line of completely autonomous
arises as to how much these two premises can really be considered teaching mechanisms, or not that we know of yet.
for successful learning and teaching. On the shoulders of the teach- Learning a language requires motivation from the learner. Part of
er lies the responsibility to make it happen. that motivation is the experience with the object of learning and its
Some authors, such as Sciacca, visualize education as a process guidance. It is not the same to learn a language in a face-to-face
that is carried out from the person; teaching does not have an ed- environment with someone or sitting in front of a screen for three
ucational character in itself, but in an instrumental function with re- hours a day. In today’s remote and virtual context, we need to un-
spect to learning (1976), says the author. Could it be then that the derstand that the student will remain active in his learning as long as
student has more responsibility for learning? It cannot be so from the teacher knows how to diversify the online and real-world experi-
a literal point of view since the person will always look for a way to ences. More than ever, the need for a teacher has been required.
find a guide to learn. This guide has lost its physical definition today At the UTN, the learning of different competencies and knowledge
and has become omnipresent. If a person needs to learn, he or she depends on how teachers promote this process. Therefore, it is nec-
will look for a way to do so, and today virtual environments have essary to understand that the teacher is the main factor in our insti-
provided the answer. Does this mean that teachers are no longer tutional pedagogical context of 2021. Listening to the student in his
necessary? or her difficulties in learning also means listening to the teacher in his
Far from reaching that conclusion, it is necessary to analyze many or her difficulties in teaching. There is someone who needs to learn
important aspects. A person’s responsibility to provide effective first, and then someone who must be well equipped and informed
learning implies that he or she will search for the most appropriate on how to do this.
way. This search starts from a need for a professional-based training Finally, lack of resources, time and space are as much of a chal-
to one of a technical or immediate nature. Training in a specific pro- lenge for the student as they are for the teacher. Each has a share
fession is not the same as looking for online tutorials on how to build of responsibility in the educational function, and it is the responsibility
a table, for example. The focus here is on the first element, a student of proper administration to provide enough for both. If one is not
does not learn a profession just by watching online tutorials. The stu- fine, the other will not be. Investment in teacher welfare is as neces-
dent requires a guide based on a previously defined pedagogical sary as investment in student welfare. Reaching a balance remains
process. The human factor will always be needed to elaborate such a constant challenge, and it requires a great deal
a guide. This applies to language teaching as well. of wisdom and judgment as when one requires
The case of language learners in an English as a Foreign Language more attention than the other.
2
UTN NEWS
CONARE Interuniversity Campus Will Move
to The UTN Facilities In Alajuela
Translated By Izabela Sepúlveda (ILE Professor)
plan of the campus, which
requires architectural analysis
and feasibility to define if some
of the existing modules 1, 2, 3
and / or 4 are intervened or if
empty land is used. This solution
is projected for a period of 2 to
3 years.
To implement it, a work commission was
formed, made up of: Gustavo Otáro-
la Vega, Director of the Administrative
Area of CONARE, Gastón Baudrit Ruíz,
Director of CONARE’s Legal Counsel,
William Rojas Meléndez, Dean of the
Headquarters of the UTN, Oscar Quirós
phase involved the transfer to Morera, Academic of the UTN, Noelia
On March 8th, members of the Univer- Soto González, Administrative Head of
sity Council of the Universidad Técnica the UTN of 23 courses taught the SIAU, Adriana Brenes Porras of the
Nacional and the National Council of at the current Headquarters, Engineering and Architecture Unit of
Deans (CONARE), held a meeting to however, due to the health the UTN and Jonathan Morales Arias,
initiate the execution of the agreement emergency caused by the Director of Legal Affairs of the UTN; who
to transfer the Interuniversity Campus pandemic, remote teaching have already started their coordination
of Alajuela (SIAU) to the facilities of the was maintained and students work. It is expected that the building will
UTN campus, located in Villa Bonita, in did not need to use the be available next year and the trans-
Alajuela. planned classrooms. fer of the SIAU will be completed in the
This proposal, initially promoted by the 2. The second stage is projected year 2023.
dean of the UTN and supported by the in the medium term and
Commission of Academic Coordinators consists of three specific 3. The third stage is long-term
of the SIAU, aims to join efforts towards actions: and consists, in addition to the
the better use of university budgetary •Remodeling of the second aforementioned, in the
resources, to strengthen the develop- floor of module 9 (building of construction of its own
ment of joint substantive teaching ac- the Center for Technological University Campus, which
tivities, research, extension and social Development in Engineering), houses the Interuniversity
action. which has the civil and Campus of Alajuela, at
This initiative looks for a viable solution mechanical works to build 6 Finca González in the Atenas
to infrastructure limitations. In the first laboratories / classrooms. Campus, linked to the project
instance, it seeks to solve the problem These spaces would be used of the UNED campus, in that
in the occupational health conditions by both the SIAU and the UTN canton.
of the SIAU facilities, according to the and could be executed within
studies presented by the occupational 6 months. This strategy, which has already
health commissions of the universities. •Construction of a building been initiated, will make it possible to
These studies have determined serious with 24 classrooms planned for strengthen the link, articulation and
inconsistencies in the infrastructure, module 7, which is the same as management among state universities
which has put the university community the building of module 6, to maximize resources and the promo-
lives at risk if faced by natural disasters. currently the land is being reserved tion of the integral development of the
Likewise, the building presents a limita- for that purpose, with its country.
tion in installed capacity, as a result of respective construction This is one more example of the interest
the increased number of students en- services. This work requires a that state universities and, of course,
rolled in the SIAU and, in addition, with complete design process, the UTN have, to strengthen articulat-
the strengthening of this Headquarters, generation of construction ed regional management to contribute
the needs of university regionalization plans, construction permits, to the democratization of knowledge
will continue to be met. bidding and construction, and the social, cultural, environmental
The proposal consists of three stages: which could be ready in and economic growth of the country,
approximately 15 months. through the teaching, research, exten-
1. The first, short-term, began in •Construction of a new building sion and social action.
the first cycle of 2021. This is not foreseen in the master
3 To read original news in Spanish, go to: https://www.utn.ac.cr/content/sede-interuniversitaria-de-conare-se-trasladará-las-instalaciones-de-la-utn-en-alajuela
UTN NEWS
A Mechatronics Major Will Soon Be Offered At UTN
Translated By Izabela Sepúlveda (ILE Professor)
As a result of the initiative of the Rectory of the Universidad
Técnica Nacional, on Monday, March 8th, a meeting was held
between members of the University Council of the UTN and
the National Council of Rectors (CONARE) to publicize the
endorsement to give the pilot plan of the new Mechatronics
Major that raises a paradigm break with a new Academic
Innovation Plan that satisfies all the pedagogical and meth-
odological aspects of the Educational Model of the UTN, fully
aligned with the National Framework of Qualifications (MNC)
and the Central American Higher Education Qualifications
Framework (MCESCA).
Emmanuel González Alvarado, Dean of the UTN indicated
that the project also contemplates that by virtue of CONARE’s
approval of the Mechatronics Major from the UTN and due to
its modular design, this can become a joint offer of the Public
Universities, which have careers related, in the Interuniversity
Campus of Alajuela and in this way, to be a model of inter- Results.
university articulation for “The framework of Qualifications of • Continuous evaluation, through diagnostic, formative
Technical Education”. and term evaluation techniques. The evolution of
“We are giving an example as a university, to function as a learning is measured through learning indicators.
single system with the other sister universities so that career is • Academic management linked to the productive
likely to be offered with funds from FEES, which would reduce sector. Learning techniques in real contexts that
the costs of laboratories and equipment. On the other hand, provide solutions to productive needs through public
this career is approved with a vision of a new educational and public-private partnerships.
model and academic innovation, which is a significant ad- • Insertion of the Professional Certification Program in
vance in university education”. González mentioned. Industry 4.0, under the UTN-SACA alliance.
The agreement for the approval of the Major was taken by • Academic dynamics based on learning cells (CA)
CONARE in session 7-2021, held on March 2nd, 2021. accompanied by a learning mediation team (EMA).
• Transformation of the classroom concept by the
Academic Innovation Project in Mechatronics concept of Techno-environmental Habitat (HTA).
Major Pilot Plan, under a disruptive and innovative • Integrating project of the entire study plan.
pedagogical approach
In addition, it is intended to centralize all academic man-
The objective of implementing this pilot plan is to evaluate agement through the use of advanced communication and
the performance of an innovative process of University ed- information technologies through a learning management
ucation at the undergraduate level, focused on the forma- computer platform (PGA), which facilitates personalized
tion of the whole human being, oriented to technical training monitoring of the meaningful learning of each student, to
that maximizes efficiency and effectiveness in Meaningful take timely corrective actions and at the same time allows
Learning. All this, in response to the demands of Costa Rican for mixed activities, both face-to-face and virtual (inside and
society in accordance with technological evolution and outside the university campus) in a context of Educational
competitiveness in a globalized world. Technology and Intelligent University.
The main characteristics of Academic Innovation, proposed For its part, the study plan will have a generic approach in
in the study plan are: the context of Mechatronics, reinforcing the theme corre-
Active and Metacognitive Learning centered on the student. sponding to Industry 4.0, to facilitate the graduate’s perfor-
It is an autonomous learning with pedagogical mediation, mance in different fields of the labor market.
based on challenges and challenges. The Pilot Plan for the Diploma in Mechatronics will be of 5
years with three cohorts, so that it allows three evaluations of
• Inter and transdisciplinarity of Knowledge, based on their performance (one for each cohort).
challenges The UTN projects the beginning of the academic offer from
• Inter and transdisciplinarity of Knowledge evolves from the 1st semester of 2022, with the opening of three groups
a fractional knowledge per year, for three years, each with a maximum capacity of
• The curricular structure transcends the traditional model 25 students, for a total of 75 students per year and one total
based on thematic courses to a model based on population of 225 students.
modules made up of thematic nuclei.
• The learning process focuses on the development of
Professional Competences managed by Learning
To read original news in Spanish, go to: https://www.utn.ac.cr/content/conare-da-aval-para-que-la-utn-imparta-la-carrera-de-diplomado-en-mecatrónica-bajo-un-modelo
4
AROUND THE GLOBE
China Cut “Carbon Intensity” 18.8% In Past
Five Years, In Effort To Rein In Emissions
China, the world’s biggest emitter of the Paris Agreement, China has been
greenhouse gases, succeeded in low- boosting renewable energy consump-
ering “carbon intensity” by 18.8% in the tion and curbing coal burning to re-
five years through 2020, a Ministry of duce carbon dioxide emissions.
Ecology and Environment (MEE) report China will have to improve energy ef-
said, showing the economy’s reduced ficiency and further reduce its use of
reliance on fossil fuels. coal to meet Xi’s goal.
The decline in “carbon intensity” — the A new carbon intensity target is expect-
amount of carbon dioxide emissions ed to be contained, along with other
the country produces per unit of GDP climate-related targets such as ener-
— beat the official target for an 18% gy consumption control, in a five year
reduction. During the five-year period, plan for 2021-2025 that is due to be pre-
China’s GDP increased to 101.6 trillion sented to China’s parliament later this
yuan ($15.71 trillion), from 68.9 trillion month.
yuan in 2015, Reuters reorted. The ministry’s statement said heavy
For 2020 alone, carbon intensity fell metals, in particular cadmium, were
1% from a year earlier, according to a major pollutants endangering the quali-
statement issued by the National Bu- ty of China’s farmland, while also saying
reau of Statistic. that more than 90% of the total con- year in the offshore marine areas near
President Xi Jinping has pledged to taminated arable land last year was Shanghai and the eastern province of
cap carbon emissions before 2030 and safe for agriculture. Jiangsu.
achieve the carbon neutrality by 2060. The ministry also warned that the wa-
To meet commitments made under ter quality had deteriorated in the past
Information taken from; https://irandaily.ir/News/281303.html Image taken from: www.pixabay.com
Bill Gates Denies Conspiracy Theories
He Created Virus Outbrake
Doctored photos and fabricated news generate “vaccine hesitancy.”
articles crafted by conspiracy theorists
— shared thousands of times on social Since the start of the crisis, AFP Fact
media platforms and messaging apps, Check has debunked dozens of an-
in various languages — targeting Gates ti-Gates rumors circulating on platforms
have gained traction online since the like Facebook, WhatsApp and Insta-
start of the pandemic. gram in languages including English,
A video accusing Gates of wanting “to French, Spanish, Polish and Czech.
eliminate 15 percent of the population” A number of accusations, including
through vaccination and electronic mi- posts claiming that the FBI arrested
crochips has racked up millions of views Gates for biological terrorism or that he
on YouTube. supports a Western plot to poison Afri-
“Our foundation has given more mon- cans, share a common thread.
ey to buy vaccines to save lives than They accuse the tycoon of exploiting
any group,” Gates said, referring to his the crisis, whether it is to “control peo-
eponymous foundation. ple” or make money from selling vac-
He has pledged $250 million in efforts cines.
to fight the pandemic, and his founda- “I’m a big believer in getting the truth
Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates tion has spent billions of dollars improv- out,” Gates told CNN.
pushed back against some of the con- ing health care in developing countries It is not the first time Gates has found
spiracy theories spreading online ac- over the past 20 years. himself targeted by conspiracy theo-
cusing him of creating the coronavirus “So you just turn that around. You say, rists. When Zika virus broke out in 2015
outbreak. ok, we’re making money and we’re try- in Brazil, he was one of several powerful
“It’s a bad combination of pandemic ing to kill people with vaccines or by in- Western figures blamed for the disease.
and social media and people looking venting something,” Gates continued. Other rumors claim he is secretly a liz-
for a very simple explanation,” the Mic- “And at least it’s true, we’re associated ard, an old favorite among online trolls.
rosoft founder said during a CNN Town with vaccines, but you actually have
Hall interview on Thursday, AFP report- sort of flipped the connection,” he said,
ed. adding he hopes the conspiracies don’t
5 Information taken from: https://irandaily.ir/News/271917.html Image taken from: www.pixabay.com
AROUND THE GLOBE
Live Animal Markets Should Be Closed
To Prevent the Next Pandemic
By Reynard Loki (April 1st, 2021)
The exact origin of the coronavirus called
SARS-CoV-2, which started the COVID-19
pandemic, is still unclear. Early reports sug-
gested that the virus jumped from an ani-
mal to a human at Wuhan’s Huanan Sea-
food Wholesale Market, a “wet market”
that sells live animals. On March 30th, the
international team of scientists assembled
by the World Health Organization (WHO)
published a report of their recent visit to
Wuhan to investigate the source of the vi-
rus and confirmed the “zoonotic source of mechanisms such as genetic reassort- robust, bipartisan support the bill received
SARS-CoV-2.” ment, recombination and mutation,” ac- last year and we’re committed to building
“Evidence from surveys and targeted stud- cording to a paper written by a team of on that momentum to see this bill become
ies so far have shown that the coronavirus- microbiologists from the University of Hong law.”
es most highly related to SARS-CoV-2 are Kong and published in the journal Current In addition to their threat to public health,
found in bats and pangolins, suggesting Opinion in Infectious Diseases in 2006. They wet markets are sites of extreme pain
that these mammals may be the reservoir add that these markets, “at closer prox- and suffering for so many animals. “Wild
of the virus that causes COVID-19,” the imity to humans, with high viral burden or animals sold in commercial wildlife mar-
WHO report states. “In addition to these strains of higher transmission efficiency, kets endure extreme stress and unsanitary
findings, the high susceptibility of mink facilitate transmission of the viruses to hu- conditions before being slaughtered,”
and cats to SARS-CoV- 2 suggests that mans.” according to the Animal Legal Defense
additional species of animals may act as “Once you walk into one of these plac- Fund, a nonprofit based in Cotati, Cali-
a potential reservoir. … Several samples es, it’s quite obvious why they’re called fornia, that works to pass state and fed-
from patients with exposure to the Hua- wet markets,” said Jason Beaubien, NPR’s eral legislation supporting animal rights.
nan market had identical virus genomes, global health and development corre- “As the world continues to grapple with
suggesting that they may have been part spondent, on the radio station’s “Morning COVID-19, our continued exploitation of
of a cluster.” Edition” show last year. “Live fish in open animals and our environment is fueling the
Virologists believe that these sites, which tubs are splashing water all over the place. next pandemic. Shutting down commer-
bring together a variety of live animals The countertops of the stalls are red with cial wildlife markets—and the internation-
into close contact with humans, are ide- blood as fish are gutted and filleted right al wildlife trade—is critical both to reduc-
al places for this sort of interspecies viral in front of the customers’ eyes. There are ing the risk of novel zoonotic disease and
transmission. In 2002, for example, scien- live turtles and crustaceans climbing over animal suffering.”
tists identified the severe acute respirato- each other in boxes. Melting ice adds to “We must acknowledge the basic tenet
ry syndrome (SARS) coronavirus in Hima- the slush on the floor. So things are wet.” that the more we destroy and intrude on
layan palm civets, a small mammal, in wet In January, Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) and nature, the more likely zoonotic spillovers
markets in Shenzhen in southern China. Fred Upton (R-MI) reintroduced bipartisan will occur,” said Dr. Walzer. “Zoonotic spill-
SARS-CoV-2 is a strain of SARS. legislation to address the public health over events and subsequent outbreaks
“While there remains a need for more in- risks posed by wildlife markets, called the are inevitable, as the interfaces between
vestigation, we are not surprised about Preventing Future Pandemics Act (H.R. wildlife and humans increase, primarily
the wildlife origin referenced in the report 151). The bill “prohibits importing, export- due to deforestation and agricultural ex-
and we know enough to act now to re- ing, purchasing, or selling live wild animals pansion.”
duce risks of future zoonotic pandemics,” in the United States for human consump- The cruelty to animals witnessed at wet
said Dr. Christian Walzer, chief global tion as food or medicine.” markets points to a deeper, ethical con-
veterinarian of the Wildlife Conservation It also directs the Department of the In- cern about how we view and treat oth-
Society, in a press statement. “Some 60 terior to “hire, train, and deploy at least er species. In November 2020, during an
percent of emerging infectious diseases 50 new U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service law interview with Euronews, Jane Goodall,
reported globally are zoonoses, causing enforcement attachés around the world.” the renowned British primatologist and
about 1 billion cases of human illness and Additionally, the bill obliges the United ethologist, said that “we, in part, brought
millions of deaths every year. Of the more States to work with other members of the [COVID-19] on ourselves by our disrespect
than 30 new human pathogens detect- United Nations toward instituting a global of nature and our disrespect of animals.”
ed in the last three decades, 75 percent ban on commercial wildlife markets and She added, “We push animals into closer
have originated in animals. Important- enforcement of wildlife trafficking laws. A contact with humans. We hunt them, eat
ly, research has shown zoonotic-origin companion bill, S. 37, was introduced into them, traffic them, sell them as exotic pets
pathogens increase along the supply the Senate by Senators Cory Booker (D- around the world, we put them in factory
chain from source to market.” NJ) and John Cornyn (R-TX). farms in terrible close conditions and all
Wet markets are “unique epicenters for “For the sake of our health, our economy, these situations can lead to an environ-
transmission of potential viral pathogens, and our livelihoods, preventing the next ment where a pathogen, like a virus, can
[where] new genes may be acquired or pandemic before it starts is perhaps the jump from an animal to a person, where it
existing genes modified through various most important thing we must do,” said may cause a new disease like COVID-19.”
Rep. Quigley. “We were thrilled with the
This article was produced by Earth | Food | Life, a project of the Independent Media Institute. 6
Information taken from: https://citizentruth.org/live-animal-markets-should-be-closed-to-prevent-the-next-pandemic/ Image taken from: www.pixabay.com
THE ILE ETHOS
Are You Superstitious?
Written by Xinia Nagygéller (ILE Professor)
that idea. For example, take the American belief
or superstition that number 13 is really bad luck.
Very superstitious,
This is reflected in the fact that many buildings
Writing’s on the wall, in the US do not have a thirteenth floor, or in the
Very superstitious, case of many people who will not go to work or
Ladders bout’ to fall, do anything considered risky on the thirteenth
day of the month. By the way, the series of movies
Thirteen month old baby, titled Friday the 13th is based on this belief: that
Broke the lookin’ glass because it is the thirteenth day and it falls on a
Seven years of bad luck, Friday, creepy and scary things may happen, es-
The good things in your past pecially to those who wander around at night!
Another irrational belief that is mentioned in the
When you believe in things Wonder’s song is the fear of walking under lad-
That you don’t understand, ders, a belief that we have in our Costa Rican
Then you suffer, culture too. Can this action really bring you bad
luck? I do not know, but I would not risk it. A lad-
Superstition ain’t the way
der may be leaning against the wall in a very un-
The lyrics above come from Stevie Wonder’s 1974 safe position so that if I touch it, it may fall on me
song “Superstition” (Superstition). In this verse, the or something. Also, what about black cats? Why
songwriter mentions a few very common supersti- is it bad luck in the American culture if a black
tions in the American culture. But, what is a super- cat crosses your path? Isn’t the cat just going
stition, really? somewhere and meeting you by chance? Relat-
The Merriam-Webster dictionary online defines su- ed to this idea, did you know that in Las Vegas
perstition /soo-per-stish-uhn/ as “a belief or prac- gamblers will not play games if a black cat cross-
tice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, es their path before going into a casino in fear
trust in magic or chance, or a false conception this will bring them terrible bad luck? I think that
of causation”, and it goes further to assert that it would be a great way to convince someone
the term also refers to “an irrational abject atti- not to waste their money gambling there! Leav-
tude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or ing jokes aside, it is crazy to learn that the belief
God resulting from superstition”. Whichever of the in this superstition is so strong that black cats are
two definitions presented you like better, it is clear
that superstition refers mainly to a belief or a set of
beliefs that a person or a group of people have
which they cannot prove, test of trust. However,
we all know about superstitions in our immediate
surroundings, in our culture or in others. Hence,
superstitions exist all over the world. Now, the in-
teresting thing about superstition is that it may be
a window into the beliefs of a culture we want to
learn about and take part in. In our case as ILE
students and teachers, this would be the English-
speaking culture.
At this point, it is also important to define the
word belief. According to Cambridge Dictionary
online, a belief is “the feeling of being certain
that something exists or is true” (Belief). Hence, if
you have the belief that something is true, your
thoughts and actions will be in accordance with
7
THE ILE ETHOS
usually the last felines adopted in established shel- When asked about his intentions with his song,
ters across the United States (Black cats, 2018). As Stevie Wonder said
the owner of a beautiful 4-year-old black cat, I
cannot understand how this can happen. Max, “I think that the reason that I talked about
my kitty, is a bit grumpy and bites me from time being superstitious is because I really
to time, but I love him, and let me be sincere: a didn’t believe in it. I didn’t believe in the
witch like me would not be complete without a different things that people say about
small black critter like him! breaking glasses or the number 13 is bad
Talking about how and why these beliefs are held luck, and all those various things. And to
and permuted through time, well, it seems that those, I said, ‘When you believe in things
this kind of old-wives’ tales are passed from one you don’t understand, then you suffer.’”
generation to the next one, without giving a lot of (Superstition)
thought to why they exist, how irrational they may
be, and how they influence and affect our ideas Hence, believing in superstitions or events you
and actions. In the different occasions I have dis- cannot support or explain may not be a positive
cussed the topic with my ILE students, many of thing, since, in a way, they make us worry and
them have expressed the idea that beliefs like even suffer. Nevertheless, the richness of a culture
the ones mentioned above may have appeared and the world views of its people can be reflect-
when something similar to the basic elements in ed in the beliefs they hold, and this is the idea
a superstition happened to somebody in real life, that I think should be rescued in the case of su-
and then the tale spread and was adorned with perstitions, whether you believe in them or not.
new, magical or paranormal details. However, As a result, I would suggest that when you study a
this does not mean that because something bad language, English in our case, go ahead and find
(or good!) happened to someone in the past and out what kind of superstitions the native speakers
a number, a ladder or a black cat was involved of the language have, and discuss these beliefs
in the story, the same outcome will be true to an- with some of them. You may discover many in-
other person if he or she happens to experience teresting things, develop your vocabulary about
the same or similar events. Therefore, justifying some specific topics, create real life connections
our actions on unfounded beliefs coming from with those people, and have fun together.
old tales and past events may only create fear
and prevent us from enjoying our daily activities
as they are.
References
Cambridge Dictionary. Belief. Retrieved from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/engli sh/belief
D’Andrea, A. (2018). Black cats: the good, the bad, and the misunderstood. Retrieved from
https://animalfoundation.com/whats-going-on/blog/black-cats-good-bad-and-misunderstood
Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Superstition. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/ dictionary/superstition
Superstition. Retrieved from https://genius.com/Stevie-wonder-superstition-lyrics
8
THE ILE ETHOS
Technology Enhances Language Acquisition
Written by Eugenia González (ILE Professor)
Remembering an anecdote my cises online to practice grammar, reading com-
grandma used to tell me about prehension, listening and writing. These sources
her father’s death, I can’t avoid help learners and professors to access countless
being surprised by the way resources to improve the learning process. One
communication has changed example of this is the use of videos that give clear
our lifestyles in the last few years. explanations of different topics and let students
In 1935 my grandma lived in improve their communication skills.
San Ramón and her parents in Furthermore, technology and the Internet give
barrio San José, Alajuela. With foreign language students the chance to prac-
grief, she always remembered tice with native speakers. Many students have the
the way her father died, and possibility to communicate with others through
how she received a telegram with the bad news email or using Facebook, WhatsApp or any other
three days after his death. At that time, riders on application where they have the opportunity of
horseback were in charge of delivering the mail interacting in a written and oral way with foreign-
and giving important news to people. However, ers. This is essential since this allows the learners to
she never even knew her father had gotten sick. practice with native people in real everyday sit-
She always regretted not having the chance to uations. This interaction lets learners improve their
stay with him in the last moments of his life. This confidence in their performance since they know
event somehow illustrates how technology has a foreigner is able to understand them, and they
changed the world in the last few years. Com- can get the message the others want to transmit.
munication has made the world a smaller place As a consequence of interacting with foreigners
since everybody is constantly connected, and many people undoubtedly experience a cultur-
information flows easily. People can know what al interchange. Many cultural elements such as
is happening in any place worldwide just by click- ideas, concepts, and beliefs are learned when
ing a bottom or turning on a TV set, for example. being in contact with natives. Also, there is a pos-
Any event that occurs in any part of the world sibility of developing soft skills such as respect to-
can be heard about immediately through the wards others’ behaviors and lifestyles. In this way,
use of the Internet, cell phones, etc. This has defi- they can understand the way people from differ-
nitely affected the way we relate, see the world ent cultures behave and see the world. Empathy,
and learn. For instance, technology provides a values and respect are elements that help indi-
variety of useful tools for people who want to be viduals perceive the world when communicating
competent in a foreign language. Technological and interacting with foreigners.
tools are a key element to enhance the neces- Technology has changed our lifestyles a lot in
sary skills to communicate properly with others. the last few years. Communication is now much
Technology has changed especially the way more effective in terms of how we access infor-
people learn and study. Today, for instance, the mation today. It is relevant to identify the use of
use of cellphones makes it easier to learn a for- different tools to enrich the learning process of
eign language. Learning a language and using people who want to learn a new language. Hav-
an application on the phone has made it some- ing the possibility of practicing different topics on-
thing simpler since people can practice through line, using videos and exercises to acquire new
their cell phone any time, and decide how much communicative skills will definitely improve their
time they want to invest in this learning process. language performance. Besides that, having the
Besides that, people interested in learning any chance of relating in authentic contexts with na-
language have the possibility to study online the tive people allows the learners to enhance their
pronunciation of new words through the use of language competencies and also learn how to
dictionaries that provide not only the definition of respect other individuals’ values and beliefs.
words but also their pronunciation and phonetic
transcription. Moreover, there are too many exer-
9ACADEMICS AND MORE
Thought Experiment On Post-COVID Cam-
bridge Suggests That For Universities, Blend-
ing Is A New Beginning
A research project which asked University of Cambridge staff
and students to describe their biggest hopes – and darkest
fears – for post-pandemic higher education has found that
many would support a permanent, but partial, shift to online
learning.
able, and to strengthen their relationships within wider
society.
The study was carried out by Simone Eringfeld, a grad-
uate student at the Faculty of Education, University of
Cambridge. She said: “The project deliberately asked
people to speculate about what might happen to uni-
versity education, basing their answers on trends that
we are already seeing in the sector today. At a time
when universities are having to change very quickly,
an exercise like this can give us a clearer picture of the
kind of university we want to emerge from that trans-
formation, as well as what we don’t want.”
Eringfeld began the study when a planned research
project in refugee camps in Uganda was cancelled
due to COVID-related travel restrictions. Confined to
Cambridge, she decided to research the ‘post-coro-
The finding comes from a study which began when
nial’ future of universities instead. This emerging field
the UK first went into lockdown in March 2020, forcing
of academic enquiry is examining how the changes
universities to move some teaching online. Ten months
prompted by COVID-19 might offer an opportunity to
on, it suggests that academics and students would fa-
re-evaluate what universities are for, to whom they be-
vour more ‘blended’ learning – a balance between
long and how they can become more inclusive.
virtual and face-to-face education – even when the
She devised an action-research project built around
pandemic is over.
a podcast, Cambridge Quaranchats, in which she in-
Many are concerned, however, that some univer-
terviewed academics, students and other staff, about
sities will be tempted to take courses fully online – a
life and work in Cambridge during the pandemic. She
move they worry would kill off the traditional student
then carried out detailed, private interviews with an-
experience of living and learning away from home.
other 10 staff and students. These participants were
During the study, participants were asked to describe
asked to listen to clips from the podcast and to imag-
the most dystopian near-future for university teaching
ine how online teaching might transform post-coronial
that they could imagine. In terms that sometimes read
higher education – for better, or worse.
like a lost script from the science fiction series Black
Their biggest fear was that institutions might decide
Mirror, they responded with visions of students ‘attend-
to move all teaching online. Some envisaged that
ing’ Cambridge through VR headsets, while courses
universities might then seek to increase revenues by
are cut up and sold off in highly-marketable, bite-sized
breaking up these online courses and selling individu-
components.
al lectures or classes to mass audiences in ‘bite-sized’
Despite this, the research found that many staff and
form. At its most bleak, the research suggests, online
students regard the rapid adoption of new, online
learning threatens to turn universities into ‘placeless’
learning methods during the pandemic as an oppor-
institutions, where students no longer enjoy social ac-
tunity: to make universities more accessible, afford-
tivities, or encounter a healthy mix of people, cultures
10ACADEMICS AND MORE
and ideas. itations of physical campuses, such as departmental
Asked to describe his not-too-distant dystopian vision, divisions, participants also saw the potential to design
one student said: “Imagine virtual reality has gotten new interdisciplinary courses; or to blend academic
better and better. We can now host the entire experi- courses with vocational training by joining forces with
ence online, so you wake up in the morning, put your further education colleges and other training bodies.
headset on and go to lectures. You sort of simulate life. For some students, this represents an opportunity to
I think that’s the worst-case scenario… the University of ensure that higher education produces not just aca-
Cambridge would be like a network or file. It wouldn’t demically-accomplished graduates, but rounded citi-
even be a place anymore.” zens. “It’s not that I hope that we produce fewer Nobel
Perhaps surprisingly after months of remote learning, Prize-winners,” one undergraduate told Eringfeld, “but
however, all of the interviewees saw opportunities I would hope that we would be more concerned with
in moving at least some university education online. producing people… I would hope that the process of
Many felt this would give academics and students education makes people more human.”
greater flexibility in their working lives, reduce stress, Whether or not such ideas are realised, Eringfeld con-
and provide them with more time to explore other in- cludes that post-coronial universities will need to de-
terests. vise ways to combine virtual and face-to-face teach-
The study also suggests that this could conceivably ing safely and flexibly.
help to make university more affordable. Institutions “Neither a fully online university, nor a complete return
could, for instance, repackage courses so that stu- to face-to-face higher education, will be desirable in
dents are not necessarily obliged to live on campus the post-COVID era,” she said. “People genuinely fear
for as much of the year, thus reducing living costs. the possibility that we will lose the more embodied,
A number of staff and students also viewed the wid- communal aspects of being at university. At the same
er availability of online learning as an opportunity to time, they realise that online teaching makes it more
remodel university education in other, fundamen- accessible. The challenge for post-coronial universities
tal ways. Many, for example, favour making some will be to encourage new forms of ‘belonging’ so that
streamed lectures widely available for free. And be- even with more blended learning, higher education
cause online learning removes some infrastructural lim- remains a connected and meaningful experience.”
The research is published in Studies in Higher Education
11
Information taken from: https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/thought-experiment-on-post-covid-cambridge-suggests-that-for-universities-blending-is-a-new
Photo credit: https://pixabay.comVOX POPULI
The UTN community includes professors, administrative staff and students. Each
individual has something to say about everything. In this section, we give the
university community the opportunity to express what they feel about different
school, country and world issues that in one or another way affect or impact our
lives, feelings and opinions.
What are some thoughtless phrases politicians have said? (I)
Former President Laura Chinchil-
la Miranda after she signed the House Repre-
Former President José María (Pepe) Figueres Olsen Cyber-Crimes Law, known as the Former Pre-Candidate sentative Melvin
during a hearing before the House of Representatives global gag rule in 2013. This law for the Presidency Ro- Nuñez in his
about his implications in the Alcatel case in 2011. In condemns journalist who unduly dolfo Emilio Francisco defense of the
this case, several people were accused of an improper get political information which is Manuel de Jesús Piza de environmental
handling of money for the award of specific grants upon considered classified. Rocafort during a presi- impact from a
telecommunications equipment. “My government was never warned dential debate in 2018. tropical shrimp
“I do not recall it; I do not remember it.” about any problems of interpreta- “Here I brought you trawling project
tion emerging from the global gag (addressing his opponent in 2020.
rule.” Antonio Álvarez Desanti) “Maritime fauna
some mouthwash for caught during
you to rinse your mouth trawler fishery
before you talk about me can be used to
again.” produce cro-
quettes for cats.”
Former Pre-Candidate for the
Presidency Luis Fishman Zonz-
inski in 2010 used as the slogan Former President Abel Pacheco de la Espriella trying to avoid mak- Former Pre-Candidate for the
of his campaign the phrase: ing the decision whether to approve or not the free trade agreement Presidency Johnny Francisco Araya
“I ask for your vote today with the United States during his precedential term (2002-2006). Monge in 2014 after finding out
because the least worst is the “I am going to appoint a group of notables that last around four there was little chance of winning
best.” years to study if the free trade agreement with the United States is the second round of the presidential
something positive or negative for Costa Rica. In this way, I can election.
wash my hands of any responsibility with regards to this matter “Good sense suggests, now more
and use all my capability for some more important issues.” than ever, I need to make consider-
ations about this reality; therefore, I
will let you know that I am
concluding my running campaign
for the presidency.”
Former President Oscar Arias Sánchez during one of his speeches in the run up to
approve the free trade agreement with the United States in 2007.
“With the free trade agreement the ones that today ride a bike will soon ride a
motorcycle, the ones who ride a motorcycle today will drive a BMW car, and the
ones who drive a Hyundai will drive a Mercedes Benz.”
As we know, this never happened, and people still do not understand this com-
ment.
12THE STUDENTS’ VOICE
Fast Food Consumption
By Alejandra Villalobos (ILE Student)
The consumption of fast food has increased drastically in the last twenty years as well as the
increase of diseases as a result of this type of food. Although the negative effects of consuming
these foods are many and affect everyone, banning them completely would not be the best
solution.
On one hand, the junk food industry contributes significantly to the global economy and pro-
vides millions of jobs and different job opportunities around the world. Consequently, if this
sector is eliminated, it would cause a rise in world unemployment. Furthermore, due to these
times of globalization where people have less time, they decide to consume fast food be-
cause it is what is most convenient for them when it comes to time and money.
On the other hand, fast food has increased the development of diseases as it contains high
levels of sugar, salt, and saturated fat that alter health causing people to become overweight,
cholesterol problems, gastric and heart diseases, etc. Therefore, it is important to know the
health risks that these foods can cause in our health to make decisions, reduce consumption,
and eat more healthier options especially when this industry creates advertising aimed at the
younger generation.
To conclude, eliminating and banning fast food completely is not the most appropriate deci-
sion since it would affect many economic and social aspects. Nevertheless, part of the search
for a better solution is to obtain appropriate information on how to handle these foods by hav-
ing a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals and reducing the amount of junk food you
eat.
13THE STUDENTS’ VOICE
Technology Now And Then
By Christian Moya (ILE Student)
Technology affects most things people
do in life. There is no way to deny even
the tiniest existence of technology lives
among humankind. Its revolutionary
inventions have certainly shifted how
people perform their tasks throughout
the years.
The educational sector has greatly
benefited from the alliance of educa-
tion with technology all along with the
COVID-19 pandemic. To strengthen the
learning process, teaching methodolo-
gies have opted to adapt and lead its
strategies to what technological tools
offer to bring out the best of a class.
Virtuality during the sanitary crisis is the
clear proof education cannot stand by itself without technology by its side. Virtual companion
has given people the chance to access didactic material content and keep studying from the
comfort of their own home. Platforms such as WhatsApp, Zoom, Google Drive, among others
supported by real-time technology, allow learners to keep in touch with classmates to work as
a collective without the necessity of meeting in person. Technologies assuredly enhances the
educational productivity by offering virtual resources that are just one click away.
It is out of discussion technology has reshaped the average workplace environments. Mod-
ern technology programs facilitate the accuracy of developing duties. Due to the benefits
technology offers, people can feel motivated as they can optimize their daily tasks and keep
every single assignment on track. People can easily connect with their coworkers, leaders,
or any contact anytime making the collaboration and work efficiently. From another point
of view, thanks to technology, people can work from home creating their own effective and
comfortable workspace. There is no need to travel long distances spending valuable time
commuting to get to the office, school, or company. Technology has become so advanced
that nowadays work can be done within a blink of an eye.
Information is just one click away from reaching your knowledge. Technologies undoubtedly
serve as a complement that helps solving problems and making the pace of life easier to live
in. Technology is an essential tool humankind cannot simply avoid.
14POP WORLD
Is There Truth In The Psychology Of Color Or
Is It Simply Down to Personal Taste?
BY Sue Beckingham (October 20th, 2014 )
your first base colour and then a co- GREEN
lour harmony. The colour harmonies to Qualities: natural, organic, youth, nur-
select from are: turing, instructional, education, adven-
•Complementary turous, ecological, calming, nature
•Monchromatic Best for: medicine, science, govern-
•Analogous ment, recruitment, ecological-business,
•Split Complimentary tourism, human resources
•Triadic BLUE
•Tetradic Qualities: credibility, calming, clean, fo-
The colour calculator then displays the cused, medical, professional, judicial,
results! The site also provides a mini re- power, business like
port of the hex, RGB, and CMYK colour Best for: medical, scientific, utilities,
values. government, health care, high-tech,
Colour Psychology recruitment, tradesmen, legal, informa-
“The term colour psychology, often tion technology, dental, corporate
used interchangeably with ‘‘the psy- ORANGE
chological effects of color’’ as sug- Qualities: creative, dynamic, energetic,
gested by Van Wagner, tends to refer youthfulness, expressive, child-like, fruit-
to a range of affective, cognitive, and ful, innocence, enthusiasm
behavioral responses and associations Best for: recruitment, food and drink,
linked to specific colours.” entertainment, education, sports, hu-
O’Connor goes on in her paper to issue man resources, childcare
a ‘caveat emptor’ (Latin for buyer be- YELLOW
How we use any of these colours in our ware) with regard to this work. Howev- Qualities: energy, drive, dynamic, en-
lives can be very personal. From the er whilst the following list from the Logo couraging, design, ideas, youth, inven-
way we dress, decorate our homes or Company does not come with any di- tion, bright, positive
even prepare food; we each may have rect signposts to cite the theory behind Best for: childcare, food and drink, en-
different preferences to colour combi- their colour and emotion associations tertainment, new technology, automo-
nations. What pleases one person’s it would seem enough has been writ- tive, signs and banners, ecommerce
eyes can be a total turn off for another! ten about the topic to make it worth PURPLE
The Logo Company have put together considering how colours make you feel Qualities:spiritual, mysterious, magical,
an infographic on the emotions colours personally. Are there certain colour arcane, religiousness, evocative, sensu-
convey and aligned these with famous schemes that would detract you from al, well being, occult, loving
brands and the design of their logos. engaging with a website? See what Best for: body, mind and soul, astrology,
They say: you make of these: tarot, aromatherapy, massage, yoga,
•yellow = optimism BLACK arcane, healing, spiritual, occult
•orange = friendly Qualities: definite, credible, strength, BROWN
•red = excitement powerful, precise, professional, direct, Qualities: earthly, nurturing, historical,
•purple = creative accuracy safe, financial, tradition, conservative,
•blue = trust Best for: construction, corporate, oil, reliable, retrospect, steady
•green = peaceful financial, fashion, manufacturing, cos- Best for: construction, animals, mining,
Colour Calculator metics, mining, marketing, tradesmen veterinary, finance, real estate, ecology
How does this then translate into the de- RED WHITE
sign of blogs or the creation of visuals as Qualities: hungry, exciting, urgent, dan- Qualities: clinical, clean, medical, clear,
banners for social sites and profiles? Do gerous, sexy, evocative, romantic, de- purity, spacious, simple, easy, fresh
you consider the combinations of the sign, warm, fast Best for: medical, science, high-tech,
colours you use? Best for: food, clothing, fashion, apparel dental
Session College offer a free interactive cosmetics, sports, real estate, entertain-
Colour Calculator to help you select the ment, health care, caring, emergency
optimum colour combinations for any services, hospitality, marketing, public
design project. You begin by choosing relations, advertising
References
Logo Company, Logo Design Color, Business Types & Qualities – The Science Behind Colors
Session College Colour Calculator
Zena O’Connor, Z. (2009) Colour Psychology and Colour Therapy: Caveat Emptor
15 Information takenfion from: https://socialmediaforlearning.com/2014/10/20/is-there-truth-in-the-psychology-of-colour-or-is-it-simply-down-to-personal-taste/
Phot Credit: https://pixabay.comYou can also read
