Questões de Concursos Professor de Língua Inglesa

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The research paper published in ‘Humanities & Social Sciences Communications’ — an open-access journal, distributed by Springer Nature — examines the impact of AI on “loss in decisionmaking and privacy concerns among university students in Pakistan and China”.

The rise of AI has also exposed students and teachers to a number of challenges, particularly data hacking and systemic and racial biases. “Many people are now concerned with the ethical attributes of AI systems and believe that the security issue must be considered in AI system development,” the researchers claimed. In order to mitigate safety concerns, the paper said there was a need to “continuously re-evaluate and re-design” security practices. However, academia is poorly equipped to deal this issue due to a shortage of funding and technical staff. “No one can run from the threat of AI concerning cybersecurity, it behaves like a double-edged sword.”

As per the research, AI has the potential to revolutionise the education sector but with certain drawbacks. In order to effectively harness this technology, the paper called for steps to ensure AI does not cause at least “severe ethical concerns”, and technology backed by secure algorithms to ensure data security and minimisation of AI’s bias. It also recommended measures to curtail overreliance on AI to address “laziness” and cognitive deficiency.

ABBAS, Zaki. AI making students lazy, impairing cognition: study. Disponível em: https://www.dawn.com/news/1759121/ai-making-students-lazy-impairingcognition-study. Acesso em: 12 jul. 2024. Adaptado.

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Plastic Dreams

by Sarah Thompson

Plastic dreams, oh plastic dreams, a vision turned nightmare,

Once a symbol of progress, now a burden we must bear.

Our landfills overflow with your synthetic remains,

A haunting testament to our unsustainable chains.

Plastic dreams, oh plastic dreams, a promise unfulfilled,

Your convenience a facade, your consequences concealed.

Let us wake from this slumber, this toxic desire,

To create a world where nature's essence can inspire.

In our hands lies the power, to choose a different fate,

To abandon plastic dreams and embrace a sustainable state.

For only through conscious choices, can we break this vicious spell,

And ensure a future where our planet and poetry can dwell.

From: https://poemverse.org/poems-about-plasticwaste/#2_the_sea_s_lament_by_michael_anderson

Reading skill will help you to improve your understanding of the language and build your vocabulary.

Social Media Across Generations

Today’s grandparents are joining their grandchildren on social media, but the different generations’ online habits couldn’t be more different. In the UK the over-55s are joining Facebook in increasing numbers, meaning that they will soon be the site’s second biggest user group, with 3.5 million users aged 55-64and 2.9 million over-65s.

Sheila, aged 59, says, I joined to see what my grandchildren are doing, as my daughter posts videos and photos of them. It’s a much better way to see what they’re doing than waiting for letters and photos in the post. That’s how we did it when I was a child, but I think I’m lucky I get to see so much more of their lives than my grandparents did.

Ironically, Sheila’s grandchildren are less likely to use Facebook themselves. Children under 17 in the UK are leaving the site – only 2.2 million users are under 17 – but they’re not going far from their smartphones. Chloe, aged 15, even sleeps with her phone. It’s my alarm clock so I have to she says. I look at it before I go to sleep and as soon as I wake up.

Unlike her grandmother’s generation, Chloe’s age group is spending so much time.......... their phones.......... home that they are missing out on spending time with their friends in real life. Sheila, on the other hand, has made contact with old friends from school she hasn’t heard...................40years. We use Facebook to arrange to meet all over the country, she says. It’s changed my social lifecompletely.

Teenagers might have their parents to thank for their smartphone and social media addiction as their parents were the early adopters of the smartphone.Peter, 38 and father of two teenagers, reports that he used to be on his phone or laptop constantly. I was always connected and I felt like I was always working, he says. How could I tell my kids to get off their phones if I was always in front of a screen myself? So, in the evenings and at weekends, he takes his SIM card out of his smartphone and puts it into an old-style mobile phone that can only make calls and send text messages. I’m not completely cut off from the world in case of emergencies, but the important thing is I’m setting a better example to my kids and spending more quality time with them.

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Text I

How to have a healthier relationship with your phone

A few years ago, a Google employee sent an email to thousands of her co-workers: What if for six weeks straight, you spent one night per week without technology? The email was from Laura Mae Martin, Google’s executive productivity adviser, a role that, among other things, was created to help staff members foster healthier relationships with their gadgets and apps. After she sent the note, Ms. Martin was flooded with responses from coworkers eager for a respite from some of the very products they helped build. Thousands of employees have since participated in the annual “No-Tech Tuesday Night Challenge,” said Ms. Martin.

The problem she was trying to solve isn’t unique to Google workers. One survey found that Americans say they spend too much time on their phones. But dramatic solutions – a digital detox, a phone downgrade or a complete exit from social media – may feel impractical.

Is it possible to have a healthy relationship with technology while still using it daily? Fortunately, according to experts, the answer is a resounding ‘yes’ and here are a few things you can try:

First, start with one simple question.

You know that urge you get to reach for your phone without realizing it? And then, before you know it, you’re an hour into a social media binge? If you want to peacefully coexist with technology, you need to get a handle on those impulses, said Richard J. Davidson, the founder and director of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. According to him, people should start by noticing when they have an urge to lift their phone or open social media on their browser window. By becoming conscious of what you’re about to do, you’re interrupting an automatic behavior and awakening the part of your brain that governs self-control, he added. As one research article suggests, awareness of your actions can help you rein in bad habits.

Secondly, take the “mobile” out of your mobile devices.

Dr. Anna Lembke, a professor of psychiatry and addiction medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, said one of the biggest problems withsmartphones is what she calls “texting while running to catch a bus.” Using our devices while we’re on the move – walking from meeting to meeting, taking a child to school or catching a bus – prevents us from being more engaged in our lives, Dr. Lembke said.

One way to create harmony with technology is to limit your phone use when you’re on the move. Headed out for a walk? Turn off your notifications. Going to grab a coffee? Leave your phone on your desk. If you’re feeling brave, try powering down your phone while in transit. It won’t buzz with notifications, text messages or phone calls, which Dr. Lembke said could help you focus on the world around you.

Last of all, make technology work for you.

One thing experts agree on: To forge a healthy relationship with technology, you need to be in control of it and not the other way around. Think about your gadgets as tools that you decide how to use.

“Make it work for you, not against you; whether it’s an email program or your dishwasher, it’s the intention behind how you’re using it that really makes the big difference”, said Ms. Martin, the productivity expert at Google.

(Adapted from: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/21/well/social-media-phone-addiction.html)

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TEXT I

Teachers in the Movement: Pedagogy, Activism, and Freedom

In this year's Presidential Address, historian Derrick P. Alridge __________ his current research project, Teachers in the Movement: Pedagogy, Activism, and Freedom. The project builds on recent literature about teachers as activists be tween 1950 and 1980 and explores how and what secondary and postsecondary teachers taught. Focusing on teachers in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, the project investigates teachers' roles as agents of social change through teaching the ideals of freedom during the most significant social movement in the United States in the twentieth century. Drawing on oral history and archival research, the project plans to produce five hundred videotaped interviews that will generate extensive firsthand knowledge and fresh perspectives about teachers in the civil rights move ment. By examining teachers' pedagogical activism during this period of rapid social change, Alridge hopes to inspire and inform educators teaching in the midst of today's freedom and social justice movements.

(Disponível em: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1255911)

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Netflix is trying to prove to the world that it's all grown up

Netflix is trying to persuade Wall Street that it is now all grown up. After squeezing out millions of additional subscribers via its password sharing crackdown and through the introduction of cheaper advertiser-supported plans, the streamer knows that its growth spurts are coming to an end — and now it wants investors to stop obsessing over those pesky membership numbers and instead focus on other metrics.

"In our early days, when we had little revenue or profit, membership growth was a strong indicator of our future potential. But now we're generating very substantial profit and free cash flow. We are also developing new revenue streams like advertising and our extra member feature, so memberships are just one component of our growth", Netflix told shareholders as it reported quarterly earnings.

To that end, Netflix said that it will no longer report quarterly subscriber numbers, starting in 2025. Alas, the metric that Wall Street has forever judged Netflix on — the metric that prompted legacy media companies to burn endless piles of cash in their bids to compete with the streamer — will be retired. The decision to shut off transparency on the metric represents a significant turning point in the streaming revolution. For years, Netflix has prided itself on being extraordinarily transparent. Now it is aiming to hold its cards closer to its chest. And given that streaming giant is the trendsetter in the space, one could expect that other media companies will be inspired by the company's move and also opt to cease reporting such data.

To be fair, what Netflix is saying isn't necessarily off base either. As the company shifts its business model away from subscriptions and toward advertising and other revenue streams, it makes sense to consider how much time users are spending on the service. The more content a user consumes on Netflix, the more likely they are to continue paying for the service, and the more money Netflix then makes from that single subscriber. "We're focused on revenue and operating margin as our primary financial metrics — and engagement (i.e. time spent) as our best proxy for customer satisfaction,” Netflix underscored in its letter to shareholders.

Regardless, less transparency in an already opaque industry is not ideal. The walled garden of streaming already lacks the same detailed viewership data that Nielsen collects on linear television broadcasters. Now, visibility into the streaming world will get even dimmer.

The announcement from Netflix managed to overshadow its otherwise stellar quarter. The company handily beat expectations and added a staggering 9.3 million subscribers, meaning it now boasts nearly 270 million in total. Netflix also beat analyst expectations on both earnings and revenue. However, it wasn't all good news. Netflix forecasted its subscriber growth to be lower in quarter two, chalking it up to “typical seasonality.” That led the stock to slide nearly 5% in after-hours trading.

Whether "typical seasonality” is solely to blame, or whether the streamer is simply starting to hit a ceiling, is hard to tell. Perhaps it is a mix of both. Whatever the cause, the stock sliding on the less-than-ideal outlook is a prime example of why Netflix wants Wall Street to stop focusing on its subscriber numbers. And, in one year's time, investors won't have a choice.

Adapted from: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/19/media/netflix-subscription-numbers/index.html

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TEXT II

"Schön’s work has restructured how professionals conceive their practice and how they go about learning from ex perience. At the very heart of Schön’s theory lies reflection in action; that is, professionals are supposed to learn, not just to reflect after the fact but amidst action. Indeed, this approach to learning and professional development has been a central cornerstone of the training and education of practitioners across many fields. Schön defines reflection as the ability of pro fessionals to examine their actions and decisions to understand and practice with effectiveness better. The theorist is based on two major types of reflection: reflection in action and reflection on action”.

(Adapted from : https://acadfundu.com/what-is-donald-schons-theory-of-reflective-practice/)

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Why is it called the Avenue of Volcanoes?

The "Avenue of Volcanoes" is a term used to describe a geographical feature in South America, specifically in Ecuador. This name is due to a long stretch of the Andes Mountain range in Ecuador, where several volcanoes are located near each other, creating a breathtaking natural spectacle you should visit. The Avenue of the Volcanoes is a geological wonder and significant. It is part of Ecuador's natural beauty and biodiversity. It attracts tourists and mountaineers from all over the world who come to explore the volcanoes, their surrounding landscapes, and the rich ecosystems that thrive in this region.

Predominant Volcanoes

The "Avenue of the Volcanoes" in Ecuador is characterized by numerous volcanoes, some very prominent and easily visible from the road. Discover some of the predominant volcanoes that Ecuador has for you.

Cayambe

Volcan Cayambe is a stratovolcano that is part of the Andes Mountain range. It is situated in the province of Pichincha, in the north-central region of Ecuador. The volcano is famous for its unique double summit, with the main panel located at 5,790 meters above sea level and the secondary summit just slightly lower. The volcanic cone of Cayambe is composed of alternating layers of lava, ash, and volcanic materials. Its last eruption resulted in a lava flow and ash that covered the surrounding area.

Antisana

Volcan Antisana sits at an impressive 18,891 feet above sea level. Located in the Andes mountains, it is surrounded by stunning wilderness and unique ecosystems for a breathtaking view. From the highest points, it is possible to catch glimpses of the surrounding glaciers, lava landscapes, and stunning birds and animals that call this area their home.

Los Illinizas

Los Ilinizas is a composite volcano comprised of layers of lava, ash, and debris built up over time. The mountain is part of the Andes Mountain range and is located between the provinces of Cotopaxi and Pichincha. The volcano's height is roughly 17,267 ft (5,260 m). The Illinizas are two volcanoes located in the Andes region of Ecuador; the two central volcanoes in this area are Illiniza Norte (also known as Illiniza Falsa) and Illiniza Sur (Illiniza Verdadero).

Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi is one of Ecuador's best-known and most prominent volcanoes and is part of the "Avenue of theVolcanoes," a chain of volcanoes in the Andean region of the country. It has an altitude of approximately 5,897 meters above sea level. Its summit is covered with snow and ice for much of the year. Cotopaxi has significant cultural and mythological importance for the indigenous peoples of the Andean region of Ecuador. In Andean cosmology, the Cotopaxi volcano is associated with divinities and legends.

Quilotoa

The Volcan Quilotoa is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular destinations for tourists from all around the world. Quilotoa is a caldera that sits at an altitude of 3,914 meters above sea level, and visitors can find a small, emerald-green lake inside the crater, surrounded by the most stunning scenery you can imagine. However, its caldera and the lagoon are evidence of its volcanic past and past activities.

Tungurahua

The Tungurahua volcano in the Cordillera Central of the Ecuadorian Andes is notable for its imposing altitude of approximately 5,023 meters above sea level. The Tungurahua volcano has been significant in local mythology and culture. Its name translates as "Throat of Fire" in the Quechua language, and nearby communities have developed a cultural and spiritual connection with the volcano over the years.

Chimborazo

Chimborazo is the highest mountain in Ecuador and one of the highest volcanoes in the world, with an altitude of approximately 6,310 meters above sea level. Its summit is covered with snow and ice all year round, making it a popular destination for mountaineers and climbers.

Altar

El Altar is a volcanic complex composed of several peaks and craters, which gives it an impressive and unique appearance. Some of the most prominent peaks include El Obispo, El Fraile, El Monja, La Virgen, and others. The volcanic complex resembles a considerable fortress or altar, hence its name.

Sangay

It is in the Andes region, specifically in the province of Morona Santiago, in the south-central part of the country. Sangay is approximately 5,230 meters above sea level and is one of the most active volcanoes in Ecuador and the world. It has had frequent eruptions throughout history, with almost constant eruptive activity during the 20th and early 21st century.

https://www.casagangotena.com/blog/activities/avenue-of-the-volcanoe s-in-Ecuador/