Blog. GA6-240202501-AA1-EV03
Welcome to Bitácora Electrónica.
This blog has been created as part of my learning process in the program Technology in Electronic Product Development – Group 2879899.
Here, I will share my progress in the English course GA6-240202501-AA1-EV03, as well as reflections, projects, and activities that represent my academic and personal growth.
On this blog, you will find:
A description of the city of Cartagena
A mind map about my English learning process
An essay
Forum reflections
A chronicle
The goal of Bitácora Electrónica is to document and show my progress, connecting the English language with the world of technology and electronics.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
My Learning Journey: Sharing Life and English -
Conflicts of Interest in Academic and Workplace Settings: Ethical Challenges and Professional Consequences
Keywords:
Conflict of interest, professional ethics, objective decisions, impartiality, academic integrity, workplace relationships, favoritism, transparency.
Thesis:
In both academic and workplace environments, conflicts of interest are frequent situations that compromise objective decision-making and negatively impact institutional environments. These conflicts, often overlooked, undermine trust among colleagues, decrease productivity, and jeopardize fairness in academic processes. Ethical and transparent conflict management is essential to ensure integrity in decision-making and avoid harmful consequences for both individuals and organizations.
Development:
Conflicts of interest arise when a person has personal interests that may influence their professional or academic decisions. This includes family relationships, financial gain, or even personal preferences. In a workplace context, for instance, if a supervisor recommends a relative for a promotion without following a transparent process, it creates distrust among coworkers. Managers were told to "evaluate every candidate objectively before making a decision," yet if they ignored that instruction, the conflict would grow more severe.
In academic settings, similar situations occur when a professor grants privileges to certain students due to external relationships. During my academic journey, I witnessed a clear case of conflict of interest: a student who worked as the professor's assistant received a high grade despite not submitting all assignments. Feeling frustrated and disappointed, many classmates voiced their concerns. If the professor had followed objective evaluation criteria, that situation could have been avoided.
If the academic institution had implemented a transparent policy for evaluating assistants, such conflicts could have been effectively managed. The consequences were evident: student demotivation, loss of trust in the teacher, and a tense atmosphere for the remainder of the course.
These types of events show how conflicts of interest impact not only those directly involved but also the general environment. Moreover, such situations become more frequent as organizations grow and individual interests become more diverse. When conflicts are not properly managed, they can escalate and cause long-term damage.
In such cases, it is essential to apply clear policies, promote open communication, and educate professionals and students about ethics. Conditional clauses help establish preventive scenarios: If everyone involved acts with integrity, conflicts of interest can be minimized. Additionally, adverbial clauses such as “Although it seemed like a minor issue at the beginning,” highlight how small problems can escalate and lead to larger consequences.
Conclusions:
- Transparency in academic and professional processes is essential to prevent conflicts of interest that may compromise institutional credibility and fairness in decision-making.
- Conflicts of interest that are not properly managed generate negative consequences, such as loss of trust, demotivation, and reduced performance in both academic and professional settings.
- Ethical training and the implementation of clear policies are key to strengthening the integrity of educational and work environments, promoting relationships based on fairness and mutual respect.
References:
Ainslie, G. (1986). Microeconomics: Conflict among interests in a multiple self as a determinant of value. The multiple self, 133–175. Retrieved from: https://www.suz.uzh.ch/dam/jcr:ffffffff-f952-f950-ffff-ffff869f7f5a/05.13_ainslie_86.pdf
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).
Forum - GA4-240202501-AA1-EV03
1.How can you be environmentally friendly at work?
In my experience, being environmentally friendly at work starts with small but consistent actions. For example, in my previous job in an administrative office, I encouraged digital documentation to reduce the use of paper. We also encouraged turning off electronic equipment during lunch breaks and at the end of the workday. Another habit I practiced was to carry a reusable water bottle and coffee cup instead of disposable cups. These small changes, when adopted by an entire team, significantly reduce environmental impact.
2. What kind of incentives could a green company offer its employees?
A green company can motivate its employees through creative and meaningful incentives. For example, by offering extra vacation days or bonuses to those who bike to work or carpool with electrics. Companies can also offer free green products (such as reusable containers or water bottles) or even discounts on sustainable brands.
3.In what other ways could companies involve their employees in environmental issues?
Companies can directly involve their employees in environmental initiatives. For example, creating “Green Committees” where employees suggest and implement environmentally friendly practices is very effective. Organizing workshops or inviting experts to give talks on sustainability raises awareness and fosters a culture of responsibility towards the environment.
Forum - GA4-240202501-AA2-EV03
Sharing life experiences
In my current position as a technical support specialist in a technology company, I am constantly facing new challenges that require flexibility and adaptability. One of the most outstanding experiences was when I was assigned to upgrade all the company's computers to Windows 11. This change, although necessary for security and performance reasons, most of them felt more comfortable with the old systems and believed that the old computers worked better. They were resistant to the change and often expressed their dissatisfaction.
Due to management policies, the upgrades had to be done on Saturdays, so that by Monday, the updated equipment would be ready for use. However, this often left employees feeling lost and confused at the start of the workweek. They struggled to adjust to the new operating system and sometimes had difficulties locating their usual files or applications.
What was the result of the experience?
Despite initial resistance, over time users began to recognize the advantages of the new system. Equipment ran faster, security improved dramatically, and productivity increased as users adapted. However, the transition period was difficult and required a lot of patience and support.
How did your flexibility and adaptability help you cope with the situation?
My adaptability was key. I anticipated users' concerns and prepared user guides and quick reference sheets to ease their transition. I also made myself available to them on Monday mornings to offer immediate support and answer their questions.
Would you change anything to deal with it better?
If I could do it all over again, I would propose a short training session or a demo day before the upgrade, where users could try out the new system and familiarize themselves with it. In this way, they would feel more prepared and less anxious about the change. I also believe that involving users in the process by explaining the benefits in a more engaging way would reduce resistance and increase collaboration.
In conclusion, this experience showed me the importance of being adaptable and proactive in the face of change. It also taught me that good communication and empathy are as important as technical skills when managing transitions in a workplace.
Chronicle.
GA3-240202501-AA1-EV03
Pulse Generation LM555
The
LM555 is one of the most widely used integrated circuits for
generating precise
timing pulses, oscillations, and controlling timing functions in electronic circuits. It
can be configured in
two main modes
for pulse generation: astable mode and
monostable mode. These modes are essential for applications such
as clock generation, pulse-width modulation (PWM), tone generation,
and more.
Here’s how the LM555 works in each of these modes: Astable Mode (Free-Running Oscillator)
In astable mode, the LM555 operates as an oscillator, continuously generating a square wave signal with a fixed frequency. It does not require an external trigger to operate, making it ideal for applications like clock generation, tone generators, and pulse-width modulation (PWM).
- The LM555 is configured with two resistors (R1 and R2) and one capacitor (C1).
- The frequency and duty cycle of the output waveform depend on the values of the resistors and capacitor.
- Key pins used in astable mode:
- Pin 2 (Trigger): This pin is used to detect when the capacitor's voltage falls below 1/3 of the supply voltage, triggering the timing cycle.
- Pin 6 (Threshold): This pin detects when the capacitor voltage rises above 2/3 of the supply voltage, and this causes the output to go low.
That’s all for today from my ideas lab
I look forward to your feedback to keep improving.
With positive energy,
Diego Mina