Works presented

Summary
On December 8, 2023, the vessel CSAV Toconao lost 26.25 tons of pellets off the coast of Viana do Castelo (Portugal), many of which washed up on Galician beaches, triggering an ecological alert that sparked controversy regarding its magnitude and impact. Socioscientific issues provide an ideal opportunity for science learning through argumentation, placing them within the students' everyday context. Argumentation is a scientific and social practice that contributes to the systematization of thought and the development of communication skills. In this study, an educational intervention proposal based on real data has been designed, consisting of three activities: assessment of the environmental impact's scope, analysis of the discourses of various social actors involved, and the design of prevention strategies. It is expected that this will contribute to the development of students' critical thinking, enhance problem-solving skills, and promote attitudes favorable to environmental sustainability.

Direction
FERNANDEZ MONTEIRA, SABELA (Tutorships)

Court
ROMERO CASTRO, MARIA JOSE (Chairman)
VELOSO FREIRE, JAVIER (Secretary)
AZNAR CUADRADO, VIRGINIA (Member)

Summary
The use of active learning methodologies is essential when addressing the need to improve the teaching of the chemical bonding. These contents, essential for understanding chemical reactivity and the properties of materials, are usually explained with rote and theoretical methods. The didactic proposal includes an inquiry activity in the laboratory where students investigate the properties of different substances to identify the chemical bonds they present, and a didactic game in which they must relate chemical elements and explain the type of bond that unites them. These methodologies encourage active participation, critical thinking and collaborative work. The results obtained during its implementation show that students were able to relate theoretical concepts to the real phenomena, improving their understanding and motivation for chemistry. In short, the work highlights the importance of innovative methodologies to promote scientific competences and practical skills in compulsory secondary education.

Direction
ROMERO CASTRO, MARIA JOSE (Tutorships)

Court
AZNAR CUADRADO, VIRGINIA (Chairman)
ARTO BLANCO, MONICA (Secretary)
VELOSO FREIRE, JAVIER (Member)

Summary
Due to the rapid development of information and communication technologies in the educational field, teachers require training in digital competences that favor the teaching and learning process and, consequently, contribute to the improvement of the quality of the educational system. This Master's thesis is based on a documentary research focused on the digital competence of Spanish teachers in secondary education. A systematic review of articles published in the last five years in the Web of Science databases was chosen. Based on the inclusion criteria, a sample of 14 publications was formed and analyzed according to the main subject matter. The results obtained point to four predominant themes in recent research: level of competence, curricular framework, technological inclusion and recommendations. An average level of competence of teachers was established, with age and gender being conditioning factors. Likewise, continuous training, together with the establishment of regulated certifications, are priority recommendations in studies on teachers' digital competence.

Direction
ARTO BLANCO, MONICA (Tutorships)

Court
BARREIRA CERQUEIRAS, EVA MARIA (Chairman)
DIAZ BALADO, ALICIA (Secretary)
GOMEZ GOMEZ, MARIA CARMEN (Member)

Summary
This paper presents a bibliographic investigation into occupational risks and preventive measures to be implemented in the teaching sector. First, it examines the state, regional, and sector-specific regulations governing occupational risk prevention and defines a series of fundamental concepts. The study categorizes occupational risks in teaching into three main groups: psychosocial risks, ergonomic risks, and risks related to safety and health conditions. Finally, for each category, the main risks are identified, along with their risk factors, associated symptoms, and prevention strategies.

Direction
GOMEZ GOMEZ, MARIA CARMEN (Tutorships)

Court
BARREIRA CERQUEIRAS, EVA MARIA (Chairman)
ARTO BLANCO, MONICA (Secretary)
AZNAR CUADRADO, VIRGINIA (Member)

Summary
This master's thesis is dedicated to a review of the main documents on the issue of environmental education, such as articles by experts, writings resulting from climate summits and educational laws, to offer an orderly perspective on its birth, evolution and current situation in Spain. This documented analysis aims to illustrate how the subject is treated in the classrooms and reflect on the improvements that could be applied in its teaching from the point of view of a teacher in Secondary and High School Education.

Direction
GOMEZ GOMEZ, MARIA CARMEN (Tutorships)

Court
SOUTO GOMEZ, MONTSERRAT (Chairman)
ARTO BLANCO, MONICA (Secretary)
FERREIRO NUÑEZ, XESUS (Member)

Summary
This study presents a bibliographic review of gamification and Game-Based Learning (GBL) in education, with a particular focus on their application in English language teaching. It explores the learning theories underpinning these methodologies, their historical evolution, and current research trends. The study examines the benefits, challenges, and limitations of gamification and GBL in English classrooms, highlighting success stories in enhancing motivation, engagement, and meaningful learning. Finally, it addresses pedagogical implications for educators, emphasizing the need for continuous training to fully leverage these strategies. The study concludes that, despite challenges, they represent a powerful tool for transforming education and addressing classroom diversity.

Direction
GONZALEZ REY, MARIA ISABEL (Tutorships)

Court
VARELA ZAPATA, JESUS (Chairman)
ESTEVEZ RIONEGRO, NOELIA (Secretary)
FERNANDEZ MONTEIRA, SABELA (Member)

Summary
This work aims to revitalize the grammar and translation method, a traditional approach to language teaching, by integrating it as a complement to the communicative approach, widely adopted in the 21st century. The focus is on the learning of Spanish by German secondary school students through the design of a didactic unit that combines both methods. This unit seeks to demonstrate that the strategic use of grammar and translation, integrated into communicative activities, enhances the structural understanding of the language and improves accuracy in its use, without sacrificing the fluency and spontaneity characteristic of the communicative approach.

Direction
SOUTO GOMEZ, MONTSERRAT (Tutorships)

Court
VARELA ZAPATA, JESUS (Chairman)
ESTEVEZ RIONEGRO, NOELIA (Secretary)
FERNANDEZ MONTEIRA, SABELA (Member)