Browsing by resource type "conference proceedings"
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- Can the Digital Skills of Higher Education Students Improve as They Progress Through Their Studies?Publication . Patrício, Maria Raquel; Gonçalves, Bruno F.; Gonçalves, VítorIn recent years, there has been growing concern within the academic and scientific communities regarding the digital skills of teachers. However, it is our belief that the digital skills of students have been somewhat overlooked. We assert that it is not sufficient for teachers to possess digital skills in various areas; it is equally vital for students to develop and enhance their digital skills. This is essential for ensuring that the learning process is innovative, dynamic, and reflective of reality. Consequently, there has been a need to explore the digital skills of students in higher education. This article aims to present the findings of a questionnaire survey assessing the level of digital competence of students at the School of Education of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (Portugal). The questionnaire was adapted from the European Digital Competence Framework for Citizens (DigComp 2.2). The results were analyzed based on the students’ level of study (Higher Professional Technical Course, Bachelor’s Degree, and Master’s Degree) and their level of digital proficiency (basic, intermediate, advanced, and highly specialized) to identify differences and similarities among the students. The results indicate that students at all three academic levels generally perceive themselves to possess an intermediate level of digital proficiency. Therefore, it is essential that students improve their digital skills to reach the highest level of digital proficiency.
- Performance of ESA-CCI-SM Satellite product for estimating soil water deficit: a case study in NE PortugalPublication . Figueiredo, Tomás d'Aquino; Royer, Ana Caroline; Hernandez Hernandez, Zulimar; González PérezThe Mediterranean climate is characterised by hot and dry summers and water deficit in soils. Monitoring soil water deficit is of crucial importance in Mediterranean cropland, allowing a more cost-effective soil and water management. Satellite-borne data sources provide high temporal resolution information but usually lack the spatial resolution to adequately account for soil variability, namely on the physical-chemical properties that affect soil water storage capacity. As a case study located in Bragança, NE Portugal, the present work aimed at exploring the use of ESA-CCI-SM satellite product to estimate water deficit for a wide range of soil water storage capacities. A satellite-borne soil moisture data series (ESA-CCI-SM product) was clipped for Bragança area (25 x 25 km pixel). Temperature and precipitation (P) records of a weather station located in Bragança were used to compute monthly reference evapotranspiration (ET0, Thornthwaite) and the soil water balance (SWB, Thornthwaite-Mather) along the same period (2003-2016, 168 months). SWB were computed for soil water storages (Smax) representing the Smax range of regional soils (25, 50, 75, 100, 150 mm). Following earlier work by the authors, monthly soil water deficit series (SWD), obtained for the 5 Smax, were analysed and compared with the SM monthly averages series, using basic statistical methods. Average annual P and ET0 in the study period were 750 and 711 mm, respectively. In all years, SWD occurred from June to September, with peaks in July and August (ca. 110 mm each), but it was also recorded in February and in November (1 out of 14 years). Annual SWD decreased linearly with Smax increase (R²=0.994), from 400 mm (Smax 25 mm) to 290 mm (Smax 150 mm). The number of SWD months also decreased in the same range of Smax, from 77 to 74 out of 168. Linear regression models relating SWD to SM monthly data for each Smax were derived and applied to estimate SWD in dry months. Model performance declined with Smax increase, from Smax 25 mm (R2=0.928) to Smax 150 mm (R2=0.873), while SEE remained similar along the Smax range (23 mm). Model parameters are well correlated (R2>0.95) with Smax, allowing the integration in a single model the two variables (SM and Smax). Dry months (SWD>0) were discriminated from non-dry (SWD=0) by SM, respectively lower or higher than 0.21 m3 m-3, with 91% (Smax 25 mm) to 94% (Smax 150 mm) matching frequency. Median SM in the whole Smax range was 0.14 and 0.25 m3 m-3, for dry and non-dry months, respectively. Performance reached encourages the application of the regression models derived for estimating SWD from SM, still with a considerable uncertainty due to the high SEE obtained. As the range of Smax tested was quite large, the regression models can be applied to deliver remote-based estimates of SWD accounting for the variability of soil water storage capacities found in NE Portugal.
- Using Social Networks to Reach Young People and Promote Interest in Writing Scientific TextsPublication . Sousa, José Carlos; Gonçalves, Bruno F.; Gonçalves, VítorThe study explores the potential of social networks to bring young peo- ple closer to scientific initiation and the publication of scientific texts. The research highlights young people’s familiarity with the digital world and the relevance of digital inclusion in the teaching and learning process. A junior research journal is presented as a space conducive to the development of young researchers, providing familiarization with the process of submitting, reviewing, and publishing scientific articles. The prior training of young people through the junior journal is suggested to foster competence in academic writing. Based on research demonstrating the effectiveness of social networks in disseminating scientific production, the study suggests that these platforms can be effective tools for reaching young people, promoting engagement with science, and stimulating interest in scientific writing and academic subjects. The strategic use of social networks can act to combat disinformation. The results show that the use of social networks is a means of reaching younger audiences, which can also promote increased engagement and stimulate interest in scientific writing and academic subjects.