Space borne Synthetic Aperture Radar for Geoscientists – A pilot project
The project
The guiding principle of this project is to train the new generation of geoscientists to independently use and benefit from space-borne SAR data for their specific needs and applications. Following the success of other projects developed at D-ERDW, this pilot course has been structured with a blended learning approach. The activities of the course show how to properly select and obtain SAR datasets, process them according to the state-of-art algorithms, interpret the results, evaluate pros and cons on specific geological targets, and integrate the analysis of SAR data with other survey and monitoring approaches. Moreover, practical exercises and field excursions are designed to pursue the “Learning by doing” concept. This approach is aligned with the degree qualification goals and the learning environments of the MSc in Earth Sciences. With this new course, D-ERDW offers an additional option to gain practical skills and knowledge applicable to a broad range of real world case studies they may face in their future scientific and/or professional career.
Implementation into teaching practice
(1) Lectures, blocks of 2 hours to introduce a main topic. The lectures are designed to provide basic concepts. Frontal lecturing is alternated with active learning exercises to train problem solving skills and deep learning. Gamification is introduced to facilitate the memorization of SAR taxonomy.
(2) Workshops, blocks of 3 hours. In the first hour, a case study is presented to the students, and the full procedure from data selection, processing, and interpretation of the results will be demonstrated step-by step. In the following two hours, the students apply the same approach independently, with limited assistance .This part is preparatory for the self-development of the final project.
(3) Webinars. As the students are expected to have different backgrounds at the beginning of the course, a set of 5 webinars are prepared to cover more in detail specific topics presented during the lectures and applied in the workshops. This is part of the self-learning activities that the students carry out during the course.
(4) Field excursion. The field excursions is designed specifically to show to the students how to link the information available from satellite based analyses to the geological target under investigation. Handouts and other material are delivered in advance, to prepare the students for the field activities. Each group has specific tasks to perform, and will contribute to reach a common objective set for the all class.
Lessons learned and further impacts
Very good feedback from the students participating on the 3 years. Many of them used the methods learnt for their thesis work and even in their professional activity after degree. The course has been restructured as a block course of 1-week. This is a better format compared to the initial structure (half-semester) and will be kept for the future. The teaching material is yearly upgraded.