New Approaches for Teaching Irrigation Scheduling. Improving Understanding through Modeling Applications

Abstract

[EN] This paper presents a teaching methodology for introducing specific modeling tools and their methods in the contents of the subject Irrigation Engineering, corresponding to the degree of Agricultural Engineering in Spanish universities. Modeling tools can be powerful educational resources allowing for a better understanding of the physical problems addressed in different subjects of scientific-technological careers. In particular, a Gene Expression Programming based approach is applied for estimating stem water potential, a key variable in irrigation scheduling, and, consequently, a crucial issue for Agricultural Engineers. This activity is scheduled in three practical sessions for the mentioned subject. Students learn a crucial topic in irrigation engineering and the fundamentals of a very robust modeling tool. The application of this methodology for solving a specific problem contributes to improving the understanding of the theoretical topic scheduled in the subject program. At the same time, students learn a new way of facing specific problems that might be encountered in their professional practice.