Abstract

Abstract
In recent years, there has been a growing need for measuring and understand how to foster Trust in technology. This need for understanding the trust factor, which potential transformed (in a short time) the way we work, learn and teach. It allowed us to realize that a simple technological tool per si can be a means to facilitate a task or an objective but not necessarily is a solution to create sustainable interactions. This sustainability comes together with the insurance that irrespective of the ability to monitor or control, we are willing to be vulnerable to another party’s actions based on the expectation that the other will perform a particular action important to us. We define Trust, as an attitude, an intention or behaviour. We see Trust as an interpersonal phenomenon that promotes social activities such as collaboration, sharing, or social capital creation. But also as a factor that facilitates interaction and participation in remote and networked contexts. Trust is an instrument that supports and regulates technological mediation processes, encourages technology interactions and continuous adoption. In this study’s scope, we seek to illustrate the state of the art of the different methodologies of analysis, design and reliable assessment of interactive systems. We were briefly contextualizing the problem and defining Trust from a Human-Computer Interaction point of view. Conclude with a reflection on how and how these practices can be pressing to develop more sustainable online mediation tools, which also encourage the participation of the actors involved. © 2021, Associacao Iberica de Sistemas e Tecnologias de Informacao. All rights reserved.

Abstract
The development and implementation of a virtual environment that aims to support farmers in managing their land and crops in a more sustainable way is presented in this paper. It allows both textual and 3D visualization of crop-related biophysical parameters, such as height, volume and length. Moreover, the latter can be dynamically altered according to various criteria. A case study was conducted in a Portuguese vineyard. The application was developed using the Unity software, while a real agricultural data feed was provided by mySense interface. The virtual environment can be seen as a valuable decision support system to assist farmers.

Abstract
Learning software programming is challenging for software engineering students. In this paper, students' engagement in learning software engineering programming is considered under the SimProgramming approach using the OC2-RD2 narrative technique to create an immersive learning context. The objectives of this paper are twofold: presenting a narrative-driven immersive learning approach to introduce software engineering concepts and coding techniques to online undergraduate students; and analyzing the students' feedback on this approach. Thematic analysis of the metacognitive tasks was performed on the students' fortnightly reflections about their learning progress. Content analysis was based on interest categories, students' perceptions, metacognitive challenges, narratives, examples and aspects to be kept or to be improved. Data from the content analysis were organized into categories, subcategories, indicators, and recording units and their categorization was peer-reviewed. The narratives were considered by the students as interesting, appealing, akin to professional reality and promoting interaction. Most students thought the approach was helpful for learning software programming.

Abstract
The need of lockdown, due to COVID-19, led many manufacturing companies to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies. Manufacturing companies were strongly affected by workforce shortages associated with the spread of COVID-19 and the lockdown, as well by connectivity losses among business partners. Therefore, these companies are reviewing their strategies to increase productivity, mainly embracing digital manufacturing technologies. Here the adoption of digital technologies aims to improve efficiency and flexibility in their processes, also improving connectivity among business partners. This study investigates how collaborative academia-industry R&D cases accelerated the adoption of digital technologies by manufacturing companies, given the current COVID-19 pandemic situation. Based on multiple case studies, this article reports the challenges and the strategies of three ongoing collaborative industry-academia R&D projects developed during the COVID pandemic situation. The results are presented in four different perspectives derived from industry 4.0 readiness maturity models: interpersonal communication, personal competencies and skills, systems integration, and technological strategy. It highlights the importance of manufacturing companies to have a well-designed digitalization strategy, need of continuous training and development of their workforce, and the support of Research & Technology Organizations (RTO) to bring more maturity to the efforts required during a turbulent situation. The results of this paper can provide relevant decision support for manufacturing companies, and its stakeholders, in face of challenges of the actual pandemic and post-pandemic scenario.

Abstract
Training in VR can reduce risks and costs while allowing frequent and diversified experiential learning activities. We present a novel VR immersive authoring tool for experiential learning courses with industrial machinery. A trainer can create a course from scratch, defining all its components (structure, models, tools, and settings). The actions which trainees should perform can be specified by demonstration. After completing the course, trainees' actions will be matched against the trainer's.