Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Esta tese analisa construções discursivas sobre o consumidor consciente, o qual visa se diferenciar de um suposto consumo regular e/ou consumista. Toma por base inicial as atribuições propostas em guias e manuais pró consumo consciente, em específico aqueles produzidos pela Akatu e pelo Idec, os quais buscam conceitualizar, debater e promover este tipo de consumidor. Compreende este grupo inicial enquanto uma dimensão prescritiva do discurso os quais elaboram indicações de ação e embasamentos do conceito. O desdobramento do trabalho realiza uma análise qualitativa do discurso dos indivíduos de camadas médias cariocas que se identificam enquanto este tipo de consumidor. Observa-se as semelhanças, diferenças e o desenrolar destes conceitos nas falas de indivíduos em relação àquelas prescritas nos manuais. Assim, pautado em entendimentos sobre consumo enquanto construtor simbólico, noções de projetos de vida e construção de si, produções de sentido e significado, relações de sociabilidade e novas modalidades de participação política, a tese se desenvolve nos seguintes aspectos: análise das bases de origem as quais formulam possibilidades de inserção na temática se ser e fundamentos possíveis; elementos constituintes fundamentais na formação do perfil dos entrevistados e seus conceitos de consciência, os aspectos emotivos sentimentais responsáveis pela valorização ou desvalorização da experiência, e expectativas e perspectivas a respeito dos relacionamentos com terceiros, abordando o tema principalmente através das categorias: chatos e radicais. Com isso, aprofundando-se nas bases definidoras dos sujeitos, suas concepções de consciência, seus medos, anseios, prazer e felicidades; procurando compreender como a subjetividade destes sujeitos está sendo produzida e como dialogam seus projetos com o espaço urbano de uma grande cidade. / This thesis examines discourses on the conscious consumer, who seeks to differentiate itself from a supposed consumerist or regular consumption. Takes as initial base assignments proposed in guides and manuals pro conscious consumption, specifically those produced by Akatu and Idec, which seek to conceptualize, discuss and promote this type of consumer. Understanding this initial group as a prescriptive dimension of discourse, which elaborated indications of action and emplacements of the concept. The unfolding of the work conducts a qualitative analysis of the speeches of individuals from middle class of Rio de Janeiro who identify themselves as this type of consumer. We observe the similarities, differences and developments of these concepts in the speech of individuals in relation to those prescribed in the manuals. So, based on understandings about consumption as a symbolic builder, notions of life projects and self-construction, productions of meaning and significance, personal relations and new forms of political participation, the thesis unfolds in the following aspects: analysis of the bases of origin which formulate possibilities for the insertion in the subject of to be and possible grounds, core constituent elements of in format on of the profile of interviewees and their concepts of consciousness, the emotional and sentimental aspects responsible for the appreciation or depreciation of experience, and expectations and perspectives on the relationships with others, approaching the issue mainly through boring and extreme categories. With this, deepening the bases defining the subjects, their conceptions of consciousness, their fears, anxieties, pleasure and happiness; seeking to understand how subjectivity of these subjects is being produced and how their projects dialogue with the urban space in a big city.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Esta tese analisa construções discursivas sobre o consumidor consciente, o qual visa se diferenciar de um suposto consumo regular e/ou consumista. Toma por base inicial as atribuições propostas em guias e manuais pró consumo consciente, em específico aqueles produzidos pela Akatu e pelo Idec, os quais buscam conceitualizar, debater e promover este tipo de consumidor. Compreende este grupo inicial enquanto uma dimensão prescritiva do discurso os quais elaboram indicações de ação e embasamentos do conceito. O desdobramento do trabalho realiza uma análise qualitativa do discurso dos indivíduos de camadas médias cariocas que se identificam enquanto este tipo de consumidor. Observa-se as semelhanças, diferenças e o desenrolar destes conceitos nas falas de indivíduos em relação àquelas prescritas nos manuais. Assim, pautado em entendimentos sobre consumo enquanto construtor simbólico, noções de projetos de vida e construção de si, produções de sentido e significado, relações de sociabilidade e novas modalidades de participação política, a tese se desenvolve nos seguintes aspectos: análise das bases de origem as quais formulam possibilidades de inserção na temática se ser e fundamentos possíveis; elementos constituintes fundamentais na formação do perfil dos entrevistados e seus conceitos de consciência, os aspectos emotivos sentimentais responsáveis pela valorização ou desvalorização da experiência, e expectativas e perspectivas a respeito dos relacionamentos com terceiros, abordando o tema principalmente através das categorias: chatos e radicais. Com isso, aprofundando-se nas bases definidoras dos sujeitos, suas concepções de consciência, seus medos, anseios, prazer e felicidades; procurando compreender como a subjetividade destes sujeitos está sendo produzida e como dialogam seus projetos com o espaço urbano de uma grande cidade. / This thesis examines discourses on the conscious consumer, who seeks to differentiate itself from a supposed consumerist or regular consumption. Takes as initial base assignments proposed in guides and manuals pro conscious consumption, specifically those produced by Akatu and Idec, which seek to conceptualize, discuss and promote this type of consumer. Understanding this initial group as a prescriptive dimension of discourse, which elaborated indications of action and emplacements of the concept. The unfolding of the work conducts a qualitative analysis of the speeches of individuals from middle class of Rio de Janeiro who identify themselves as this type of consumer. We observe the similarities, differences and developments of these concepts in the speech of individuals in relation to those prescribed in the manuals. So, based on understandings about consumption as a symbolic builder, notions of life projects and self-construction, productions of meaning and significance, personal relations and new forms of political participation, the thesis unfolds in the following aspects: analysis of the bases of origin which formulate possibilities for the insertion in the subject of to be and possible grounds, core constituent elements of in format on of the profile of interviewees and their concepts of consciousness, the emotional and sentimental aspects responsible for the appreciation or depreciation of experience, and expectations and perspectives on the relationships with others, approaching the issue mainly through boring and extreme categories. With this, deepening the bases defining the subjects, their conceptions of consciousness, their fears, anxieties, pleasure and happiness; seeking to understand how subjectivity of these subjects is being produced and how their projects dialogue with the urban space in a big city.

The main focus of this thesis is on the effectiveness of project-based learning (PBL) in engineering design. The literature review has shown that there is much confusion and ongoing arguments concerning the implementation of PBL in engineering design, and there lacks consensus on its effectiveness. Little research has been done on providing measurable metrics of PBL effectiveness, not to mention discovering the optimal PBL and its underlying mechanisms based on solid educational theories and rigorous research methodology. In this thesis, the measurement of the optimal PBL effectiveness (effect) is studied and a theoretical model of PBL is built in order to identify parameters (cause) controlling the effectiveness and to study the interplay between effectiveness and the parameters. The model is built through three main phases, with a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods. In phase one, the effectiveness of PBL is studied from the perspectives of the engineering design lecturers and engineering graduates by interviews, which is used to represent effect (Y axis) of the model. In phase two, on the basis of self-directed learning theory (SDL) and learner engagement theory,two key parameters of PBL, i.e. SDL and learner engagement, are identified and quantified respectively to represent cause (X axis) of the model. With the key parameters of PBL (X axis) and PBL effectiveness (Y axis) obtained, a theoretical model of PBL is proposed. The model is verified by means of experiments (student self-reported surveys). A specified Moving Average Method (MAM) is used for data analysis and findings demonstrate different trends of the relations between SDL and PBL effectiveness, and between learner engagement and PBL effectiveness. Consequently, a 3D model of PBL is built by combining the data in aforementioned 2D models,through which the optimal PBL effectiveness in 3D are identified and measured and the interplay between different parameters are found. In phase three, in order to find out more delicate features in PBL ignored by MAM, the dynamic interaction of individual differences in PBL teamwork is explored by the ethnological method (including participant observations and interviews), which is conducted as a supplement to the model of PBL. The theoretical model of PBL effectiveness proposed in this thesis is novel and groundbreaking. Firstly, a series of 2D and 3D models are presented and the relations between SDL, learner engagement and PBL effectiveness are revealed for the first time, which provides guidance for the optimal PBL measurement and implementation. Secondly, a qualitatively-quantitatively-combined strategy is used to discover the mechanisms controlling optimal PBL at different scales. Thirdly, the experiments verifying the model provide fresh quantitative insight into optimal PBL. In summary, the research in this thesis opens up a new research methodology for studying PBL effectiveness, which makes contribution to the educational field as well. Keywords: Project-based learning, Self-directed learning, Learner engagement, Optimal PBL effectiveness, 3D model, Individual differences, Engineering design, Pedagogy.