This thesis focuses on the ways in which theoretical models based in rhetorical studies can be used to enhance both the understanding and the practice of communication. In particular, my project shows that rhetoric and communication theory can provide a foundation for improving communication practice. <p>Every communicative act takes place within a context, as Lloyd F. Bitzer established. This same understanding of the centrality of situation to communicative effectiveness permeates the work of several other theorists whose work is discussed in this thesis, among them Wayne C. Booth, Kenneth Burke, George L. Dillon, Barnett Baskerville, and Donald Schon. <p>Using Bitzers conception of the rhetorical situation as the theoretical focus, two main concerns are addressed in the thesis: the relationship between rhetoric and the practice of technical communication, and the integration of theory and practice as the foundation of rhetorical understanding. The first three chapters present a series of theoretical models, and the practical use of this theory is tested by an exercise in writing a public speaking handbook for engineering undergraduates (presented as Chapter Four of the thesis). The audience for this handbook is specific and the purpose is narrow to give advice on preparing, practising, and presenting design presentations to professors and clients. This experiment is then followed by a reflection on the writing process and some conclusions about the relationship between rhetorical theory and communicative practice.<p> The key result of this research and case study is a deepened understanding of how rhetoric operates or how it should be studied. As a rhetorician, I found it discouraging even at times humiliating to discover how much difficulty I had in adapting my discourse to a specific audience. This research makes clear that an understanding of theory without a solid grounding in practice is insufficient for rhetorical mastery. While my original goal was to demonstrate the usefulness of theory to improving practice, this thesis shows as well the extent to which rhetorical theory also depends on an understanding of the demands and constraints of actual practice.

This thesis focuses on the ways in which theoretical models based in rhetorical studies can be used to enhance both the understanding and the practice of communication. In particular, my project shows that rhetoric and communication theory can provide a foundation for improving communication practice. <p>Every communicative act takes place within a context, as Lloyd F. Bitzer established. This same understanding of the centrality of situation to communicative effectiveness permeates the work of several other theorists whose work is discussed in this thesis, among them Wayne C. Booth, Kenneth Burke, George L. Dillon, Barnett Baskerville, and Donald Schon. <p>Using Bitzers conception of the rhetorical situation as the theoretical focus, two main concerns are addressed in the thesis: the relationship between rhetoric and the practice of technical communication, and the integration of theory and practice as the foundation of rhetorical understanding. The first three chapters present a series of theoretical models, and the practical use of this theory is tested by an exercise in writing a public speaking handbook for engineering undergraduates (presented as Chapter Four of the thesis). The audience for this handbook is specific and the purpose is narrow to give advice on preparing, practising, and presenting design presentations to professors and clients. This experiment is then followed by a reflection on the writing process and some conclusions about the relationship between rhetorical theory and communicative practice.<p> The key result of this research and case study is a deepened understanding of how rhetoric operates or how it should be studied. As a rhetorician, I found it discouraging even at times humiliating to discover how much difficulty I had in adapting my discourse to a specific audience. This research makes clear that an understanding of theory without a solid grounding in practice is insufficient for rhetorical mastery. While my original goal was to demonstrate the usefulness of theory to improving practice, this thesis shows as well the extent to which rhetorical theory also depends on an understanding of the demands and constraints of actual practice.

En partant de quelques difficultés observées autour des aspects de la conceptualisation technoscientifique et de l’intégration de la de la théorie et la pratique dans l’apprentissage de la physiologie animale chez les étudiants du programme de Zootechnie de l’Université Nationale de Colombie, siège Medellín, cette recherche propose une stratégie didactique s’appuyant sur la méthode de l’Apprentissage Basé sur les Problèmes (ABP), appliquée spécifiquement aux sujets de thermorégulation et stress physiologique des animaux domestiques. Dans cette étude de cas on a travaillé avec un échantillon de huit étudiants à qui on a présenté dès la première session un problème didactique pour être résolu à travers le cours. Afin d’évaluer le processus on a réalisé trois enquêtes nommées Épreuves de Niveau de Formulation (NF) réalisées à différents moments de l’essai : l’une avant de commencer avec le sujet (NF 1), l’autre après la troisième classe théorique donnée et avant de faire la pratique sur le terrain (NF 2), et l’autre à la fin du processus (NF 3). Finalement on a réalisé des entretiens individuels avec chaque étudiant afin de connaître sa perception concernant la méthode. L’information obtenue a été soumise à une analyse qualitative et par des correspondances, par le biais du programme QDA Miner à travers de la révision et codification des textes provenants des enquêtes et de l’entretien individuel, complétés à leur tour par des observations sur le terrain, en analysant le changement conceptuel, la relation théorie-pratique et les correspondances entre les variables et les catégories établies. Parmi les principaux résultats obtenus on souligne le fait qu’après avoir appliqué l’ABP dans ce cours de Physiologie Animale le changement conceptuel a été favorisé et le problème formulé a servi comme connecteur entre la théorie et la pratique. En outre, on a observé la fusion des connaissances préalables avec les nouveaux acquis, l’apprentissage significatif, l’amélioration du niveau de formulation et l’augmentation de la scientificité des définitions; également il a mené à la solution viii de problèmes et à surmonter les obstacles épistémologiques comme la pluridisciplinarité et la non-linéarité. Il reste comme recommandation celle d’évaluer cette méthode dans d’autres sujets de la Physiologie Animale, dans d’autres sciences, dans des échantillons d’une taille majeure, ainsi comme approcher le sujet de l’évaluation appliquée directement à cette méthode. / Based on difficulties observed on the subject of technical-scientific conceptualization and the integration of theory and practice in learning animal physiology for students in the Animal Science program at the National University of Colombia in Medellin, this research paper proposes a problem-based learning strategy founded on the method of Problem Based Learning (PBL), applied specifically to the issues of thermoregulation and physiological stress in domestic animals. In this case study, a sample size of eight students was presented with a pedagogical problem during the first session that would then be solved during the course. In order to evaluate the process, three surveys were conducted called Level Test Formulations (NF) performed at different times of the trial: one before beginning the topic (NF 1), one after three theoretical classes had been given and before beginning the fieldwork (NF 2), and another one after the end of the process (NF 3). Finally, individual interviews were conducted with each student to know the students' perceptions regarding the method. The information obtained was subjected to a qualitative analysis and categorization, using the QDA Miner program which reviewed and coded texts from the surveys and individual interviews, supplemented in turn, by field observation, analyzing the conceptual change, the theory-practice relationship and the correlation between the variables and categories established. x Among the main results obtained, it should be noted that following the implementation of PBL in this Animal Physiology course, support for conceptual change was demonstrated and the formulated problem served as a connector between theory and practice. Moreover, there was a fusion of prior knowledge with newly acquired knowledge, meaningful learning, improvement in the level of conceptualization and an increase in the scientificness of definitions; it also led to problem-solving and overcoming epistemological obstacles such as multidisciplinarity and nonlinearity. As a result of this research, it is recommended that this method be evaluated in other topics related to Animal Physiology, in other sciences, in larger sample sizes, as well as to address the issue of evaluation applied directly to this method. / Partiendo de algunas dificultades observadas en torno a los aspectos de la conceptualización técnico-científica y de la integración de la teoría y la práctica en el aprendizaje de la fisiología animal en los estudiantes del programa curricular de Zootecnia de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia, sede Medellín, la presente investigación propone una estrategia didáctica de enfoque problémico fundamentado en el método del Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas (ABP), aplicado específicamente en los temas de termorregulación y estrés fisiológico de los animales domésticos. En este estudio de caso se trabajó con una muestra de ocho estudiantes, a quienes se les presentó desde la primera sesión un problema didáctico para ser resuelto a través del curso. Con el fin de evaluar el proceso se llevaron a cabo tres encuestas denominadas Pruebas de nivel de formulación (NF) realizadas en distintos momentos del ensayo: una antes de comenzar con el tema (NF 1), otra después de las clases tres teóricas impartidas y antes de ir a la práctica de campo (NF 2), y otra después al final de todo el proceso (NF 3). Finalmente se realizaron entrevistas individuales a cada estudiante con el fin de conocer la percepción de los estudiantes con respecto al método. La información obtenida se sometió a un análisis cualitativo y por correspondencias, por medio del programa QDA Miner a través de la revisión y codificación de los textos provenientes de las encuestas y la entrevista individual, complementadas a su vez con la observación de campo, analizando el cambio conceptual, la relación teoría-práctica y las correspondencias entre las variables y categorías establecidas. vi Entre los principales resultados obtenidos cabe destacar que tras la aplicación del ABP en este curso de Fisiología Animal se favoreció el cambio conceptual y el problema formulado sirvió como conector entre la teoría y la práctica. Además, se observó la fusión de los conocimientos previos con los recién adquiridos, aprendizaje significativo, mejoramiento del nivel de formulación e incremento de la cientificidad de las definiciones; igualmente indujo la solución de problemas y la superación de obstáculos epistemológicos como la pluridisciplinariedad y la no-linearidad. Queda como recomendación el evaluar este método en otros temas de la Fisiología Animal, en otras ciencias, en muestras de mayor tamaño, así como abordar el tema de la evaluación aplicada directamente a este método.

A tese investiga o ensino de arquitetura e urbanismo no Brasil, enfatizando a experimentação prática e as possíveis aplicações nos seus contextos locais. Apresenta como estas atividades têm sido desenvolvidas no curso de Arquitetura e Urbanismo da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR), e como a história de 108 anos da instituição, ligadas ao ensino tecnológico, influenciam as bases pedagógicas do curso. Apresenta também uma proposta para melhoria da qualidade de vida nas universidades, aplicada à UTFPR. Examina doze novos cursos de Arquitetura e Urbanismo das Instituições Federais no Brasil, com o máximo de dez anos (2006-2016), apresentando a forma como estes cursos, integrados com as comunidades locais, vêm contribuindo para o ensino. Organiza duas descrições históricas, uma referente à evolução dos cursos no Brasil, culminando em uma base cadastral dos mesmos, a qual mostra uma análise pouco positiva referente às avaliações dos cursos. Outra, refere-se aos aspectos pedagógicos gerais e aplicados ao ensino de arquitetura e urbanismo, os quais apontam para novas formas de pedagogias mais abertas, e a importância do Canteiro Experimental como eixo estruturante nos cursos. Diante destas constatações, as quais indicam a necessidade da mudança de paradigmas no ensino superior no Brasil, são propostos conceitos norteadores que podem contribuir para novos caminhos em busca da excelência na formação profissional do arquiteto e urbanista. / The present thesis investigates how Archicture and Urban Planning is taught in Brasil, emphasizing the practical experimentation and possible applications in its local contexts. It presents how these activities have been developed in the Undergraduate course of Architecture and Urban Planning at Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR) and how 108 years of history , together whit technological teaching, have influenced the pedagogical bases of the course. In addition, it presents a project to improve the quality of life in the universities, applied to UTFPR. It searches twelve new undergraduate programs of Architecture and Urban Planning at Federal Institutions in Brazil, ten-years old maximum (2006-2016), showing how these courses, integrated whit local comunnities, have been contributing to education. This research organizes two historical descriptions. One about the evolution of the courses in Brazil - that culminates in a data base that shows a not very positive analysis of those courses evaluation. Furthermore, it refers to the general pedagogical aspects and its application to the teaching of Architecture and Urban Planning, which point to new kinds of more open pegagogies, and the importance of the Experimental Construction as a structuring axis in the courses. Considering these findings, which indicate the need of a paradigm shift in higher education in Brazil, guiding concepts are proposed that may contribute to new paths in the search of excellence in the professional training of the Architect and Urban Planner.

A tese investiga o ensino de arquitetura e urbanismo no Brasil, enfatizando a experimentação prática e as possíveis aplicações nos seus contextos locais. Apresenta como estas atividades têm sido desenvolvidas no curso de Arquitetura e Urbanismo da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR), e como a história de 108 anos da instituição, ligadas ao ensino tecnológico, influenciam as bases pedagógicas do curso. Apresenta também uma proposta para melhoria da qualidade de vida nas universidades, aplicada à UTFPR. Examina doze novos cursos de Arquitetura e Urbanismo das Instituições Federais no Brasil, com o máximo de dez anos (2006-2016), apresentando a forma como estes cursos, integrados com as comunidades locais, vêm contribuindo para o ensino. Organiza duas descrições históricas, uma referente à evolução dos cursos no Brasil, culminando em uma base cadastral dos mesmos, a qual mostra uma análise pouco positiva referente às avaliações dos cursos. Outra, refere-se aos aspectos pedagógicos gerais e aplicados ao ensino de arquitetura e urbanismo, os quais apontam para novas formas de pedagogias mais abertas, e a importância do Canteiro Experimental como eixo estruturante nos cursos. Diante destas constatações, as quais indicam a necessidade da mudança de paradigmas no ensino superior no Brasil, são propostos conceitos norteadores que podem contribuir para novos caminhos em busca da excelência na formação profissional do arquiteto e urbanista. / The present thesis investigates how Archicture and Urban Planning is taught in Brasil, emphasizing the practical experimentation and possible applications in its local contexts. It presents how these activities have been developed in the Undergraduate course of Architecture and Urban Planning at Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR) and how 108 years of history , together whit technological teaching, have influenced the pedagogical bases of the course. In addition, it presents a project to improve the quality of life in the universities, applied to UTFPR. It searches twelve new undergraduate programs of Architecture and Urban Planning at Federal Institutions in Brazil, ten-years old maximum (2006-2016), showing how these courses, integrated whit local comunnities, have been contributing to education. This research organizes two historical descriptions. One about the evolution of the courses in Brazil - that culminates in a data base that shows a not very positive analysis of those courses evaluation. Furthermore, it refers to the general pedagogical aspects and its application to the teaching of Architecture and Urban Planning, which point to new kinds of more open pegagogies, and the importance of the Experimental Construction as a structuring axis in the courses. Considering these findings, which indicate the need of a paradigm shift in higher education in Brazil, guiding concepts are proposed that may contribute to new paths in the search of excellence in the professional training of the Architect and Urban Planner.

En partant de quelques difficultés observées autour des aspects de la conceptualisation technoscientifique et de l’intégration de la de la théorie et la pratique dans l’apprentissage de la physiologie animale chez les étudiants du programme de Zootechnie de l’Université Nationale de Colombie, siège Medellín, cette recherche propose une stratégie didactique s’appuyant sur la méthode de l’Apprentissage Basé sur les Problèmes (ABP), appliquée spécifiquement aux sujets de thermorégulation et stress physiologique des animaux domestiques. Dans cette étude de cas on a travaillé avec un échantillon de huit étudiants à qui on a présenté dès la première session un problème didactique pour être résolu à travers le cours. Afin d’évaluer le processus on a réalisé trois enquêtes nommées Épreuves de Niveau de Formulation (NF) réalisées à différents moments de l’essai : l’une avant de commencer avec le sujet (NF 1), l’autre après la troisième classe théorique donnée et avant de faire la pratique sur le terrain (NF 2), et l’autre à la fin du processus (NF 3). Finalement on a réalisé des entretiens individuels avec chaque étudiant afin de connaître sa perception concernant la méthode. L’information obtenue a été soumise à une analyse qualitative et par des correspondances, par le biais du programme QDA Miner à travers de la révision et codification des textes provenants des enquêtes et de l’entretien individuel, complétés à leur tour par des observations sur le terrain, en analysant le changement conceptuel, la relation théorie-pratique et les correspondances entre les variables et les catégories établies. Parmi les principaux résultats obtenus on souligne le fait qu’après avoir appliqué l’ABP dans ce cours de Physiologie Animale le changement conceptuel a été favorisé et le problème formulé a servi comme connecteur entre la théorie et la pratique. En outre, on a observé la fusion des connaissances préalables avec les nouveaux acquis, l’apprentissage significatif, l’amélioration du niveau de formulation et l’augmentation de la scientificité des définitions; également il a mené à la solution viii de problèmes et à surmonter les obstacles épistémologiques comme la pluridisciplinarité et la non-linéarité. Il reste comme recommandation celle d’évaluer cette méthode dans d’autres sujets de la Physiologie Animale, dans d’autres sciences, dans des échantillons d’une taille majeure, ainsi comme approcher le sujet de l’évaluation appliquée directement à cette méthode. / Based on difficulties observed on the subject of technical-scientific conceptualization and the integration of theory and practice in learning animal physiology for students in the Animal Science program at the National University of Colombia in Medellin, this research paper proposes a problem-based learning strategy founded on the method of Problem Based Learning (PBL), applied specifically to the issues of thermoregulation and physiological stress in domestic animals. In this case study, a sample size of eight students was presented with a pedagogical problem during the first session that would then be solved during the course. In order to evaluate the process, three surveys were conducted called Level Test Formulations (NF) performed at different times of the trial: one before beginning the topic (NF 1), one after three theoretical classes had been given and before beginning the fieldwork (NF 2), and another one after the end of the process (NF 3). Finally, individual interviews were conducted with each student to know the students' perceptions regarding the method. The information obtained was subjected to a qualitative analysis and categorization, using the QDA Miner program which reviewed and coded texts from the surveys and individual interviews, supplemented in turn, by field observation, analyzing the conceptual change, the theory-practice relationship and the correlation between the variables and categories established. x Among the main results obtained, it should be noted that following the implementation of PBL in this Animal Physiology course, support for conceptual change was demonstrated and the formulated problem served as a connector between theory and practice. Moreover, there was a fusion of prior knowledge with newly acquired knowledge, meaningful learning, improvement in the level of conceptualization and an increase in the scientificness of definitions; it also led to problem-solving and overcoming epistemological obstacles such as multidisciplinarity and nonlinearity. As a result of this research, it is recommended that this method be evaluated in other topics related to Animal Physiology, in other sciences, in larger sample sizes, as well as to address the issue of evaluation applied directly to this method. / Partiendo de algunas dificultades observadas en torno a los aspectos de la conceptualización técnico-científica y de la integración de la teoría y la práctica en el aprendizaje de la fisiología animal en los estudiantes del programa curricular de Zootecnia de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia, sede Medellín, la presente investigación propone una estrategia didáctica de enfoque problémico fundamentado en el método del Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas (ABP), aplicado específicamente en los temas de termorregulación y estrés fisiológico de los animales domésticos. En este estudio de caso se trabajó con una muestra de ocho estudiantes, a quienes se les presentó desde la primera sesión un problema didáctico para ser resuelto a través del curso. Con el fin de evaluar el proceso se llevaron a cabo tres encuestas denominadas Pruebas de nivel de formulación (NF) realizadas en distintos momentos del ensayo: una antes de comenzar con el tema (NF 1), otra después de las clases tres teóricas impartidas y antes de ir a la práctica de campo (NF 2), y otra después al final de todo el proceso (NF 3). Finalmente se realizaron entrevistas individuales a cada estudiante con el fin de conocer la percepción de los estudiantes con respecto al método. La información obtenida se sometió a un análisis cualitativo y por correspondencias, por medio del programa QDA Miner a través de la revisión y codificación de los textos provenientes de las encuestas y la entrevista individual, complementadas a su vez con la observación de campo, analizando el cambio conceptual, la relación teoría-práctica y las correspondencias entre las variables y categorías establecidas. vi Entre los principales resultados obtenidos cabe destacar que tras la aplicación del ABP en este curso de Fisiología Animal se favoreció el cambio conceptual y el problema formulado sirvió como conector entre la teoría y la práctica. Además, se observó la fusión de los conocimientos previos con los recién adquiridos, aprendizaje significativo, mejoramiento del nivel de formulación e incremento de la cientificidad de las definiciones; igualmente indujo la solución de problemas y la superación de obstáculos epistemológicos como la pluridisciplinariedad y la no-linearidad. Queda como recomendación el evaluar este método en otros temas de la Fisiología Animal, en otras ciencias, en muestras de mayor tamaño, así como abordar el tema de la evaluación aplicada directamente a este método.