Problem-solving interactions in the collaborative discourse of engineering design: a descriptive framework and three applications

dc.contributor.advisorHorwitz, Elaine Kolker, 1950-en
dc.creatorCarpenter, Mark Allanen
dc.date.accessioned2008-08-28T21:23:51Zen
dc.date.available2008-08-28T21:23:51Zen
dc.date.issued2003en
dc.descriptiontexten
dc.description.abstractThe purpose of this study is to develop a framework whereby a systematic approach can be applied to the description and study of problem-solving discourse between engineers in the early definitional stages of design projects. The framework is applied to the de- scription of discourse within three teams of student electrical and computer engineers working in two-person teams to define and plan solutions to complex design problems. The framework helps in the understanding of how certain team-member properties (differences in partner preferences for cognitive and communicative tasks) and perceptions of team and individual performance (differences in partner satisfaction with the cognitive and communicative aspects of their team project) relate to the cooperative patterns that appear in team problem-solving discourse. Questionnaires are used to obtain taskpreference and project-satisfaction data for each team member and to generate profiles that highlight the differences between team members. To identify cooperative patterns, discourse analyses are performed on transcriptions of team dialogue. By taking entire teams and not merely the individuals that compose them as the units of analysis, the study provides insights into how fundamental differences between team members relate to the qualities of problem-solving discourse and how the qualities of team discourse relate to project satisfaction. Such insights may be helpful to instructors of technicalcommunication courses who want to incorporate problem- or project-oriented activities to their class activities and seek the conceptual tools to interpret the collaborative behaviors they observe.
dc.description.departmentForeign Language Educationen
dc.format.mediumelectronicen
dc.identifierb56727537en
dc.identifier.oclc55984570en
dc.identifier.proqst3116274en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2152/483en
dc.language.isoengen
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author. Presentation of this material on the Libraries' web site by University Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin was made possible under a limited license grant from the author who has retained all copyrights in the works.en
dc.subject.lcshGroup work in education--United Statesen
dc.subject.lcshCooperativenessen
dc.subject.lcshProblem-based learning--United Statesen
dc.titleProblem-solving interactions in the collaborative discourse of engineering design: a descriptive framework and three applicationsen
dc.type.genreThesisen
thesis.degree.departmentForeign Language Educationen
thesis.degree.disciplineForeign Language Educationen
thesis.degree.grantorThe University of Texas at Austinen
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophyen

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