Digital Commons Network^™

Teaching Instruments To Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Students, Angelina Kim

Masters Theses

This curriculum project provides information regarding teaching musical instruments to Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students in elementary school settings. Previous studies have addressed teaching DHH students reading, writing, and general music, but not much on implementing musical instruments for DHH students. In this study, the researcher will have extensive document reviews on the importance of music education for DHH students and identify the ways to teach DHH students about instrument playing. Furthermore, the researcher will prepare lesson plans teaching musical instruments for DHH students in elementary music classrooms and add more data for analysis. The results of this …

Exegetical Analysis Of The Vision In Daniel 10-12, Sydni M. Howard

Masters Theses

The thesis examines the visions and divine communications described in the Book of Daniel, particularly chapters 10-12. The study demonstrates that God gave his wise people supernatural insight and revelation of his plans to aid and give hope in perilous times .

The research employs an exegetical approach to analyze Daniel 10-12, utilizing a detailed review of prominent scholarly interpretations by Adolf Leo Oppenheim, John Joseph Collins, Tremper Longman III, J. Paul Tanner, John T. Willis, John Walvoord, and John C. Whitcomb. The study focuses on understanding the historical, literary, and cultural contexts of the visions, exploring the mechanisms of …

When The Tide Comes: A Critical Examination Of The Novel-Screenplay Hybrid With Example Chapters, Morgan F. Taylor Moore

Masters Theses

This thesis presents my research on the psychological realism genre, the stream of consciousness narrative technique, the usage of second person and the present tense, the biblical reasoning behind depicting the ordinary as extraordinary, the role of the demonic in domestic violence, the incorporation of screenplay styles, the scientific reasoning and personal findings of my project’s formatting, the examination of primary sources (novels) that have inspired my project, and finally, the research on ADHD, PTSD, and C-PTSD as the results of domestic abuse. Sample chapters of my project are included.

Teacher's Experiences Of The Response To Intervention Model Implementation In State-Ranked New Jersey Schools: A Qualitative Case Study, Kimberly Myers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to discover and describe teachers’ experiences of RTI implementation for kindergarten through grade five general education teachers at state-ranked suburban New Jersey schools. The theory guiding this study is Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy, as it applies to teachers’ experiences of the effectiveness of the RTI process. According to Bandura, self-efficacy is the perception of how well one can execute a task. Self-efficacy can connect to teacher efficacy through the feeling of understanding the job requirements and the intended goals. This case study assessed how teachers’ experiences of the RTI process impact the overall …

The Experience Of Middle School Special Education Teachers In New Jersey Teaching Virtually During Covid-19, Yolanda Henderson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to describe the experiences of middle school special education teachers working remotely in New Jersey during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conceptual framework that guided this study was Schlossberg’s Transition Theory. Schlossberg's Transition Theory refers to events that result in a change of relationships, routines, assumptions, or roles. This theory allowed me to see the various phases such as moving in, through, and out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing how the pandemic affected the relationships, routines, and roles of teachers made it easy to understand how this theory related directly to the pandemic. …

Fallenness, Sustainment, And Judgment: Analyzing Coherency In The Thematic Trajectory Of Qohelet, Albert R. Portillo Jr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study has sought to establish a basis for coherency in Qohelet’s theological appeal by analyzing a thematic trajectory underpinned by the rhetoric of Qohelet’s emphasis on vanity, joy, and judgment. These emphases follow what have been labeled projectile themes, which aim at particular points, carrying the audience from one thought to another. These thoughts are deeply correlated and best recognized as the substance forming Qohelet’s framework from which Qohelet’s teaching flows. In other words, Qohelet’s thoughts, revealed by his thematic emphasis and endpoint, function as an evangelistic appeal to a theological worldview, whereby the minds and hearts of his …

Creating Thinking Classrooms In Music Education: Teacher And Student Perspectives Of Twenty-First-Century Instruction, Dave Mcgarry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite changes to provincial documents in British Columbia, many music educators still rely on traditional teaching methods. This convergent mixed methods case study aimed to understand student and teacher perspectives on twenty-first-century instruction in the music classroom, providing insights to enhance and enrich experiences in musical learning. Data were collected from thirty-one students in a singular grade nine to twelve instrumental band class through interviews, lesson journals, direct observations, surveys, student artifacts, field notes, and pre-and post-test measures. The study analyzed students' musical self-confidence inventories and examined the effects of a twenty-first-century student-centered curriculum over six weeks. This curriculum emphasized …

Disciple-Making At St. Louis Baptist Church, Vasquez R. Granberry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In careful reflection, the members at St. Louis Baptist Church need a more structured way to train on disciples making disciples. The purpose of this DMIN action research project is to develop and deliver a structured small group training process for making disciples who will become St. Louis Baptist Church disciple-makers. The current thesis for a Doctor of Ministry degree focuses on disciple-making. The objective is to learn and teach the membership how to become disciple-makers within the St. Louis Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas. Allowing these matters to address disciple-makers will also enable the researcher to discover the topics …

Perceptions Of The Classroom Environment And Academic Achievement For 7th And 8th Grade Students In Rural California: A Predictive Correlational Study, Joshua Kenneth Blackburn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, predictive correlational study is to determine if there is a predictive relationship between perceptions of classroom environment and academic achievement in reading and language usage for 7th and 8th grade students. The study builds on previous research that has explored the relationship between student needs and the learning environment, utilizing Maslow's hierarchy of needs and Skinner's radical behaviorism theory. One hundred and twenty-four 7th and 8th grade students from rural California participated in the study. The students were 7th and 8th grade students for the 2023/24 school year and were all from the same school …

Grounded In Faith: Maintaining And Appreciating A Relationship With God, Oneself, And Others In An Ever-Changing World With New Ears And Eyes, Antoinette Marie Reaves

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The declining Mass attendance and participation in campus ministries at Cabrini University prompted this action research project. It was designed to engage students in guided dialogue defending key Christian doctrines to boost their Mass attendance and deepen their spiritual engagement. By involving seventeen students and employing interviews, focus group discussions, questionnaires, and surveys, the intersection of religion and spirituality among young adults was explored. Insights highlighted the participants’ perspectives regarding declining Mass attendance and disengagement from institutionalized religion. Meaningful dialogue around fundamental Christian doctrines, such as God’s existence and Jesus’ death and resurrection, was fostered to motivate students to increase …

Exploring Prelicensure Bsn Students' Knowledge Of Mindfulness Meditation Using A Smartphone App To Manage Stress And Promote Resilience: A Qualitative Single Case Study, Beth A. Kelley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students' knowledge of mindfulness meditation (MM) using a smartphone app (SMA) to manage stress and promote resilience. Guiding this study was the transactional model of stress, adaptation, and coping by Lazarus and Folkman (1984) and the zone of proximal development (ZPD) educational theory by Vygotsky. The study asked the following questions: What was pre-licensure Bachelor of Science of Nursing (BSN) students’ knowledge of mindfulness meditation (MM) using a smartphone app (SMA) to manage stress and promote resilience? What had the prelicensure BSN …

Perspective-Taking, Self-Talk, And Social Connection: A Phenomenological Study Of How Individual Practices Reduce Loneliness During The Menopausal Years, Sarah Joy Groff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Menopause is a stage of the life cycle known for physical, mental, and emotional changes. Many women report feeling isolated and lonely during this time due to changes in hormones and physical appearance, lack of sleep, uncertainty about their role after raising children, and cultural pressures to remain thin and beautiful. Due to the lack of education and normalization of this life change, women often withdraw and become increasingly depressed or anxious, as a result. Loneliness is associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, suicidality, premature death, and a variety of other physical ailments. However, previous research suggests that the …

Promoting Self-Advocacy Skills Development Of Students With Disabilities Transitioning From Middle To High School, Tina L. Norris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this single case study was to understand the importance of self-determination skills and how these developmental skills can help students with disabilities make choices, set goals, and take responsibility for their actions, so the students can have a successful transition to high school. The skills can help motivate students in developing a student-centered transition plan. The theory guiding this study is the self-determination theory, placing emphasis on how educators can address students’ basic psychological needs which are autonomy, competence, and relatedness. These needs can increase a student’s intrinsic motivation to achieve. Special education teachers at one high …

The Impact Of Social Media On Young People And Christian Chaplains, Darrien Defederico

Masters Theses

Social media is a ubiquitous form of technology in the modern world. It encompasses not only cell phone applications such as Facebook, but also gaming platforms and even the Internet itself. Social media has negative effects on not only psychological development but also on spiritual development. It has far-reaching influence, can be extremely addicting, and can dull spirituality. However, with the right training, social media can be used for beneficial psychological and spiritual development. There is research that social media largely amplifies the mindset users are already in. This can result in spiritual growth if that is the user’s intent. …

We Are Better For Having Survived: Tejanas In World War Ii, Ashleigh Champagne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The contributions of women during World War II were significant to the Allies’ success. Women in the United States took on responsibilities that were typically not within their traditional roles. Latinas also impacted the war efforts, and their contributions have garnered less attention. Specifically focusing on the Mexican American women in Texas, this paper uses oral histories from archives located in Texas colleges, universities, and public libraries to highlight the ways these Tejanas were essential to society during wartime, how it challenged their traditional and cultural identity, and how that change inspired them to organize to fight for their communities …

School Ethnic-Racial Socialization And Educator Practices: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology Qualitative Study, Cyntrenna C. Palmer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutical phenomenological study was aimed to discover and interpret the educator’s experience as ethnic-racial socialization (ERS) agents of adolescent youth in schools in the United States. The theory guiding this study was Saleem and Byrd’s school ethnic-racial socialization conceptual model, as it highlights the importance of the school context in shaping adolescent youth ethnic-racial identity and the examination of educators as school ethnic-racial socialization agents. The central question is, what are the lived experiences of educators of adolescent youth as ethnic-racial socialization agents in public schools in the United States? There were 13 educators of adolescent …

Lateral Entry Secondary Career And Technical Education Teachers' Perception Of Teacher Self-Efficacy: A Phenomenological Study, Chunnisee T. Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe lateral entry career and technical education (CTE) teachers’ experiences with self-efficacy within a secondary school in the southcentral region of the United States. Guided by Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, the study aimed to uncover the subjective experiences and perspectives of lateral entry CTE teachers as they navigated their teaching roles. The central research question addressed was: How did lateral entry CTE teachers describe experiences of self-efficacy development in a secondary school in the southcentral region of the United States? A sample of 10 lateral entry secondary CTE teachers who meet all …

The Lived Experiences Of Educators Leveraging Educational Technology And Connectivism For Fostering Academic Achievement In Higher Education: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Cynthia T. Plueger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of educators at public universities in the southern region of the United States who leverage educational technology to enhance student engagement and improve academic achievement through the application of connectivism principles in learning environments. This study was guided by the connectivism theory, which highlights the significance of interconnected networks, contemporary knowledge, and the interrelatedness of information in digital higher education learning environments. The central research question was: How do educators at public universities in the southern region of the United States describe their lived experiences with leveraging …

Caregiver Interactions And Burnout In Speech-Language Pathology, Wyndi L. Capeci

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Speech-language pathology is a needed service for many children and adults. However, service provision is decreasing due to a critical shortage and an increased number of clients due to an aging population. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) face near-insurmountable barriers to work satisfaction that manifest as burnout symptoms. This study aimed to examine the existing factor of caregiver contact, which is already prevalent in the therapy environment, and its relationship with symptoms of burnout. This quantitative study encompassed a quasi-experimental correlational design using a survey method to determine demographics, caregiver contact hours, and self-reported symptoms of burnout to address these issues. In …

English As A Second Language Teacher Training In China: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Keithe Wall

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand and describe the lived experiences of foreign university English as an additional language instructor in China who had or were currently teaching at the tertiary level as it relates to teacher training and preparation programs. The theory that guided this study was Shulman’s Theory of Pedagogical Content Knowledge, as Shulman’s theory clearly defines the knowledge that instructors must possess to be effective, and teacher training and preparation can be more clearly understood through Shulman’s framework. The study’s methodology was a phenomenology design. Purposeful sampling was implemented. The study was conducted …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of South Carolina Foster Parents Within Spartanburg County Public Schools: A Phenomenological Study, Ashley Warlick Height

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe foster parents’ experiences with high schools in the Spartanburg, South Carolina area. The study utilized phenomenological methods of gathering information by way of interviews and focus groups. The study explored the lived experiences of foster parents across the state of South Carolina most specifically about the enrollment process of new placements and the overall academic success and support those foster parents perceived that the foster youth in their homes received from the school system. The researcher sought to answer the following questions: 1. How do foster parents feel they are viewed …

A Quasi-Experimental Study On The Effects Of Small Group Learning On Mathematical Resilience In Upper Elementary Students, Joshua Adam Costelnock

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental study was to determine the effect of small group learning during the core mathematics block on 5th-grade students’ mathematical resilience, compared to a control group. Student collaboration and mathematical discourse decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a drop in math proficiency levels in the United States. Approximately 80 5th-grade students from the southwest United States were divided into two sample groups of about 40 each. These groups were assessed using the Upper Elementary Mathematics Resilience Scale. One group primarily experienced teacher-centered whole group instruction, while the other group spent half of their daily …

Secondary Teacher Burnout: Student Smartphone And Social Media Use In The Classroom: A Hermeneutical Phenomenological Study, Joseph Ryan Koelle

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological research was to uncover the experiences of secondary school teachers regarding student smartphone and social media use in the classroom and teacher burnout. Due to the focus on teacher burnout, the guiding theory for this research is Maslach’s burnout theory. Maslach’s theory was chosen due to the nature of what professional educators encounter in the classroom setting regarding student smartphone and social media use during instructional time and the potential effects on secondary teachers of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. How can student smartphone and social media use in the classroom influence secondary teacher …

An Exploration Of The Big Five Traits And Effective Private Music Teachers, Christopher James Ozorio

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite research studies on the dispositions of successful music educators, few studies have been published on the relationship between Big Five traits and successful private music instructors in a for-profit setting. By documenting these findings, educators will gain insights into effective traits, enabling them to refine their approach to music lessons in a private business setting. The author identifies this specific area of music education as needing to be explored and documented through qualitative research. Surveyed instructors from Arizona (N=12) indicate a significant correlation between high scores on certain traits of the Big Five and success in the private teaching …

Perceived Degree Value Amongst Two-Year Technical School Graduates, And Regional Employers: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Jonathan D. Hartwell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to gain an in-depth understanding of how graduates of Zion Mountain Institute of Technology (pseudonym), perceive the value of their two-year technical degrees as it relates to job satisfaction. In this research, job satisfaction is defined as the perceived value of the associate degree awarded. The theories that guided this study were Herzberg’s two-factor theory and Holland’s theory of vocational choice, as they both relate to job satisfaction or perceived degree value due to the correlation between employability, hygiene issues, motivators, and personality characteristics. The participant sample consisted of 10 recent graduates …

The Effects Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Teacher Self-Efficacy Among Online Faculty And Residential Faculty Transitioned To Online Teaching: A Causal-Comparative Study, Sheryl Welfel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Teacher self-efficacy within the context of a crisis is valuable to study as it impacts the whole of the educational environment. The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a difference in the perception of teacher self-efficacy between instructors who were impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The importance of this study focused on how faculty members described their teacher self-efficacy while implementing online instruction in emergency remote online teaching situations. The participants for this study were higher education faculty from a university in the eastern region of the United States who taught from 2019 to 2022 which …

A Non-Experimental Quantitative Correlational Study Of Emotional Intelligence As An Effective Tool For Pastoral Leadership, Louis Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Pastoral leadership must understand their obligation to provide and promote healthy relationships in their personal, professional, and church ministries by utilizing the effective tool of emotional intelligence (EI) to become more effective (Goleman et al., 2013; Hendron et al., 2014; Chavous et al., 2023). The concept and usage of EI have experienced continued growth within the secular and academic organizational fields. However, there is little research on EI among the Christian pastoral leadership, the church, its associated ministries, and its educational institutions (Hendron et al., 2014). As noted by scholars, this gap in the literature and the credibility crisis of …

Through The Lens Of Admissions Staff And Faculty Reviewers: How Implicit Bias Training May Mitigate Bias In The University Admissions Process: A Phenomenological Study, Sabrina L. Capps

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of university admissions staff and faculty reviewers who have attended an implicit bias, unconscious bias, or diversity training session while working at a higher education institution. The theories guiding this study were Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior (TPB) and Bandura’s theory of social learning. Both theories discussed how individuals may act in certain circumstances based on their social interactions, prior behaviors, and upbringing. What are the perspectives and lived experiences of admissions staff and faculty reviewers who have attended an implicit bias, unconscious bias, or diversity training at …

Hip Hop Performing Arts Charter Schools: The Future Of Arts Education In Predominantly Non-White, Low Income, Underserved Rural Areas Of Louisiana, Anthony P. Shelton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Some still view arts education as a non-essential extracurricular activity despite its benefits. Even though the Every Student Succeeds Act acknowledges arts education is a healthy and well-rounded subject, local, district, and state administrators still control budget allocation and cuts, which generally affect arts education. There has also been a decline or lack of interest in traditional learning methods in the arts and core subjects. Alternative student learning forms have shown benefits in suburban, urban, and inner-city schools. Still, there is little information about these methods in predominantly non-white rural schools. Research using qualitative methods examines the potential effectiveness of …

Modern-Day Idol Worship At Life Changers Church: How It Was Identified And Replaced With True Worship Of God, Franzetta L. Ivy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This DMIN project ventures to establish and further a ministry design rooted in God’s Word that instructs, equips, and enhances Christian lives. The project offers a structure by which God’s Word can renew and transform people’s minds. The ten-week project intervention utilized a weekly Bible class, interviews, questionnaires, and observations to collect information from seven participants at Life Changers Church. The purpose was to examine the problem of modern-day idol worship and foster motivation, commitment, and reverence for God by applying spiritual awareness through teaching from an intentionally designed worship handbook. This action-based research project endeavored to link the application …