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The Relationship Between Secondary Teachers’ Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge And Technology Integration Factors, Randal Cody Raper

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research in educational technology has led to the discovery of factors for successful technology integration into the classroom—technology access and support, professional development, attitudes toward technology, technology use by students, and technology use by teachers. Additionally, using the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) theoretical framework, a teacher’s understanding of the knowledge required to effectively implement technology can be measured. This study attempted to examine the relationship between teachers’ TPACK score and the key indicators of technology integration using the TPACK survey and the Survey of Technology Integration and Related Factors (STIR). Using a nonexperimental, correlational design, participants were selected from …

Third, Fourth, And Fifth Grade Teachers’ Experiences With Academic Parental Involvement At Denied-Accreditation Elementary Schools In Virginia: A Phenomenological Study, Allison Knappenberger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental, phenomenological study was to understand third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers’ experiences with academic parental involvement at denied-accreditation elementary schools. Parent involvement refers to two-way communication between parents and teachers. Denied accreditation refers to schools scoring below 70% on state assessments for four or more consecutive years. The theories guiding this study were the Getzels and Guba (1957) social systems theory and Bakhtin’s (1986) theory of dialogism as they influence teachers’ experiences of academic parental involvement through socio-psychological and dialogic environmental interactions. The research questions for this study included: How do third, fourth, and fifth …

When Two Become One: Reconsidering Marriage As A Sacrament In Protestant Theology, Adam Neal

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Protestant theology has historically rejected marriage as sacrament, a rejection which continues to resound in the majority of contemporary Protestant scholarship. Yet many, if not most, arguments against sacramental marriage tacitly follow an outline set forward by Luther and Calvin which, if examined with critical scrutiny, is based on a problematic soteriological premise. In light of this, the present study sets forward a comprehensive argument in favor of Protestant theology reaffirming marriage as a sacrament through systematic investigation into the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), New Testament, and Christian history. After developing a critical hermeneutic founded on realist epistemological grounds, a …

Mark's Gospel Compared With Virgil's Aeneid, Floyd Schneider

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation will present the Gospel of Mark in light of the Aeneid, Virgil’s epic poem published by Augustus immediately after Virgil’s death in 19 B.C. The Aeneid’s genre, literary style, grammar, symbolic hermeneutics, and lasting influence has been thoroughly researched and dissected in literature courses throughout the centuries. It has been translated into numerous languages and widely distributed in terms of geography and nationalities. Virgil wrote the Aeneid to proclaim the deity of Augustus. “Hic Caesar et omnis Juli progenies magnum caeli ventura sub axem. Hic vir, his est, tibi quem promitti saepius audis, Augustus Caesar, Divi genus, aurea …

Resuscitated Indeed: Paul And The Resurrection Age, Christopher Paul Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study seeks to uncover a link between the Second Temple and patristic material as it relates to the resurrection. The methodology employed here is a diachronic interconceptual analysis. After surveying this material Paul's discussion of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15 is then addressed. Given the surrounding milieu in which Paul was operating and the way some Fathers understood the resurrection (via Paul's writings), it is possible that Paul was not trying to discuss an individual resurrection. Instead, he was speaking of a resurrection in which the physical raising of the body is but one step. The terminology utilized …

The Importance Of Athanasius And The Views Of His Character, Jack Steven Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Athanasius is the one of the most important figures in church history. He is known for firmly standing for the faith in a time when the Arian heresy threatened to forever impact the church. However, during the fourth century Athanasius was able to effectively combat this trend and he suffered greatly for it as he was exiled five times during his forty-five years as the bishop of Alexandria. His first exile came in AD 335 and this is the most important one to understand as many of the charges brought against him were reiterated later on. Most church historians and …

The Examination Of Executive Leadership Succession Planning Strategies In Georgia's Community Colleges, Craig Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem addressed observed the lack of succession planning at two-year colleges in Georgia in identifying future leaders in higher education. Due to escalating impending retirements, resignation, and discharge, it is vital that succession plans are implemented within the college for promotions. Leadership succession planning has seldom been incorporated into community college’s strategic planning. The emphasis of this research study was to examine how leadership succession planning can be developed and implemented in the community college arena in Georgia. Challenged by increased enrollments, diminishing state funding, accountability for student success, and increased public oversight, this study intended to provide awareness …

The Influence Of The Social Service Activities Of A Church On The Image And Evangelism Of The Church: A Case Study Of Myoung-Gok Church In Changwon, Korea, Sang Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study aims to examine the impact of social service activities of the church on the image and evangelism of the church in the community, and to find a method of spreading the Gospel effectively. Various causes for the stagnation of Korean church are mentioned and discussed, but it is determined that the most fundamental reason is the dilution of the essence of the church. Thus, this researcher will reveal the appropriateness of “the doctrine of the local church” by summing up the doctrine of the church appearing in the flow of history based on the biblical doctrine of the …

The Formation Of A Church Community United With A Local Community: The Case Of Vision Village In Changwon, Kyungsangnamdo, Hang Cho

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this thesis project is to build a platform for a united community of church and local residents. In the community, the church expands its boundaries so as to become embedded in the local resident community. Nowadays, Korean churches have lost the public character and the ability to fulfill their social roles and functions in the community. As a result, the churches have low reputation and influence in society, and they face the crisis of reductions in the number of churches and its members. For the sake of overcoming these problems of Korean churches, the thesis studies biblical …

A Study On The Principles And Methods Of A Retreat Program For The Spiritual Growth Of Youth With A Focus On The United Retreat Ministry In South Korea, Eunho Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this thesis is to help Korean churches create more effective retreats for the spiritual growth of their youth. Most of the youth in Korean churches participate in spiritual retreats during their summer and winter vacations. In the past, many of the youth converted or recovered their faith through retreats. Nowadays, the Korean youth are exposed to all sorts of secularized culture and media, which result in the deterioration of their spirituality. Therefore, it is a major challenge for youth ministry in Korean churches to have their youth experience personal spiritual growth at retreats. The writer has organized …

Developing A Strategy To Make Young Adult Disciples In Korean Churches: Focusing On God’S Word In A Discipleship Process, Hyun Park

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There are many discipleship programs in Korean churches; however, the programs have not had positive effects on young adult for the purpose of developing disciple makers. Discipleship for young adult requires many elements in the process including God’s word, fellowship, training in Christian habits, and spiritual maturity. The purpose of the thesis is to examine Jesus’ and the Apostles’ discipleship processes and to suggest a strategy for making young adult multiply in Korean churches, focusing on God’s words as a discipleship making process. This study will explore discipleship processes of the New Testament and discuss how God’s Word has an …

The Complex Life Experience Of First-Generation College Students Who Are Working Adults In The Appalachian Region Of The United States: A Phenomenological Study, Deborah Thurman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

he purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe and understand the complexity of life experiences for first-generation college students or recent graduates who are working adults in the Central and South-Central Appalachian region of the United States in light of the construct resilience and how purposefully selected students continued study despite difficulties. In this study, information gathered was synthesized regarding three issues: first-generation students, working adult students, and the influences of Central and South-Central Appalachian regional culture. The theory used to guide this study is resilience as it relates to the educational persistence of working, adult, first-generation college …

A Study Of Developing Healthy Disciples In The Korean-American Church, Kyung Seo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Korean-American congregations within the Presbyterian denomination need to implement a Bible-centered discipleship model in order to become a more spiritual and viable Christian church. As the Senior Pastor for the Columbia Korean Presbyterian Church (2009-2014), the author utilized qualitative and quantitative analysis when interviewing church pastors within the Korean-American Presbyterian Churches of America. The surveys identified the need for a practical model of spiritual growth to develop healthy disciples within the Korean-American Church. Based upon the biblical principle of Christian discipleship, the author developed an overall a three-level strategy of making healthy disciples.

An Examination Of The Prosperity Gospel: A Plea For Return To Biblical Truth, Aaron Phillips

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The prosperity gospel teaches that the Bible promises health, wealth and uncommon success to all believers. A problem surfaces when the prosperity that is promised does not materialize to all members of the congregation. In examining the validity of this teaching, extensive writings, books, articles and sermons by leading proponents, have been reviewed. Additionally, interviews with at least one hundred pastors inform this writing. The purpose of the research is to furnish contemporary, active insight to this project. The conclusion of this writer is that the prosperity gospel offers an unbalanced application of scripture, which results in a departure from …

Joonhyun, Joonhyun Bae

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

During the last decade, most new church plants in South Korea remained as small churches of less than one hundred members that are not self-sustaining or growing, because their leaders are heavily dependent upon limited discipleship models of few megachurches that rarely reflect the characteristics of small churches. Since newly planted churches rarely grow in the absence of effective discipleship models that suit their given cultures and geographical locations, their leaders need to be equipped with a biblical framework and applications for establishing discipleship models that aptly respond to the needs of their churches. The purpose of this thesis project …

Flight Lead: The Mission Of A Father And Husband, John Marselus

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Similar to fighter pilot flight leads, the Lord created multiple roles and responsibilities for husbands and fathers to lead their families. Millions of dollars are invested into the training and readiness of a fighter pilot to lead a flight into combat. Flight leads must perform multiple missions to ensure the success of friendly armed forces against their enemy. The multiple roles and responsibilities for husbands and fathers are remarkably similar to the functions a flight lead must execute to successfully complete a mission. This study compares the author’s military experience with scholarly research, Scriptural analysis, quantitative survey, and case study …

Evangelism And Social Concern In The Theology Of Carl F. H. Henry, Jerry Ireland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examines evangelism and social concern in the theology of Carl F. H. Henry. Henry stands not only as the most important figure in the re-awakening of evangelical social concern, but also a leading thinker among Evangelicals on the theological foundations that should guide this movement in its life and practice. Henry, building on the work of Abraham Kuyper (although with some significant differences), sought to recapture the Reformed emphasis on a worldview approach to the Christian faith. Thus, Henry emerges as a key and oddly understudied figure in the re-awakening of evangelical social action. Yet, his balanced approach …

Discipleship Principles And Applications To Help Local Church Pastors To Become Disciple-Makers In South Korea, Dongjin Park

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Every pastor is called to develop disciple-makers to fulfill the mandate of the Great Commission. Korean pastors have been trying to make disciples with many programs, but they have difficulties in making disciples that multiply. This is caused by misunderstanding the meaning of disciple and what disciple-making principles are in the Bible. The purpose of this project is to define the essential nature of a disciple and to research principles and applications for helping local church pastors to develop disciple-makers in South Korea by focusing on Jesus' ministry. The New Testament will be studied to discover principles for discipleship making. …

The Differences In Approaches To Learning Among Kindergartners Who Attended State-Funded Pre-K, Kristin Mobbs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This causal-comparative study examined the differences in early childhood experiences on the critical school readiness domain of approaches to learning. Kindergarten teachers from a small district in northeast Georgia completed the Learning Behaviors Scale to examine the dependent variables of competence motivation, attitude toward learning, attention/persistence, and strategy/flexibility from a convenience sample of 187 kindergarten students. The school district provided archived data that included kindergarten class lists, preschool experiences during the 2012-2013 school year, race, gender, free/reduced lunch status, and elementary school attended for kindergarten in order to examine kindergartners' learning behaviors. Descriptive statistics provided information on the mean differences …

Character Traits In Caldecott Award-Winning Literature From 2002-2012: A Content Analysis, Staci Wagner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined children's books that were honored with the Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book from 2002-2012, in an attempt to analyze examples of character elements in these books. Modeled after two previous dissertations in which Newbery books were analyzed, I used similar methodology to further their research to books honored with the Caldecott Medal. Therefore, content analysis was used to determine the presence of the sample character traits, following the acronym C.H.A.R.A.C.T.E.R., developed by researcher Bryant (2008). These elements included: (a) caring/compassionate, (b) helpfulness, (c) acceptance, (d) respect, (e) ambition, (f) citizenship, (g) trustworthiness, …

The Lived Experiences Of Native Louisiana French Speakers Entering English-Only Elementary Schools In Lower Bayou Lafourche, Jolynda H. Strandberg

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to investigate the lived experiences of native Louisiana French speakers entering English-only elementary schools in lower Bayou Lafourche, Louisiana. Native Louisiana French speakers entering English-only elementary school was defined as those whose home language was Louisiana French prior to entering elementary school. While language attrition for non-English speakers and Louisiana French culture had been explored, the in depth, lived experiences of native Louisiana French speakers entering English elementary schools were unexplored (Blyth, 1997; Ryon, 2002; Sexton, 2000). Understanding how entering English-only schools affects student perceptions and identity was important in determining school …

A Case Study In The Ministry Of Harold Willmington: Seven Major Contributions To Liberty University, Rick Buck

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this thesis project is to provide a qualitative case study regarding the major contributions of Harold Willmington to Liberty University. The project highlights the significant contributions to discipleship and education of non-traditional adult learners within the Liberty University family. The research questions seek to collect data regarding the degree of satisfaction of Bible education and ministry training of post-graduation alumni. The thesis project analyzes the development of the various Bible Institute programs established at Liberty University and other major contributions made by Harold Willmington from 1972 to the present. A significant amount of data is obtained through …

Perceptions Of Effectiveness Of Alternatively And Traditionally Licensed Teachers, Kristi L. Kilby Goodwin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study examined the perceptions of both traditionally and alternatively licensed teachers regarding the effectiveness of their teacher preparation program on creating effective classroom teachers. Sixteen teachers at three Northeast Georgia schools participated in a series of semi-structured interviews over a period of five months. The teachers described perceptions of their teacher preparation route and corresponding effectiveness in the classroom. In addition to the interviews the teachers were asked to complete the Teachers Sense of Efficacy Scale in order to establish a quantitative view of self-efficacy among study participants. The interviews revealed that the most important qualities possessed …

Economically Disadvantaged Students: A Case Study Of Resilient Qualities That Encourage Academic Success, Stephanie Kim Hawkins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This case study examined academically successful economically disadvantaged (ED) students from one intact Caucasian family through parents', students', and teachers' perceptions of the reasons for resilience. The problem is that little research exists exploring qualities of academically successful ED Caucasian students. Because being a high school dropout significantly affects students, families, schools, and society, risk factors were explored; protective factors that help students overcome risk factors were also investigated. This study describes why academically successful ED students from one intact Caucasian family in Tennessee thrive despite risk factors working against them. Findings include the importance of Christian faith to the …

The Impact Of A Caregiver Workshop Regarding Storybook Reading On Pre-Kindergarten Children's Readiness For Reading, Misty Mae Lacour

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined if, by providing caregivers with a workshop regarding effective storybook reading coupled with the receipt of storybooks, Pre-Kindergarten students' emergent literacy development would significantly increase. Pre-Kindergarten children attending two Head Start centers in the Southeastern U.S. participated in the study. Twelve Pre-Kindergarten children comprised the experimental group while ten Pre-Kindergarten children were subjects of the control group. The BRIGANCE CIBS-R Readiness for Reading assessment was used to determine the emergent literacy development of the subjects. The ANCOVA statistical method indicated no significant gain between the experimental group and the control group. A paired samples t-test revealed a …

A Strategy Of The Worship Renewal For The Korean Church In Postmodern Times, Yoojung Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project examines the worship in Korean churches in the postmodern era, and presents the most suitable worship model for the congregation. The Korean church is acknowledged for accomplishing one of the greatest church growths within the shortest period of time. Currently they are going through a transitional era of crisis and chaos. The worship field has not changed enough, since Christianity was introduced to this country one hundred years ago. Instead, they have had conflict between traditional and contemporary styles, unable to find the right solution. This project studied specific suggestions for implementing a strategic task, along with field …

Factors That Motivate A Man To Become And Remain The Senior Pastor Of A Local Church, David John Leblanc

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project evolved from the question, "What motivates a man to become, and remain, a pastor?" The hypothesis was that a man, called of God into the ministry, would not be primarily motivated in his work by secular or external motivators and factors; but by internal or spiritual factors. An opinion poll of 125 Master of Divinity graduates of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary reflected the thesis and illustrated the problem. The author has concluded that a pastor should give attention to his spiritual development and constant reinforcement of the call of God in his life. The results of this project …

An Analysis Of Evangelical Revivals With Suggestions For Encouraging And Maximizing The Effects Of An Outpouring Of The Holy Spirit In Evangelism, James Douglas Porter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this thesis project is to analyze the relationship between revival and evangelism in the context of the outpouring of the Holy spirit and suggest strategies by which revivals may be encouraged and the energy of revival may be harnessed in the evangelism of large numbers of people.

The thesis project is composed of two parts. The first part surveys an evangelical theology of revival and evangelism. Here the author surveys biblical and historical data relevant to the subject. He then defines or describes; (1) revival, (2) evangelism, (3) personal conversion, (4) people movements, (5) the relationship between …