Author Archives: Melissa D Atkinson
Sixth Week PhD: I Love Deadlines…
…I love the whooshing sound they make as they go by (attributed to Douglas Adams). This week was almost all spent on writing my first doctoral paper for the Christian Worldview for Educators class. We also had to submit a 12-15 PowerPoint slide presentation to go with the paper. We were tasked with choosing a critical issue in our field (Distance Education) and applying ideas from our textbooks to this critical issue (at least 7 sources total, we could use the Bible, but was not part of our Reference List, plus a video for the Powerpoint). My title is “The Effects of Social Media on Pedagogy in Online Learning.” I didn’t procrastinate, exactly. In graduate school, working on my Master’s degree, there were plenty of times I started a paper the day before it was due. Most of the time, it works for me. However, this time, I researched my topic a few weeks in advance of sending the topic to my professor. After my professor approved my topic, I researched some more. Then I went to Las Vegas, presented a poster (you can view that here as a PDF if you want: http://www.tagmydoc.com/dl/24jVS5/gmAN), had a vacation in Las Vegas with my hubby, and then went to Virginia for residency. I probably should have worked on my paper a little bit at a time during all those places. After staying up until 3am to submit paper and PowerPoint, I will think a little more ahead of time for my next paper (due August 6).
Perhaps it is wise to follow in the footsteps of God, who sent his Son at just the right time (Galatians 4:4). He planned for Jesus to come to earth to put aside the old law and establish a new one. He must have carefully planned it, researched it, made notes, referenced his own work, learned from his previous writings, and then sent us Jesus–exactly when we needed him. So I should plan accordingly so that my papers will be sent at just the right time.
Blessings to you and yours.
Fifth Week PhD: I Survived My First Residency
I am moving right along after my fifth week in my first course of my doctoral program. Starting on Monday this week was my first of three residencies at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va. It is a beautiful campus about 20 minutes from the beach. I didn’t get to go to the beach this time, but I did meet my current professor face-to-face (Hi Dr. Finn!), and I met many of the professors I will have in the future. I met many of my classmates with whom I have been talking online. On the first day we met in our individual cognate groups–mine was composed of three different cognates–Distance Education, Higher Education, and Higher Education Leadership Management. We were divided into groups and were tasked with researching a topic and presenting on that topic this morning (Thursday). All of my group happened to be from the Distance Education cognate–Fred, Julie, and Jose. We chose the topic, “Faculty and Digital Media Literacy: Tools, Challenges, Barriers, and Solutions.” My first presentation as a doctoral student went smoothly with help from my wonderful classmates!
During the week, we received encouragement and truth about what it will take to successfully complete this program–time. I met some second year and third year residency students who were also encouraging and honest about what it takes to get through this program. After this week, I know I am supposed to be here. I know what it will take. I am prepared. I can do it!
Fourth Week PhD: Virkler and Vegas
I’ve made it through my fourth week of my first doctoral course. What does Virkler, my assigned reading, and Vegas have to do with each other? Well, while I have been in Las Vegas for a conference this week, I have also been doing my course work. For the most part it hasn’t been too difficult to do these things together, far from home. It has made for some later nights than I had intended.
The conference (American Library Association), which is my first attendance of said conference, has been super wonderful and helpful to bring back and practice in my work. I’ve learned that I am a twitter addict, introverts have quiet influence, unconferences can be successful, Alexander McCall Smith is just as witty and charming as his books, Las Vegas is hot in June, conference wifi is not all its cracked up to be, and one Starbucks for 10,000+ librarians is just.not.enough! Also Donny & Marie!
In any case, our textbook for this week included Henry A. Virkler’s “A Christian’s Guide to Critical Thinking.” The first three chapters deal with hermeneutics–“principles used to properly interpret someone else’s communication” (p. 19). While I won’t go into everything Virkler has to say about interpreting scripture, I will say that even though there are principles to follow when interpreting scripture, humans have managed to still be divided when it comes to certain passages or doctrines described in the Bible. I don’t think it was God’s intention to have his church divided into so many denominations. However, we are humans and are imperfect, so the fact that there are so many ways of interpreting scripture is not surprising to me. I think the Holy Spirit can discern who is a follower of Jesus and who is not. We are all his body and can agree that Jesus came to die for us so that we might live.
Blessings to you and yours.
Third Week: PhD To Everyone An Answer
It is my third week of my first course as a doctoral student. Yay me! This week our discussion was on two chapters of a book titled, “Foundational Issues in Christian Education: An Introduction in Evangelical Perspective” by Robert Pazmino and four chapters of a book titled, “To Everyone An Answer: A Case for the Christian Worldview” edited by Francis Beckwith, William Craig, and J.P. Moreland. The latter book is not specifically about education although you can apply it to that. This book is about apologetics. Apologetics is to defend one’s faith in order to bring people to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Out of the two books, I enjoyed reading this one. It flowed better and was easier to understand. This book happens to be a collection of essays in honor of Norman L. Geisler, an expert in Christian apologetics.
One of the most interesting sections focused on the relationship between Jesus and his family. During Jesus’ time, the society was patriarchal. Women did not take leadership roles and were not the center of the culture. Jesus changed all that when he spoke to women. Even some of his followers were women. Jesus also changed the definition of family when he said, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:48-50, NIV). Jesus was known to befriend known “sinners” and forgive their sins. He welcomed them as family. We must remember that even if we have a loving family, there are some in the world who do not. There are some who do leave their mother, father, sisters, and brothers for Christ. Our definition of family needs to be bigger than we suppose it to be, just as it was to Jesus. Blessings to you and yours.
Second Week PhD: Creeds and Foundations
Another week down and 100 more to go (or so)! This week one of our discussions focused on observations of the Apostles’ Creed or the Nicene Creed. I was not familiar with either one, so I chose the Apostles’ Creed. The text of the creed is here:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, I believe in the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
It is a nice creed. If one were to commit to this creed, a belief in God, the Father, Jesus his son, and the Holy Spirit would be necessary. This creed focuses on God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. If one were not raised in the catholic church (like me), then one might have a problem with the phrase “I believe in the holy catholic church.” However, after reading it several times, I have come to the conclusion that whatever the intentions were of the original author(s), I believe that the phrases “holy catholic church” and “communion of saints” are referring to a unified church–a people that profess God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit as one. A people that are committed to believing in a creator, his son, and the power of the Holy Spirit. A spirit of unity is what God wants from us. Psalm 133:1 “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
Blessings to you and yours.
First Week: PhD
My first week of my first course has been interesting. Distance learning is not what is was back in 1998 when I started my Master’s degree through a distance learning program. Technology has come a long way, although I miss seeing my classmates, or having classmates that I can see on a weekly basis.
Our first assignment of my doctoral program (Christian Worldview for Educators) was to discuss what we thought were the main themes of the Gospel of Luke and how this gospel showed Jesus as a person. In Luke 19:10 it says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (NIV). Isn’t that the main theme of the whole Bible? Saving the lost, saving the sinners, saving everyone. Jesus was compassionate, forgiving, and sometimes humorous. Luke shows Jesus as a healer. He healed a lot of people. He also taught. A lot. As teachers (and everyone is one), we need to have compassion on students, parents, bus drivers, lunch ladies, other teachers, and anyone else who we meet on a daily basis. Isn’t that how a Christian Educator is different than others. Or an educator who is Christian. Either way, be compassionate as Jesus was compassionate. Blessings to you and yours.
Dawn of Knowledge 