Improve Student Understanding of Amortized Loans

Amortized loans, such as mortgages and auto loans, are common real-world examples introduced in the first finance college course. Many students mistakenly believe that the monthly payments on an amortized loan should be larger than the monthly equivalent of the annual payments (the annual payment divided by 12) of the same loan. This paper mathematically demonstrates that the monthly payments must, in fact, be smaller than this monthly equivalent. Also, the paper shows a loanee does pay more interest with monthly payments. Furthermore, this paper presents an alternative approach to treat amortized loan payments as investment or an opportunity cost, thus improving student understanding of amortized loans and financial decision-making

Perceived Trust and Perceived Value’s Influence on Consumers’ Purchase Intention in Otome Games

Otome games, targeting female audiences through romantic narratives, have gained prominence in China, exemplified by titles like Love and Deepspace that generate substantial revenues. Despite their commercial success, research on consumer behavior in this niche market remains limited, particularly regarding factors influencing purchase intentions for digital and physical products. This study addresses this gap by examining how perceived value and perceived trust shape purchase intentions. Using a quantitative approach, the researchers collected data from Otome game players via questionnaires and analyzed it using SPSS. Results demonstrate that perceived value exerts a significant positive influence on purchase intentions for both product categories, whereas perceived trust shows no statistically meaningful impact. These findings indicate that Otome game consumers prioritize experiential value over trust-based considerations when making purchasing decisions. The study contributes to the understanding of female-centric gaming markets by highlighting perceived value’s critical role in driving consumer behavior. Practically, it recommends that game developers concentrate on enhancing value-driven elements, such as narrative depth, character development, and exclusive content, to stimulate sales, rather than allocating resources to trust-building mechanisms

Review of the Role of Leadership in Promoting Change in Education

This paper reviews the role of school leadership in promoting change in education, with a particular focus on developing and supporting professional learning and teacher development. The study examines how the "below" and "above" forces are brought together to make an effective and lasting force to generate and sustain change. The study approach used for this research is a literature review project. Reliable scholarly articles and various books in the field of education have been studied. The findings of study conclude that the role of school leadership in developing organic leadership that combines a "change from below" approach with "support from above" is of utmost importance to help teachers demonstrate collective and shared responsibility for their students’ learning outcomes. It also discovers that the constructive interdependence of school leaders and teachers can potentially develop skilled learning communities to sustain the change. This poses a test for policy-makers and school leaders to make the environments conducive enough within which organic leadership can be nurtured

Effectiveness of AI-Driven Public Relations Strategies in Advancing Sustainable Development Initiatives: “A Case Study of Leading Organizations in the United Arab Emirates”

The study investigated the level of implementation of “AI-powered public relations strategies” and determined the reality of sustainable development initiatives in the UAE leading organizations. It sought to verify the effect of AI-powered public relations strategies on promoting sustainable development initiatives. The study was based on the descriptive approach. A questionnaire was distributed to 230 workers chosen from leading organizations in the United Arab Emirates. The results revealed that using AI-driven public relations strategies and adopting sustainable development initiatives yielded high response scores. In addition, “AI-powered public relations strategies” had a statistically significant impact on promoting sustainable development initiatives. The study recommended providing public relations professionals with training courses on artificial intelligence methods that maximize the success of sustainable projects. In addition, it is recommended to use AI to assess audience trends, which contributes to uncovering sustainability-related issues, identifying business prospects, and guiding quality communication plans

Predictors of Social Media Advertisement Appeals and Consumers’ Buying Behavior of a Fast-Food Chain Company

The fast-food industry has faced stiff competition due to the mushrooming of various brands. Thus, marketers have to think of various promotional activities to attract consumers, and one of the strategies will be through the use of social media advertisement appeals. However, past studies mainly focused on rational and emotional appeals, and other advertisement appeals have received little attention. Thus, this study aimed to investigate a fast-food company's social media advertisement by focusing on the two main appeals, namely rational and emotional, and extended two additional appeals which are endorsement and aesthetic appeals. The study utilized the stimulus-response model as a theoretical framework and explained the relationships. The study applied quantitative methods and gained 168 valid responses via the purposive sampling technique. The results indicated that all four advertisement appeals (emotional, rational, endorsement, and aesthetic) are predictors of buying behavior, with emotional appeal as the most prominent appeal. The study urged that fast-food companies should pay attention to the provision of factual information, celebrity endorsements, and innovative aesthetic design to persuade consumers cognitively. Conclusion, implications, and future research avenues were discussed

Strategic Communication for Financial Inclusion and Economic Empowerment in Developing Countries

Financial inclusion is a critical tool for fostering sustainable economic development, especially in developing economies where access to formal financial services is often limited. This study explores the role of strategic communication in promoting financial inclusion and economic empowerment in these regions. Using desktop research, the study analyses a range of qualitative literature sources, including high-quality articles and case studies, to understand how financial institutions employ communication strategies to enhance awareness and participation in financial services. The key findings indicate that strategic communication, particularly through digital platforms, mobile services, and community outreach, plays a significant role in improving financial literacy and overcoming barriers such as cultural resistance and limited technological access. Additionally, the study finds that localised communication campaigns and the engagement of trusted community members are essential for fostering trust and encouraging the adoption of financial services. Based on these findings, the study recommends that financial institutions invest in financial literacy programmes that simplify complex financial concepts, particularly for underserved communities, and leverage mobile technologies to improve accessibility, especially in rural areas

Toward an Accessible Media Technology for the Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh

Media technologies have become an integral aspect of everyday life, and their accessibility is equally crucial for individuals with disabilities. Media technologies have the potential to significantly enhance access to information for people with disabilities by addressing their diverse needs. Given that individuals with disabilities encounter various physical barriers, they require multiple accessibility features to effectively engage with and comprehend media content. This study examines the challenges and inaccessibility of media technologies in disseminating essential information, focusing on individuals with disabilities in the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh as a case study. The Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, hosts approximately one million stateless refugees who depend entirely on humanitarian aid. To facilitate crisis response, the Shongjog platform was created, with BBC Media Action producing media resources such as videos, audio dramas, and posters. However, these materials lack accessibility features, failing to effectively serve refugees with disabilities. This study critically examines the underlying assumptions and ableist logic embedded in the media resources and tools available on the Shongjog platform. By analyzing the technological tools developed by BBC Media Action, we argue that people with disabilities are systematically excluded and marginalized, even within humanitarian aid frameworks designed for inclusivity. More specifically, we contend that biometric registration, promoted as a humanitarian technological solution, functions as a disabling mechanism that restricts access to essential services and broader opportunities for refugees with disabilities. Through this analysis, the paper highlights the intersection of humanitarian aid, technology, and disability, calling for a more inclusive approach to crisis communication and refugee support

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Education and Training Studies, Vol. 13, No. 4

Journal of Education and Training Studies (JETS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether JETS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 13, Number 4 Ahmadreza Mohebbi, University of Auckland, New ZealandAnoma Samanthi Perera, Australian College of Business and Technology, Sri LankaArdalan Kaveh, Islamic Azad University, IranIntakhab Khan, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi ArabiaJacinthe Rihan, Ain Shams University, EgyptJane Liang, California Department of Education, USAJoel Maligaya Cuadra, NU Laguna, PhilippinesJohn Cowan, Edinburgh Napier University, UKJulio Cesar André, Center for Studies and Development of Health Education-CEDES, BrazilKendall Hartley, University of Nevada, USALeila Youssef, Arab Open University, LebanonLinda J. Rappel, Yorkville University/University of Calgary, CanadaMustafa Çakır, Marmara University, TurkeyRichard Penny, University of Washington Bothell, USA Robert SmithEditorial AssistantOn behalf of, The Editorial Board of Journal of Education and Training StudiesRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAE-mail: [email protected]: http://jets.redfame.co

Association of Emotional Intelligence, Workplace Stress, and Burnout in Behavior Analysts

Increasing job demands for board-certified behavior analysts (BCBA) put them at risk of stress and burnout. In other fields of allied health, emotional intelligence (EI) has been shown to be a protective factor that mitigates stress and burnout. However, the influence of EI on these adverse outcomes had not been examined in BCBAs. The purpose of this quantitative, associational study was to investigate the relationships between EI, workplace stress, and burnout in BCBAs. The theoretical framework for this study was based on Goleman’s (1995) theory of EI. A research survey adapting three scales—the TEIQue-SF (Petrides, 2023), Workplace Stress Scale (The Marlin Company and the American Institute of Stress, 2023), and the Burnout Measure, Short instruments (Malach-Pines, 2005)—were used to collect data on participants’ EI, workplace stress and burnout levels, demographic information was collected on professional roles, years of experience as a BCBA, age, gender, and race. Survey data for 45 participants were collected from Qualtrics and underwent descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses. The results showed that BCBAs were adversely affected by both workplace stress and burnout. EI scores in BCBAs were not significantly associated with workplace stress or burnout. Workplace stress levels for novice BCBAs were higher than for BCBAs with more experience. The authors offer recommendations to address burnout early through proactive education and training that helps practitioners develop strategies to cope with the demands of the job

Investigating the Elements of Short Commercial Mineral Water Advertisement: A Case on Discourse Analysis

This study aimed to analyze the discourse in commercial mineral water advertisements, focusing on linguistic structures, communication strategies, and persuasive techniques. This research explores how advertisements use language and visual elements to attract consumer attention and persuade them to purchase a product. Advertising is a crucial marketing tool that shapes consumer perception through discourse. Commercial advertisements, including bottled mineral water advertisements, strategically use linguistic and visual features to enhance persuasion. This study examined a well-known Indonesian bottled mineral water advertisement to understand its discourse structure, language use, and persuasive strategies. This study adopted a qualitative descriptive approach using a discourse analysis method. Data were collected from television, YouTube, and TikTok advertisements focusing on transcripts and visual elements. This study applies Bolen’s (1984) discourse structure model, Chomsky’s (1957) linguistic theory, and Aristotle’s persuasion principles (ethos, pathos, and logos) to analyze advertising strategies. The findings revealed that the advertisement consists of three key sections: title, body, and closing. The title attracts attention with an emotional appeal, the body highlights product benefits, and the closing reinforces the brand message using a soft-selling approach. The advertisement employs casual and persuasive language using repetition, contractions, and emotional words. The primary persuasive technique relies on logos, emphasizing the product’s health benefits while also incorporating pathos to evoke emotions. This study concludes that effective advertisements combine structured discourse, persuasive language, and visual elements to shape consumer behavior. These findings suggest that discourse analysis is a valuable tool for understanding advertising strategies. Future research could compare different brands and examine the psychological effects of advertising discourses on consumers