Mental Models: An Interdisciplinary Theory in Teaching and Learning

Mind models are individualized internal images of external reality used by individuals to communicate with their environment. They are built by people on the basis of their unique experiences and views of the world. Mental models are utilized to reason and to decide and may form the foundation of any behavior. They offer the mechanism for filtering and storing new information. A major element of successful natural resource management practice (NRM) is now regarded to recognize and deal with the diversity of views, beliefs and objectives of stakeholders. Therefore, we will create methods to improve the efficient management and use of natural resources, obtaining a deeper knowledge of how intellectual models reflect complicated dynamic systems internally and how these representations evolve over time. However, the realization of this promise requires the development and testing of sufficient tools and methods to successfully generate these internal representations of the environment. The article presents an interdisciplinary literature synthesis which contributes to the theoretical and practical development of the construction of a mental model. It examines the usefulness and application of the structure in the context of the NRM and includes a discussion of methods employed in the area of elicitation. In relying on the building to give a cognitive component to NRM, significant theoretical and practical difficulties are also addressed

Exploring Online Shopping Trends and Customer Experiences in the Digital Age

Digital commerce, commonly known as e-commerce, refers to the buying and selling of products and services via online channels. This process occurs through digital platforms and computer networks, primarily utilizing the Internet. It includes a diverse array of technologies, such as mobile commerce, electronic payment systems, supply chain logistics, web-based marketing, online transaction processing, electronic data interchange (EDI), inventory control systems, and automated data gathering tools. Contemporary e-commerce usually incorporates the World Wide Web at some point during the transaction process. Additionally, it integrates various other technologies, including email, mobile apps, social media networks, and telecommunications tools

Importance of Effective Branding in Social Marketing

The twenty-first century has provided organizations and individuals with many possibilities, also altered the manner in which companies and their consumers interact. Social marketing is a strategy for creating activities that seek to change or sustain people\u27s behavior for the benefit of both individuals and society as a whole. Consumers will create good word of mouth in online communities and increase brand loyalty if a business is effective in establishing a customer-brand connection. With the assistance of successful social marketing companies, the function and significance of branding in social marketing is discussed in this article

Resilience by Sindhi Protagonists in Tryst with Koki

Tryst with Koki by Sindhi academic Subhadra Anand can be deemed partition literature/historical fiction which focuses on the resilience shown by an 18-year-old Sindhi protagonist called Sheila in the pre and post partitioning of the Indian subcontinent. In this study, we describe the demonstration and growth of her resilience and that of her brother Suresh in the face of the numerous setbacks they encountered. The characteristics of what makes for this resilience are said to be the characteristics of the Sindhi community. The author uses metaphors and similes to portray how fear and lack of confidence is overcome by love and care for others - both family and community and results in resilience

Influence of TV Food Advertising on Tanzanian Children Food Preference: A Case of Mahina and Alliance Schools

A study was conducted to examine the effect of television commercials promoting food on children\u27s eating habits in Tanzania. The study specifically determined the extent at which children are exposed to TV food advertisement, identified the types of foods children prefer after exposure to TV food advertisements and examined what are parents’ perception regarding the influence of television food advertisements on children food choices. The study was conducted at Mahina and Alliance primary schools within Nyamagana District in Mwanza, Tanzania. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to collect data including questionnaires and focus group discussions. The findings obtained from a total of 184 respondents (parents), while 60 children participated in  focus group discussions.   Findings revealed that more than 50% of Mahina and Alliance primary school pupils are highly exposed to TV food advertisements. There was consensus among all respondents that television food advertisements significantly impact children\u27s food preferences, with the majority of children being prompted to ask for these products. Furthermore, the findings showed that 45% of the participants thought that they have a detrimental effect as they can lead to obesity in some children. In contrast, 45% of the remaining respondents reported that television food advertisements positively influence kids to develop a taste for food and enable parents to find new food items. The study\u27s results revealed that all participants shared a consensus, the more children watch TV commercials for food, the greater their desire will be for products featured in these commercials, as commercials aimed at children frequently employ tactics and gimmicks to sway their preferences towards unhealthy foods showcased on television programmes. As a result, this study recommends that national health organisations, such as the Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC), implement public awareness campaigns to promote healthy eating habits among children

Effect of different types of nutrient media in growth performance of Chilli (Capsicum annuum l.) seedlings in Doti district

Chilli (Capsicum annum L.) is a vegetable cum spices crop belonging to the Solanaceae family. The goal of this study was to explore how different forms of nutritional media affected the growth and health of chili seedlings. This research was carried out for 45 days in an open poly-house at "Hariyali Tarkari Tatha Tasupancchi Farm", Silgadhi, Doti. The research study employed an RCBD ( Randomized Complete Block Design ) with three replications and seven treatments. The nutrients media (treatments) used were, T1 (control), T2 (cocopeat), T3 (vermicompost), T4 (cocopeat + vermicompost), T5 (vermicompost + FYM), T6 (cocopeat + FYM) and T7 (cocopeat + vermicompost + FYM). Seedlings were planted in portrays. The data were analyzed using ANOVA in R-studio software, followed by an LSD test to separate the means. The analysis revealed significant differences among the treatments, with the highest plant height (6.2 cm), number of leaves (5.8), fresh weight (0.498 g), and dry weight (0.225 g) observed in T5 (vermicompost + FYM). Notably, plant height in T1 was 5.82 cm, the number of leaves in T5 was 5.87, and fresh weight in T3 was 0.498 g, all of which differed from the control treatment (T1). Furthermore, the earliest germination was observed 11 days after sowing, with T5 exhibiting the highest germination percentage (97.33%), closely followed by T7 (96.67%). These findings underscore that the combination of vermicompost and FYM in T5 significantly outperforms other treatments in promoting the growth and health of chili seedlings. Consequently, we recommend T5 (vermicompost + FYM) as the optimal nutrient medium for cultivating chili seedlings.

A Study on Diet Consciousness of IT Employees

Diet denotes the aggregate of food consumed by a living organism for gaining energy needed for executing the routine activities of life. Diet involves the intake of adequate nutrition which may be oriented towards gaining good health or for managing weight. Human dieting is driven by taste preferences, health consciousness or ethical beliefs. Usually, human beings prefer to take balanced and healthy diet. People in developed nations enjoy the privilege of having adequate wealth to ensure that they get access to healthy diet without any constraint. Limited consumption of processed meat, hot and soft drinks and intake of food originating from plants is healthier. This descriptive study has endeavored to assess the diet consciousness of IT employees in Chennai & Puducherry and the association of such diet consciousness with their nature of weekend food, opinion about outside food, skipping the usual meal pattern and consuming nutritious food. Results reveal that quite a large number of IT employees skip breakfast and prefer home prepared food even during weekends. Green and vegetables are consumed to a better extent than dairy products, eggs, meat and fish by the respondents who enjoy only average level of family support on grounds of them complementing their healthy diet and making them feeling guilty for not consuming healthy diet. Finally, outside food has been rated average by the IT employees on grounds of price, hygiene and quality while they have appreciated its taste

Using Novels as Pedagogical Tools for Teaching Cross-Cultural Competence to English Language Students: Focus on Speech Acts

This study discusses the importance of developing cross-cultural competence among students of English language. It is argued that novels written in different contexts can be used as pedagogical material to teach students how the use of speech acts vary from one cultural context to another cultural context. Understanding this difference can help encourage mutual understanding and mutual respect between interlocutors coming from different cultural contexts. Data collected through purposive sampling from novels written in a range of contexts were qualitatively analysed to demonstrate how cross-cultural competence can be developed among students of English using culturally appropriate literary dialogues as pedagogical tools. It is suggested that dialogue-based language input of speech acts taken from novels can help students of English understand the importance of socio-cultural context in which speech acts are embedded.

Scrutinizing Religious Fundamentalism of Post 9/11 Scenario in The Blind Man’s Garden By Aslam

This study analyzes Aslam’s novel The Blind Man’s Garden. It generally depicts post 9/11 scenario in which people suffer from identity crisis, trauma and religious fundamentalism. This study investigates the outcomes of religious fundamentalism in post 9/11 scenario of Pakistan. The research is designed descriptively. It follows the research method of Textual Analysis. The data are textual and collected from the novel. The gathered textual data are analyzed to answer the research question that what are the factors of post/911 religious fundamentalism and how the society suffers from them. The textual analysis is done with the theoretical framework of Religious Fundamentalism generated after reviewing previous literature. The findings of this study reveal that religiously fundamentalist people strict people, women, children and deprive them of their desired life. Youth is misguided and prepared for jihad in the name of God. Women are restricted as per their law. This ideology imposes misinterpreted laws and creates a dystopian society where no one is free to live according to their own conduct

Challenges and Prospects of Women\u27s Political Empowerment in Jammu and Kashmir: A Critical Examination and Call to Action

This study critically explores the issue of women\u27s political empowerment in Jammu and Kashmir, India, emphasizing the historical exclusion of women from political structures and the complex factors hindering their effective participation. It highlights the consequences of financial independence for women\u27s dignity, particularly in regions like Jammu and Kashmir where unemployment and widowhood are prevalent. The manuscript identifies barriers to women\u27s empowerment, including limited decision-making power and cultural norms. Despite efforts, women\u27s political participation remains largely rhetorical, with few female leaders gaining prominence. It calls for collective action to address gender disparity, stressing the urgency of women\u27s empowerment for societal progress. The manuscript advocates for inclusive practices and systemic changes to ensure genuine empowerment and a more equitable political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir and beyond