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The Influence of IFBB Pro Designation on Consumer Decision-Making in Online Personal Training Services: An Experimental Investigation
Full text linkThe recent rising health awareness, social media occurrence, and digital access to fitness services promote the growth of online personal training. Drawing upon signaling theory, a recent rising group of trainers, “IFBB Pro” athletes, who are perceived as elite bodybuilders, often signal a high level of expertise and competency in fitness training. With content marketing as the background, posted content plays a key role in this process as social media platforms become increasingly popular for fitness professionals to market their personal training services and attract clients. However, scarce research exists to investigate how this designation influences consumer perceptions and purchase intentions under the effect of posted content. This research, with two experimental studies included, examined how the IFBB Pro designation affects consumers\u27 perceived competence of trainers and purchase intentions, with the posted content moderating this effect. Results showed that the designation enhanced perceived competence and further increased the likelihood of service purchase, particularly when fitness-related contents were applied
The Efficacy of an In-Vivo Chaining Procedure Compared to POV-VM Chaining Procedure to Teach a Task to Children with Autism
Full text linkAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder which includes symptoms such as repetitive or restricted patterns of behavior, and deficits in social communication (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) and affects approximately 1 in 36 children aged 8 and older (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). Children with this disorder face unique challenges when it come to learning academic and social skills (Gardner & Wolfe, 2013). Chaining is an effective intervention for teaching individuals with disabilities a variety of skills (Cuvo et al., 1978; Horner & Keilitz, 1975; Shrestha et al., 2013; Tarbox, et al., 2009). Video modeling, where a subject performs a behavior they have previously seen modeled on a videotape (Nikopoulos & Keenan, 2004 and more recently point-of-view video modeling (POV-VM) which provides the instruction from the subject\u27s vantage point may also be effective for teaching children with autism and other disabilities needed skills (Shukla-Mehta et al., 2010). There is some empirical evidence that chaining used in conjunction with POV-VM may provide effective intervention (Jewett, et al., 2012; Moore, et al., 2013; Shrestha, et al., 2013) yet no studies have directly compared a chaining procedure taught by traditional methods to a chaining procedure which is exclusively taught through the use of POV-VM
Voices from the Frontline: School Leaders on Effective Communication
Full text linkThis qualitative cross-case study aimed to explore effective communication in suburban and urban schools. The study investigated K-12 leaders\u27 perceptions of effective communication with parents in suburban and urban school districts. Three open-ended questions guided the research: 1) What are principals’ perceptions of effective communication with parents?, 2) What are principals’ perceptions of effective strategies of school-home communication?, and 3) What are the barriers that may obstruct effective communication between principals and families? This cross-case study is unique as it focused on school leaders\u27 perspectives to define effective communication. Strategies, methods, and barriers were identified by participant school leaders. The findings of this study resulted in four primary themes: the definition of effective communication, strategies of effective communication, methods and ways of effective communication, and barriers to effective communication. These themes provide valuable insights that can be applied to professional practice by k-12 school leaders
Relational Spiritual Knowing as an Educator of Color: Navigating Predominantly White Educational Settings
Full text linkAbstract: This article explores the critical role of Relational Spiritual Knowing (RSK) as both a source of strength and a form of activism for African American educators navigating Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). Through personal reflections and scholarly correlations, it examines how RSK empowers educators to assert their voices and identities in environments that have historically marginalized them. The integration of RSK into educational practices is presented as essential for creating more inclusive, equitable, and spiritually enriched academic spaces. The article also highlights the systemic challenges faced by African American educators, such as power dynamics, microaggressions, and tokenism, and how RSK can serve as a powerful framework for resilience and activism. The discussion extends to personal and professional recommendations for incorporating RSK into teacher education programs, and the need for stronger institutional support within PWIs. The conclusion calls for a collective commitment to recognizing and supporting the spiritual needs of African American educators as a fundamental aspect of promoting equity and inclusion. The potential of RSK to transform educational environments and foster deeper, more meaningful connections among culturally diverse individuals is emphasized, offering a vision of a future where every educator\u27s voice is heard, valued, and celebrated
Instructional Leader Partnerships: Superintendent Impact
Full text linkThis study investigates the impact of Instructional Leader Partnerships (ILPs) on superintendent leadership practices and their influence on school improvement. Recognizing the significant role of effective leadership in student achievement, this project explored the effects of pairing superintendents with thought partners within a regional educational service district. The study aimed to improve district and school leadership by focusing on superintendent practices that drive principal effectiveness, teacher performance, and student learning.
This research builds upon prior work highlighting the importance of job-embedded professional learning for building leaders and the need for central office support in developing instructional leadership capacity. The study explored the following research questions: 1) How to increase leader capacity for cohesive and collaborative leadership in support of improving teaching and learning for all? 2) How do superintendents influence the improvement of instruction? 3) What impact does leadership coaching/thought partnering have on superintendents\u27 practices? 4) What are the behaviors that validate/invalidate the work of instructional leadership?
Utilizing a case study design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews using the Concern-Based Adoption Model (CBAM), as other relevant artifacts. Findings revealed that the ILPs significantly influenced superintendent practices, promoting a shift towards collaborative leadership, data-driven decision-making, and a focus on instructional improvement. The study highlights the value of dedicated thought partners in addressing the inherent isolation of the superintendent role and fostering reflective practice. The results offer insights into effective strategies for cultivating leadership capacity at the district level and its subsequent impact on school-level leadership, teacher effectiveness, and student learning
Language Teaching in Palestine: Leveraging Cultural Sustainability through a Video Project
Full text linkIn recognition of the ways learners need to see themselves present within their curricula, and in response to the ongoing opportunity to leverage digital media, through this paper, we describe the creation, implementation, and refinement of a video project, included across multiple English language courses at Bethlehem University in the West Bank of Palestine. With cultural sustainability at the center, through qualitative methodology (Maxwell, 2013), and calling specifically upon sociocultural theory (Bakhtin, 1984) as well as figured worlds (Holland et al., 1998), we offer perspectives informed by a range of life experiences and standpoints. This study of what students and faculty learned, experienced, and discovered through video project is informed by socio-cultural theory (Bakhtin, 1984; Freire, 2017), in which learners translate, interpret, and reflect on cross-cultural and intercultural communication (Scollon et al., 2012). After discussing the benefits and drawbacks of having students present work “live” in class, we trace the genesis of the video project itself, and through examples of student videos, describe insights gained from engaging in this collaborative work. We conclude with recommendations for further strengthening and refining of this type of project, and leave listeners with ideas to consider that may be of benefit at their institutions
Book Review: Basketball Beyond Paper
Full text linkDean Oliver’s Basketball Beyond Paper is a thoughtful and in-depth follow-up to his paradigm-shifting work in 2004, Basketball on Paper. Twenty years after Basketball on Paper laid the groundwork for possession-based efficiency metrics, Oliver returns with a deeper focus: incorporating the human side of the game. Rather than simply refining statistical models, Oliver argues that understanding motivation, emotional ups and downs, distractions, and team dynamics is just as critical to winning as traditional data analysis. Written with a direct and technical style, Oliver not only advocates for the importance of analytics in the transformation of how basketball is played, but also does so with engaging storytelling utilizing real-world examples. Basketball Beyond Paper offers a clear expansion of the field while remaining grounded in high-level practical basketball experience
Book Review: Winters of Discontent
No full textEditor Russell Field, through Winters of Discontent: The Winter Olympics and a Half Century of Protest and Resistance, offers the first focused academic inquiry into the myriad ways that individuals, organizations, and communities have resisted these sport mega-events. More specifically, each chapter contributor “chronicles the ways in which the issues raised by anti-Olympic advocates have increasingly become part of a mainstream discourse” (Field, 2025, p. 5). Various core themes run through the book including concern over public spending amid rising neoliberalism, the contested relationship between Indigenous self-determination and settler colonial domination, balancing local community priorities against the backdrop of Games-related development, growing civic discontent with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and fighting to maintain protections for environmentally significant lands (e.g., national parks)—all occurring within “the context of a rapidly deteriorating climate” (Field, 2025, p. 5). The quality, clarity, and criticality of these conversations mean this book will be of interest to a wide range of readers including sports enthusiasts and those interested in protest, resistance, environmentalism, politics, economics, Indigenous rights and self-determination, and social justice
The effect of biosolid/soil composition on growth and uptake of zinc (Zn) by broccoli (Brassica oleracea var.) under greenhouse conditions
No full textWastewater sludge (also known as biosolids) is commonly applied to agricultural and forestry land, offering the advantage of recycling nutrients and organic matter from the waste material back to the land. This study investigated the influence of biosolids on the uptake of Zn by broccoli (Brassica oleracea var.), a commonly consumed vegetable, grown in biosolid-amended soil compositions, by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). Broccoli was grown in soil amended with composted wastewater sludge at five different compositions (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% wt/wt) treated with 100 ppm Zn at the beginning. Brassica oleracea var. (broccoli) plants from pot experiments were harvested after 30 days and Zn concentrations in plant parts (root, stem, and leaf) were analyzed by using flame atomic absorption (FAA) spectroscopy. Harvested biomass increased by 141–454% in comparison to the control (zero% wt/wt biosolid). The best growth was apparent at 25% (w/w)–75% (biosolid wt/wt), with Zn concentrations in plant parts found in the order [Zn]root \u3e [Zn]shoot \u3e [Zn]leaf. SEM/EDX and FTIR spectral data show the presence of carboxyl functional groups that can bind Zn. The investigation shows that biosolids influence the yield and root-to-shoot-leaf transfer of Zn