Ο χαρακτήρας και ο σκοπός του Μαθήματος των Θρησκευτικών: Έρευνα για τις Αντιλήψεις των Θεολόγων Εκπαιδευτικών της ελληνικής Δευτεροβάθμιας Εκπαίδευσης

Σκοπός της παρούσας διπλωματικής διατριβής είναι να διερευνηθούν οι αντιλήψεις των εν ενεργεία Θεολόγων-Εκπαιδευτικών στην Ελλάδα σε σχέση με τους σκοπούς του Μαθήματος των Θρησκευτικών (ΜτΘ), και τον τρόπο με τον οποίο αυτές επηρεάζονται από τις προσωπικές θρησκευτικές τους πεποιθήσεις. Η ποσοτική ανάλυση των αποτελεσμάτων έδειξε ότι οι Θεολόγοι-Εκπαιδευτικοί έδειξαν να προτιμούν όλες τις παιδαγωγικές προσεγγίσεις με αμυδρή προτεραιότητα στη Νεωτερική και Μετανεωτερική Προσέγγιση, χωρίς όμως να περιθωριοποιούν την Προνεωτερική. Ως προς τον τρόπο διδακτικής τους τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν ότι μεγάλη προτεραιότητα δίνουν στον σκοπό (γιατί) του μαθήματος και ύστερα στη μέθοδο (πώς) και στο περιεχόμενο (τι). Σε ό,τι αφορά την πίστη τους αυτή φαίνεται να επηρεάζει την προτίμησή τους για τους σκοπούς της Θ.Ε., αφού όσο πιο αυξημένη είναι τόσο προτιμούν περισσότερο την Προνεωτερική-Παραδοσιακή και τη Νεωτερική-Μοντέρνα προσέγγιση παρά τη Μετανεωτερική-Μεταμοντέρνα. Η πίστη, επίσης, φαίνεται να κατέχει πολύ σημαντική θέση στη ζωή των Θεολόγων-Εκπαιδευτικών, ενώ η θρησκευτικότητα τους όχι τον ίδιο βαθμό.In this dissertation I will attempt to explore the outlook and perspectives of currently active Religious Education teachers in Greece concerning the aims of Religious Education (RE) as a school subject and the potential nexus between their educational methods or practices and their religious beliefs. In the first part of the dissertation, I will attempt to illustrate the theoretical frame of the research, taking into consideration the international and Greek literature on the subject matters of the curricula/syllabi and pedagogical approaches in regard to the Religious Education, as well as personal educational theory as it is developed by multiple factors. Furthermore both the Greek and the international bibliography related to the above topics are listed and examined. The quantitative analysis of the results showed that RE teachers tend to prefer all pedagogical approaches with a dim priority in the modern and post modern approach, without marginalizing the pre – modern. In terms of their teaching methods, the results showed that they give high priority in the purpose of the course (why) and afterwards to the method (how) and to the content (what). As far as their personal religious belief is concerned, it seems to affect their preference for the purposes of RE, since the higher it is, the more they prefer the pre- modern – traditional and the modern educational approach rather than the post modern. Faith also seems to occupy a very important place in the life of Religious Education teachers, while their religiousness is not to the same degree

Flattening filter-free accelerators: a report from the AAPM Therapy Emerging Technology Assessment Work Group.

This report describes the current state of flattening filter-free (FFF) radiotherapy beams implemented on conventional linear accelerators, and is aimed primarily at practicing medical physicists. The Therapy Emerging Technology Assessment Work Group of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) formed a writing group to assess FFF technology. The published literature on FFF technology was reviewed, along with technical specifications provided by vendors. Based on this information, supplemented by the clinical experience of the group members, consensus guidelines and recommendations for implementation of FFF technology were developed. Areas in need of further investigation were identified. Removing the flattening filter increases beam intensity, especially near the central axis. Increased intensity reduces treatment time, especially for high-dose stereotactic radiotherapy/radiosurgery (SRT/SRS). Furthermore, removing the flattening filter reduces out-of-field dose and improves beam modeling accuracy. FFF beams are advantageous for small field (e.g., SRS) treatments and are appropriate for intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). For conventional 3D radiotherapy of large targets, FFF beams may be disadvantageous compared to flattened beams because of the heterogeneity of FFF beam across the target (unless modulation is employed). For any application, the nonflat beam characteristics and substantially higher dose rates require consideration during the commissioning and quality assurance processes relative to flattened beams, and the appropriate clinical use of the technology needs to be identified. Consideration also needs to be given to these unique characteristics when undertaking facility planning. Several areas still warrant further research and development. Recommendations pertinent to FFF technology, including acceptance testing, commissioning, quality assurance, radiation safety, and facility planning, are presented. Examples of clinical applications are provided. Several of the areas in which future research and development are needed are also indicated

Nachhaltige Stadtentwicklung, Orientierungstheorie und Erwachsenenbildung Infrastruktur im Stadtteil - Ein gemeinsames Vorgehen im Falle von Berliner Volkshochschulen

Stadtentwicklung ist konfrontiert mit Globalisierung, sozialer Segregation und Spezialisierungsbedarf. Unter diesen Umständen die Rolle der Bildungsinfrastruktur und des Stadtteiles als Handlungseinheit kommt wieder in Diskurs. Dadurch werden latente Potenziale der nachhaltigen Stadtentwicklung geschafft und insbesonders die Interaktion mit der Erwachsenenbildung Infrastruktur. Die Berliner Volkshochschule wurde als Beispiel für die vorgelegte Untersuchung gewählt, wegen ihrer Funktion als kommunale Weiterbildungseinrichtung, ihrer Verankerung im Stadtteil und ihrer sozialintegrativen, bildungspolitischen und marktwirtschaftlichen Aufträge. Orientierungstheorie von Prof. Hartmut Bossel ist eine Methode für die Entwicklung von Indikatorensets, durch die die Nachhaltigkeit evaluiert wird. Die Theorie ist eine auf der Systemtheorie basierende ganzheitliche Methode, die sicherst, dass alle wichtigen Aspekte der nachhaltigen Entwicklung berücksichtigt werden. Diese Theorie ist noch nicht auf die Stadtentwicklung angewendet. Die Untersuchung besteht aus zwei Schwerpunkten. Der erste Schwerpunkt ist die Betrachtung von weiteren Möglichkeiten für die Integration der Volkshochschule in die nachhaltige Stadtentwicklungsplanung. In diesem Zusammenhang wird auch die Bedeutung der lokalen Bedingungen und Akteure unter den gegebenen demographischen und sozial-wirtschaftlichen Umständen untersucht. Der zweite Schwerpunkt bezieht sich auf die Potenzielle und der Anwendbarkeit der Orientierungstheorie auf die Stadtentwicklung. Für die Bearbeitung dieser Punkte werden drei Untersuchungsmittel eingesetzt, nämlich die Anwendung der Orientierungstheorie auf die physische Infrastruktur der Volkshochschule, die Durchführung von Expertengesprächen und zwei Fallstudien. Für diesen Zweck ein Modell der Volkshochschule wird entwickelt und die wichtigsten Systeme der Volkshochschulumwelt bezeichnet. Mit Hilfe der Orientierungstheorie werden die Eigenschaften der Umwelt und die davon abgeleiteten Leitwerte für die Volkshochschule beschrieben. Demnach wird ein Indikatorenset entwickelt. Das soll auf das Teilsystem der physischen Infrastruktur der Volkshochschule angewendet werden und auf dessen Verhältnis zum Gesamtsystem der Volkshochschule. Die Berliner VHS ist gleichzeitig Teil des Bildungssystems und der Bezirksverwaltung. Die Indikatoren evaluieren die Auswirkung dieser doppelte Position auf die Funktion und die Entwicklungsfähigkeit der VHS, wie auch die enge Interaktion des Institutes mit dem lokalen Umständen. Die Expertengespräche dienen zu der Erhebung von Informationen, mit denen die Literatur noch nicht oder nur zum Teil beschäftigt ist. Die Experten wurden auch um Anmerkungen zu der Anwendung der Orientierungstheorie gefragt. Die Themen werden von Experten aus unterschiedlichen Bereichen behandelt: - Akademiker aus den Fachbereichen Weiterbildungsforschung, Stadtsoziologie, Stadtplanung und Stadterneuerung - Partner aus der Senatsverwaltung für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Forschung und aus der Senatsverwaltung für Stadtentwicklung - Partner aus der Stadtteilplanung, aus dem Quartiersmanagement und aus kommunalen Initiativen - Volkshochschulmitarbeiter Die Experten erkennen die Wichtigkeit der VHS für die Stadtteilentwicklung, innerhalb einer gesamtstädtischen Konzept. Das gilt am meisten für Experten mit Erfahrung in Stadtteilprojekte. Es ist aber auch unterzeichnet, dass der VHS als Mitakteur und nicht nur als Partner der Stadtteilentwicklung anerkannt werden muss. Es gibt eine beidsetige Blindigkeit darüber, beider von den Bildungsakteuren wie auch von den Stadtentwicklungsakteuren. Die Experten erkennen die vielfältige Wirkung der physischen Infrastruktur, aber nür nach sie darüber gefragt werden. Die Experten finden auch, dass Orientierungstheorie nützlich für die Evaluierung der Nachhaltigkeit sein kann, aber kann nicht die Leitidee des Systems beschreiben. In den Fallstudien wird die Anwendung der Orientierungstheorie für zwei Berliner Volkshochschulen untersucht. Für diesen Zweck werden Interviews mit Partnern aus den entsprechenden Bezirksämtern und mit Volkshochschulmitarbeitern geführt. Die Zusammenarbeit mit der Volkshochschule war enger, um die Indikatoren zu entwickeln und zu evaluieren. Die Entwikclung der Infrastruktur beider VHS ist eng mit dem lokalen Umständen, auf Bezirksebene aber auch auf kleinere Stadteilebene, verbunden. Die VHS Infrastruktur ergänzt die soziale Infrastruktur und bietet Möglichkeiten nach den Bedürfnissen an jedem Stadtteil. Die Anwendung der Orientierungstheorie bietet einen alternativen Einblick in das betrachtete System und seiner Beziehung mit seiner Umwelt, wie auch eine gemeinsame Basis für die Entwicklung oder Auswertung von Nachhaltigkeitsindikatorensets. Damit beiträgt zu einer neuen gemeinsamen Betrachtung von bildungspolitischen und stadtplanerischen Aufgaben.Urban development has to confront the effects of globalisation, social segregation and the need for specialisation. Under these conditions, the role of educational infrastructure and urban district, as a planning unit, is once more under discussion. This discussion can bring into light new potentials for sustainable urban development, especially through the interaction with adult education infrastructure. The Berlin District Centres of Adult Education (VHS) are chosen as the adult education institute under study. They serve the purposes of the present research due to their function as communal adult education institutes, anchored at the urban district, which have undertaken a social integrative, educational, political and market oriented task. Orientation theory, developed by Pr. Hartmut Bossel offers a method to develop indicator sets for the evaluation of sustainability. It is a holistic approach, based on systems theory, which aims to ensure that all aspects of sustainable development are taken into account during the analysis. This theory is not yet applied to the field of urban development. The present research is led by two main questions. The fisrt question is about the potentials for the further integration of the VHS in sustainable urban development. For this purpose the local conditions, as shaped under the current demographic, social and economic conditions, are examined. The second question refers to the new insights that can be gained by applying orientation theory to urban development. The research is conducted through the application of orientation theory to the physical infrastructure of the Berlin VHS, expert interviews and two case studies. For this purpose a model of the Berlin VHS is developed and the most important systems of the VHS environment are described. With the help of orientation theory the properties of the environment and the orientors for the VHS system are specified. An indicator set is then developed, which monitors the physical infrastructure of the VHS and its effect on the VHS system. The Berlin VHS is both part of the educational system and of the borough administration. The effect of this douple position on the function and development of the VHS, as well as the strong interaction of the institute with the local conditions is evaluated through the indicators. The expert interviews serve the acquisition of information, which is not available or only linited at the existing literature. Furthermore, the experts are asked for their opinion on the apllication of orientation theory. The research questions are discussed with experts from the following fields: Academics from the fields of Adult education, Urban sociolgy and Urban development Experts from the Senate for Education, Science and Research and the Senate for Urban Development Experts from the field of Urban Planning, Urban District Management and Local Initiatives Experts from the Berlin VHS The experts describe the role of the VHS in urban district development, which must however, be considered within a development concept for the whole city. The importance of the VHS is mostly recognised by experts who have epxerience with district projects. However, it is underlined that the VHS has to be recognised as an actor and not only as a partner of district development. This is not yet recognised, both from educational and urban development actors. The experts recognise the multi-dimensional effects of the VHS physical infrastructure, but only after they are asked about them. Some of the experts consider the usefulness ot orientation theory for the evaluation of sustainability, but not for recognising the purpose of the system. The two field studies examine the research questions and the application of orientation theory in the case of two Berlin VHS. For this purpose interviews with the VHS employees and partners from each borough are conducted. The cooperation with the VHS employees is very important in order to develop and evaluate the indicators. The development of both VHS infrastructure is strongly connected to the local conditions at the borough but also at smaller district level. The VHS infrastructure often covers the lack of social infrastructure and responds to the needs shaped at each district. The application of orientation theory offers an alternative view of the system under study and its relation to its environment, as well as an integrative approach of sustainability. Therefore, it contributes to a common approach of educational and urban planning tasks

Could helical tomotherapy do whole brain radiotherapy and radiosurgery?

Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) remains the standard management of breast cancer patients with brain metastases, allowing for symptomatic improvement and good local control in most patients. However, its results remain suboptimal in terms of both efficacy and toxicity. In highly selected breast cancer patients, stereotaxic radiotherapy demonstrates a very good local control with a low toxicity. With the purpose of improving the efficacy/toxicity ratio, we report the association of integrated boost with WBRT in a breast cancer patient with brain metastases. Two and a half years after completion of helical tomotherapy (HT), the patient experienced clinical and radiological complete remission of her brain disease. No delayed toxicity occurred and the patient kept her hair without need of radiosurgical procedure. The HT provided a high dosimetric homogeneity, delivering integrated radiation boosts, and avoiding critical structures involved in long-term neurological toxicity. Further assessment is required and recruitment of breast cancer patients into clinical trials is encouraged

Out-of-field doses from radiotherapy using photon beams: A comparative study for a pediatric renal treatment

International audiencePurpose: First, this experimental study aims at comparing the normal tissue doses delivered by three radiotherapy techniques using photon beams (3DCRT, VMAT (with two different accelerators), and tomotherapy) for a typical paediatric renal treatment. Secondly, the accuracy of commercial treatment planning systems (TPS) for the assessment of normal tissue doses is evaluated.Methods: EBT3 films rigorously calibrated were positioned in two anthropomorphic phantoms representing children aged 5 and 10 years old. Those phantoms were irradiated according to one 3DCRT plan (Clinac 2100CS, Varian), two VMAT plans (Clinac 2100CS and Halcyon, Varian) and one tomotherapy plan optimized for a same tumour volume. 3-D dose determination was performed with an in-house Matlab tool using linear interpolation of film measurements. The doses were compared between techniques in 1-D, 2-D and 3-D. Finally, measured doses were also compared to the Eclipse™ (Varian Medical System) and Tomotherapy (Accuray) TPS dose calculations. Results: Advanced radiotherapy techniques (VMATs and tomotherapy) deliver higher out-of-field doses compared to 3DCRT. The differences increase with distance to target and reach a factor of 3 between VMAT and 3DCRT. This increase in peripheral doses is due to increased beam-on time triggered by intensity modulation. Besides, tomotherapy delivers lower doses than VMAT. Indeed, although tomotherapy beam-on-time is higher than in VMAT, the additional shielding of the Hi-Art tomotherapy system reduces out-of-field doses. The Halcyon system, operating in FFF mode, proves to deliver lower peripheral doses than conventional accelerators. Regarding TPS calculation, the Tomotherapy TPS proves to be suitable for out-of-field dose determination up to 30 cm from field edge whereas Eclipse™ largely underestimates those doses.Conclusion: This experimental study shows that the high dose conformation allowed by advanced radiotherapy is done at the cost of higher doses delivered outside the treatment field border. In the context of treatment-related risk estimation, the consequence of this increase in peripheral dose might be significative. The modern systems require adapted head shielding to spare normal tissues and a particular attention has to be taken regarding on-board imaging dose. Finally, advanced dose calculation algorithms implemented in commercial TPS do not certify dose accuracy beyond treatment field edges and thus, those doses are not suitable for risk assessment

Développement d'un outil de détermination expérimentale 3D de la dose délivrée aux tissus sains en radiothérapie externe

International audienc

Preliminary experience of helical tomotherapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer

Radiotherapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer is technically difficult and frequently associated with high-grade digestive toxicity. Helical tomotherapy (HT) is a new irradiation modality that combines megavoltage computed tomography imaging for patient positioning with intensity-modulated fan-beam radiotherapy. Its recent availability opens new fields of exploration for pancreatic radiotherapy as a result of its ability to tailor very well-defined dose distributions around the target volumes. Here, we report the use of HT in two patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Doses to the bowel, kidneys and liver were reduced significantly, which allowed for excellent treatment tolerance without any high-grade adverse effects in either patient

Développement d'un outil de détermination expérimentale 3D de la dose délivrée aux tissus sains en radiothérapie externe

International audienc

Development of an experimental 3-D tool based on radiochromic films to determine normal tissue doses in external radiotherapy

International audienc