Web literacy practices of teacher education students and in-service teachers in Greece : a comparative study

In the expanding context of new literacies and multiliteracies, the abilities to know how to locate, to evaluate and to exploit Web information resources in order to construct knowledge, are acknowledged as extremely important worldwide. Current literacy curricula should encourage the development of such abilities, and  their successful implementation requires teachers themselves to be properly prepared. The present study reports the web searching and evaluating practices for educational purposes employed by both pre-service and in-service teachers. Data was collected via an anonymous online questionnaire. The comparative study  exhibis teachers' web practices with the purpose of identifying aspects of web literacy that require attention when designing and implementing relevant educational initiatives. According to the research findings, both pre-service and in-service teachers are based almost exclusively on popular search engines to locate web information resources, and they choose such resources without examining their wider context. In order to evaluate web information resources, they consider mainly morphological and design elements, rather than content features such as their origin and credibility. The findings raise the potential of applying critical literacy principles on the Web so that teachers can approach it critiquely.[1] when using its resources in educational settings. [1] learn to think “critiquely” (a word coined by James Paul Gee), that is, not merely consume information but also “understand and critique systems of power and injustice in a world that [people] will see as simply economically inevitable" (Gee, 2000: 62).: In the expanding context of new literacies and multiliteracies, the abilities to know how to locate, to evaluate and to exploit Web information resources in order to construct knowledge, are acknowledged as extremely important worldwide. Current literacy curricula should encourage the development of such abilities, and  their successful implementation requires teachers themselves to be properly prepared. The present study reports the web searching and evaluating practices for educational purposes employed by both pre-service and in-service teachers. Data was collected via an anonymous online questionnaire. The comparative study  exhibis teachers' web practices with the purpose of identifying aspects of web literacy that require attention when designing and implementing relevant educational initiatives. According to the research findings, both pre-service and in-service teachers are based almost exclusively on popular search engines to locate web information resources, and they choose such resources without examining their wider context. In order to evaluate web information resources, they consider mainly morphological and design elements, rather than content features such as their origin and credibility. The findings raise the potential of applying critical literacy principles on the Web so that teachers can approach it critiquely.[1] when using its resources in educational settings. [1] learn to think “critiquely” (a word coined by James Paul Gee), that is, not merely consume information but also “understand and critique systems of power and injustice in a world that [people] will see as simply economically inevitable" (Gee, 2000: 62)

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Information and communication technologies (ICT) literacy in primary education

The aim of this thesis is to explore the perceptions and practices of ICT teachers for the implementation of the new curriculum for ICT in primary education as well as the identification of their pedagogical views. The study that was conducted based on exploratory sequential mixed methods design with two parts. Qualitative data were collected at the first part through semi-structured interviews taken by 33 ICT teachers. With the thematic analysis we led to the construction of a questionnaire as a research tool for collecting quantitative data from 157 teachers at the second part. The interviews used four original lesson plans that adopted Shiro’s four pedagogical considerations, with the common theme "robots and robotics" as improvised tools, to examine teachers' pedagogical views. In order to avoid inappropriate measurement of teachers' pedagogical theories for curriculum, the questionnaire integrated Schiro limited research tool called inventory. The main findings of the survey on teachers' perceptions of the curriculum include a positive judgement in principle, with the majority of teachers considering that the curriculum is unsatisfactory as it is and needs to be modified. The modifications relate to the age of the pupils, and the organisation of teaching content per grade. For the orientation of teaching content there was almost an equal division between the "Computer Science or/and programing or the use of digital tools" dipole. Teaching practices include assignment as the dominant form of teaching through activities and exercises with predetermined objectives. The evaluation was mainly summative. The third axis of learning objectives of the curriculum appeared not to meet its methodological objectives and directed at low-level skills. The main reason of not implementing the methodological choices of the curriculum seem to be the teaching time available and the pedagogical considerations of the teachers. Other barriers, according to the ICT teachers, are the problems of training concerned about the framework of the primary school and the management of the school class. Moreover the vast majority of participating teachers seek a “teaching book”, as a supplementary guide. The results of the research highlighted two dominant pedagogical views for curriculum : the theory of Social Efficiency and the Study Child theory. The lesson plans in the interviews asked teachers to teach in practice specific teaching paths in accordance with the pedagogical considerations. The theory of Social Effectiveness seemed to reflect the vast majority of ICT teachers, who supported the corresponding lesson plan. However, the answers of Schiro's four statements in the questionnaire highlight a shift in the child-centred approach to elements such as the role of the teacher, the teaching-learning process, and the evaluation process. However, does not mean a radical change in the pedagogical views of the ICT teachers, since the first place for the purpose of school and the teaching content occupies the Theory of Social Efficiency. It is difficult to interpret how the systematic pursuit of behavioral purposes can coexist with child-centred approach. Taking also into account the teaching practices, ICT teachers seems to prefer the approach of the technocratic school framework.Σκοπός της διατριβής ήταν η διερεύνηση των αντιλήψεων και των πρακτικών των εκπαιδευτικών του κλάδου πληροφορικής ΠΕ86, για την υλοποίηση του νέου προγράμματος σπουδών (ΠΣ) για τις Τ.Π.Ε. στην Πρωτοβάθμια Εκπαίδευση, καθώς και η εξέταση των παιδαγωγικών θεωρήσεων των εκπαιδευτικών. Για την υλοποίηση αυτού του ερευνητικού σκοπού πραγματοποιήθηκε ο σχεδιασμός εμπειρικής μελέτης μεικτής προσέγγισης, βασισμένης στο «διερευνητικό διαδοχικό σχέδιο». Μέσω 33 ημιδομημένων συνεντεύξεων συλλέχθηκαν τα ποιοτικά δεδομένα. Με τη θεματική ανάλυση οδηγηθήκαμε στη κατασκευή ερωτηματολογίου ως ερευνητικού εργαλείου συλλογής των ποσοτικών δεδομένων από 157 εκπαιδευτικούς. Στις συνεντεύξεις αξιοποιήθηκαν τέσσερα πρωτότυπα σχέδια μαθήματος που υιοθετούσαν τις τέσσερεις παιδαγωγικές θεωρήσεις του Schiro, με κοινό θέμα «τα ρομπότ και τη ρομποτική» ως αυτοσχέδια εργαλεία, για την εξέταση των παιδαγωγικών θεωρήσεων των εκπαιδευτικών. Για την ίδια εξέταση, στα ερωτηματολόγια αξιοποιήθηκαν βινιέτες στη λογική του εργαλείου που ανέπτυξε ο ίδιος Schiro. Τα βασικά ευρήματα της έρευνας σε ό,τι αφορά στις αντιλήψεις των εκπαιδευτικών για το ΠΣ περιλαμβάνουν μια κατ’ αρχή θετική κρίση, με την πλειονότητα όμως εκπαιδευτικών να εκτιμούν ότι το ΠΣ δεν είναι ικανοποιητικό ως έχει και χρήζει τροποποίησης. Οι τροποποιήσεις σχετίζονται κυρίως με τη καταλληλότητα λογισμικών και δραστηριοτήτων σχετικών με την ηλικία των μαθητών/ριών καθώς και την οργάνωση των περιεχομένων διδασκαλίας ανά τάξη. Για το προσανατολισμό του περιεχομένου διδασκαλίας υπήρξε σχεδόν ισόποσος καταμερισμός ανάμεσα στο δίπολο «Πληροφορική/προγραμματισμός ή χρήση ψηφιακών εργαλείων». Κυρίαρχη μορφή διδασκαλίας ήταν η ανάθεση έργου. Η διδασκαλία πραγματοποιούνταν κυρίως με δραστηριότητες και ασκήσεις δομημένων σχεδίων μαθήματος, τα οποία είχαν προκαθορισμένους στόχους. Η αξιολόγηση ήταν συμπερασματικού τύπου. Ο τρίτος άξονας μαθησιακών στόχων του ΠΣ φάνηκε να μην εκπληρώνει τις μεθοδολογικές στοχεύσεις του, κατευθυνόμενος σε χαμηλού επιπέδου δεξιότητες. Οι δυσκολίες υλοποίησης των μεθοδολογικών επιλογών του ΠΣ, φαίνεται να εξαρτώνται από το διαθέσιμο διδακτικό χρόνο, και τις παιδαγωγικές θεωρήσεις των εκπαιδευτικών. Προβλήματα / εμπόδια, σύμφωνα με τους εκπαιδευτικούς, ήταν η ανεπαρκής χρονική διάρκεια του μαθήματος και η ανάγκη επιμόρφωσης. Η συντριπτική πλειονότητα των συμμετεχόντων εκπαιδευτικών αναζητά επίσημο διδακτικό σύγγραμμα, ως συμπληρωματικό οδηγό. Επιπλέον τα αποτελέσματα της έρευνας ανέδειξαν δύο κυρίαρχα ρεύματα προσφιλών θεωρήσεων για τα ΠΣ, που ήταν η θεωρία της Κοινωνικής Αποτελεσματικότητας και η θεωρία της Μελέτης του Παιδιού (Schiro, 2013). Η θεωρία Κοινωνικής Αποτελεσματικότητας φάνηκε να εκφράζει τη συντριπτική πλειονότητα των εκπαιδευτικών ΠΕ86. Στο ερωτηματολόγιο από τις απαντήσεις στις βινιέτες (inventory Schiro) αναδεικνύεται μια στροφή στη παιδοκεντρική προσέγγιση όσο αφορά στοιχεία όπως ο ρόλος του δασκάλου, η διδακτικο-μαθησιακή διαδικασία, καθώς και η διαδικασία αξιολόγησης. Ωστόσο, αυτή η στροφή δεν σημαίνει ριζική μεταβολή των παιδαγωγικών θεωρήσεων των ΠΕ86, αφού για το σκοπό του σχολείου και το περιεχόμενο διδασκαλίας την πρώτη θέση καταλαμβάνει η Θεωρία της Κοινωνικής Αποτελεσματικότητας

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study (Intensive Care Medicine, (2021), 47, 2, (160-169), 10.1007/s00134-020-06234-9)

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The members of the ESICM Trials Group Collaborators were not shown in the article but only in the ESM. The full list of collaborators is shown below. The original article has been corrected