First-grade students, their parents, and teachers met distance education (DE) and remote literacy instruction (RLI) as a result of the quarantine measures and rigorous regulations implemented to stop the spread of COVID-19. The aim of this study was to investigate first-grade teachers’ experiences and opinions on RLI in DE during the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative research paradigm and case study design were used to gather the data. Focus group interviews using a semi-structured interview form were carried out as a data collection method. The study group included 15 first-grade teachers working in public primary schools in Istanbul. Data were collected online, and content analysis was applied. The findings revealed that the teachers perceived DE as a crisis because they were more fatigued mentally. They could not communicate with their parents properly. They could not teach values. They could not manage the classroom. DE was also an opportunity because the teachers were less fatigued physically. They could develop professionally. While teaching online, teachers used various materials. They could apply different activities and instructional methods. They achieved student-student interaction as well as student-teacher interaction. Teachers could assess both reading comprehension and writing not only during the course but also after the course. They had some expectations and plans about school life after DE although they predicted to have some problems. They thought they could teach literacy online if they had to. The results highlighted the need for a sense of belonging, collaboration, and positive relationship among teachers, students and parents in RLI.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and imaging features of intracranial mycotic aneurysms (MAs) in addition to endovascular treatment (EVT) results with different techniques. Methods: Patients who underwent EVT for MAs between 2007 and 2021 were included in this retrospective study. All patients underwent at least one of the cranial cross-sectional imaging modalities [computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)] before EVT to demonstrate the presence of an abscess or intracranial hemorrhage. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) examination was used to assess different MA characteristics. The primary goal of EVT in all cases was to prevent the filling of the aneurysm sac. In a case where direct access to the aneurysm could not be achieved, only the parent artery was occluded by the injection of an embolizing agent. After EVT, follow-up DSA at the sixth month and MRI and CT angiography examinations at the first year were obtained. Results: Twelve patients with a total of 20 MAs were included, with a mean age of 32.83 (range 12-66). All of the MAs were located distally in the intracranial circulation. At the admission time, 5 (41.66%) of the patients had intracranial hematoma. Sixteen out of 20 aneurysms were treated endovascularly. Aneurysm sac embolization and parent artery occlusion were carried out in 12 (75%) of the 16 treated aneurysms. Newly developed aneurysms or aneurysms with residual filling were not detected in the sixth-month DSA. Conclusion: Endovascular treatment can be safe and effective in most cases of MA. Early diagnosis and individualized treatment are key to the success of treatment.