School Computer Lab Furniture
|
When purchasing computer training furniture, the buyer needs to consider several factors to ensure that a good decision is made before a contract with a vendor is signed. Though everyone should have proper equipment, this is especially important for the young and growing bodies of children. Educational institutions have a responsibility to the students to provide school computer lab furniture that relieves stress on the body's musculoskeletal system. The field of study that analyzes such stresses and seeks methods of relieving them is called ergonomics. Purchasers, either for institutions, offices, or the home, should have a basic understanding of ergonomics so that wise decisions are made when buying computer desks and chairs. Considering the amount of time that is spent in front of a monitor, by adults and children alike, this is not the place to skimp just to save a few dollars.
When designing a computer lab, the general layout needs to be determined. This can be accomplished by creating a floor plan and scale models of desks and chairs. The designer will need to know the number of workstations that are required and how they should be arranged in the available space. Once these questions are decided, it may be necessary to have an electrician put in additional outlets in places where the equipment can be easily plugged in. This is important so that the electrical cords don't become a safety hazard. Many options are available for the designer to consider. The workstations can be placed around the perimeter of a space, allowing an instructor to easily oversee each student. Or the workstations can be placed in a classroom-type arrangement where each desk faces the front of the room. Cluster-type desks offer an additional option to consider. These desks, usually four, are like pieces of a pie fitted together to form a circle.
An educational institution must take into consideration the ages and general sizes of the students who will be using the new school computer lab furniture. Elementary school children should be equipped with desks and chairs that are designed for their small bodies. A high school lab may need to provide adjustable tables and chairs to accommodate both the petite freshmen cheerleader and the senior running back. Each one of these students and all of their classmates should be educated as to the basic ergonomic principles and encouraged to adjust the computer training furniture to meet their particular needs. The ergonomic principles provide specifics on posture, lighting, placement of the equipment, and the need for regular breaks from the screen. One danger of lengthy time in front of a monitor and keyboard is injury from the repetitive typing motions. If the keyboard is not at a proper angle to the body, physical stress is placed on the wrist, lower arms, shoulders, and neck. In some cases, this can lead to a wrist injury known as carpal tunnel syndrome. This painful condition sometimes requires surgery to correct. Christians are encouraged to take care of their bodies. The apostle Paul wrote: "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16).
Perhaps the foremost ergonomic suggestion is for the person to utilize computer training furniture designed to maintain good posture. This means that the chair is at a height where the feet can be placed flat on the floor. The seat should be cushioned and is should not be so large that the backs of the knees hit the front of the chair. The back of the chair should provide extra support to the person's lumbar, or lower back, region. Ergonomic principles also suggest that the keyboard be placed on a surface that is lower than the user's elbows. In this way, the wrists and fingers are also lower than the elbows, at a slight decline, which reduces the stress of holding the wrists higher than the elbows. Though many tables are designed to hold the monitor, keyboard, and mouse on the same surface, ergonomic school computer lab furniture will consist of split-level tables with a lower surface for the keyboard and mouse and a higher surface for the monitor.
The mouse needs to be close to the keyboard so that it can be reached without undue stretching. The monitor should be placed on a higher surface than the keyboard so that the screen can be seen without bending the neck forward or looking downward toward the screen. Proper lighting is needed to avoid glare which can lead to eyestrain.
Within the first weeks of school, students can be taught how to adjust their chairs to provide optimum posture while doing computer work. Colorful posters in the classroom or computer lab can show pictures of students working at desks, some with good posture and others with poor posture. The posters will encourage the children to adjust the equipment properly rather than to slouch in their seats or to have to stretch to reach the keyboard. Teachers should be on the lookout, especially with younger children, for those who are having a hard time making the needed adjustments.
Without a doubt, the most important consideration when purchasing school computer lab furniture is choosing desks and chairs that fit the students that will be using them. And these children need to know that they have permission to adjust their chairs so that they can have good posture and follow good ergonomic principles while using the workstation. Adults also need to use computer training furniture that is designed to encourage good posture and relief stress on the body's musculoskeletal system. The physical stress of repetitive motions can be alleviated by following sound ergonomic principles regarding posture, the placement of equipment, and good lighting.
|
|
|
|
