The Effect of Computer Workstation Design on Student Posture

Although the use of computers in the classroom is increasing, little attention has been paid by educators, furniture manufacturers, or researchers to the ergonomic design issues of educational furniture for computer use. Children in the sixth and eighth grades performed keyboarding and mousing tasks at two different computer workstations; one a traditional desktop arrangement, and the second a station that consisted of an adjustable keyboard. Overall student posture scores improved, as measured by the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment, at the adjustable workstation.