An Ergonomic Questionnaire Survey on the Use of Computers in Schools.

Abstract

A questionnaire was sent out to elementary, junior high and high schools in Yokohama and Kawasaki Cities from January to March 1998 regarding the use of personal computers by pupils and students. The survey included the questions that asked how often and in what environment computers are used, whether any instructions are given as to their use, children's working posture, and the effect on health. The results show that most schools are slow to develop instructive programs from the environmental or ergonomic point of view. So far there are not many children who complain of any serious symptoms such as pain in the neck, head or shoulders, but a future increase in the number of classes which involve computing, as well as the widespread popularity of home computers, will surely arouse a legitimate concern about the health of pupils and students, since they will spend more and more time operating the devices. An effective way to anticipate the problem is to provide young students with adequate knowledge of easy-on-body usage and environmental design, and now there is an urgent need for specific guidelines to protect them.

Principles for the wise use of computers by children

“…School computers may be shared by two or more children, particularly in the younger age groups (Sotoyama et al 2002, Breen et al 2007. This implies that the screen may be angled to one or both viewers, which has been shown to affect muscle activity and be related to greater musculoskeletal discomfort in university students (Szeto and Sham 2008).…”

“…In addition, there is ample evidence to show that many children are using school computers at workstations that are unsuitable for their morphology (Oates et al 1998, Zandvliet and Straker 2001, Sotoyama et al 2002, Dockrell et al 2007). The physical effects of this discrepancy may currently be mitigated by the relatively short duration of use at school (Oates et al 1998, Sotoyama et al 2002. However, neck, upper back and lower back pain have all been associated with school furniture features (Murphy et al 2007).…”

“…Whilst adults are likely to have their own personal workspace, chair and computer at work, children often share computers with one or more other individuals at school (Sotoyama et al 2002, Breen et al 2007). In addition, there is ample evidence to show that many children are using school computers at workstations that are unsuitable for their morphology (Oates et al 1998, Zandvliet and Straker 2001, Sotoyama et al 2002, Dockrell et al 2007).…”

School children's use of computers and teachers' education in computer ergonomics

“…They reported that less than 10% of schools were 'actively' incorporating ergonomics information into the computer education of the pupils. Similar to Lai (2000) and Sotoyama et al (2002), the authors of this paper were concerned that children were using computers to an increasing extent, but may not have received any ergonomics information about their use.…”

“…The lack of continuing professional development related to health issues associated with computer use for school staff was also commented on. Sotoyama et al (2002) conducted a questionnaire survey of the use of computers in schools in Yokohama and Kawasaki cities. They reported that less than 10% of schools were 'actively' incorporating ergonomics information into the computer education of the pupils.…”