Notes

Outline

Scarring a Generation of School Children through Poor Introduction of Information Technology in Schools Dr Leon Straker Courtenay Harris Dr David Zandvliet

Outline Background to interest in issue Overview of past studies Update on current studies Aims  sharing of ideas  potential collaboration

Background 1980s rapid increase in use of computers by adults in office workplaces: Increased reports of psychosocial problems Increased reports of visual discomfort Increased reports of musculoskeletal disorders Failure to achieve expected productivity gains

Children and Computers late 1990s rapid increase in computer use by some school children  even more use planned Government schools - 1:5 ratio Private schools - 1:1 ratio Computer in 48% Australian households

Potential Problem Emerging Analogous to adults in early 1980s Poorly managed computer use by school children could result in: Reduced learning Dissatisfaction with computers Attitudinal aversion to computer use Increased visual problems Musculoskeletal disorders

What do we know? Very limited knowledge base about children and computers Educational literature extolling potential productivity (learning) gains physical ergonomics studies suggesting repeating mistakes of 1980s Adult research suggests rapid increase in problems associated with computer use

Lab room

Initial studies - 1 Computing ‘laboratory’ classroom aims describe IT rich classrooms in 1990s explore physical and psychosocial factors 43 classrooms in Canada and Australia 1,404 students, teacher interviews physical workspace poorest rating factor some psychosocial and physical factors related

Lap class

Initial studies - 2 Laptop integrated classroom aims describe exposure and outcomes 3 schools in Australia - mandatory laptops 314 students, www questionnaire 3.2 hours/day, 17 hours/week desk sitting only 1/3 60% discomfort (neck, low back)

Current studies - epidemiological RASCALS random sample 5% all WA births in 1995 exposure - type, frequency and duration of IT use outcome - MS and visual discomforts socioeconomic factors

Current studies - field School based for more detailed exposure and outcome assessment www based student questionnaire teacher questionnaire observations school and home majority in discomfort with IT tasks small minority in severe discomfort

Current studies - laboratory Comparison of posture and EMG old IT- new IT laptop - desktop standard - adjustable desk 5, 11 and 17 year olds (and adults) laptop compromise MS stress between book and desktop?

Slide 14

Summary rapid increase in use most significant change to children’s tasks since books very limited knowledge guidelines guesswork potential to scar a whole generation international collaboration

Acknowledgments Stephen Pheasant Memorial Award 1999 Institute for Child Health Research participating schools Physiotherapy Research Foundation