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Alan Hedge, Ph.D. |
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Marisol Barrero, |
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Lorraine Maxwell, Ph.D. |
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Dept. Design and Environmental Analysis |
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Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853. |
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Rapid proliferation of computers in schools. |
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Primary focus on hardware and networking. |
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Secondary focus on educational software and
curriculum. |
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Laptops increasingly being favored over
desktops. |
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Goal of ubiquitous computing. |
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Teaching training/technology integration lags. |
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Physical ergonomic issues seldom considered. |
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In 1996, Microsoft and Toshiba began a Laptop
Pilot Program at 52 schools across the United States in which students have
24-hour access to laptop computers and the computers are fully integrated
into classroom instruction. The pilot program was designed to demonstrate
that providing every student within a classroom with access to "real
world" business tools would produce substantial educational benefits. |
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No consideration of Ergonomic Issues |
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Children’s posture, age |
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Computer design |
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desktops, laptops, pda’s |
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Furniture design |
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Backpack design |
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Time management |
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School and home use |
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Effective Ergonomics Information |
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How ‘ergonomic’ are the different hardware and
furniture designs? |
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What is the most effective way of delivering
ergonomics information? |
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How can we best structure the time that children use computers? |
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Curriculum issues |
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Rest-break issues |
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Software timers |
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Time limits |
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How can we most effectively present parents and
children with appropriate ergonomics information? |
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“Get Techfit” program – Blackwell Elementary
School, WA and Cornell University. |
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Classroom instruction on computer ergonomics |
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Class exercises on computer ergonomics |
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Parents booklet on computer ergonomics |
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Web-based program information |
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Teacher commitment |
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What is right or wrong with these pictures? |
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What is right or wrong with these pictures? |
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What is right or wrong with these pictures? |
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What is right or wrong with these pictures? |
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What is right or wrong with these pictures? |
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Intensify efforts to promote public awareness of
the importance of Ergonomics in school and home computer use. |
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Promote professional awareness of classroom
ergonomics issues. |
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Provide effective Ergonomics education
information for schools and parents. |
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Define effective Ergonomic designs for hardware,
software and furniture. |
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Encourage professional initiatives for IEA/HFES
to promote Ergonomics in Schools. |
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As professionals, we believe it is our
responsibility to protect future generations against known injury risks,
and to ensure that our children acquire good lifelong skills based on sound
ergonomics practice. |
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