Workstation setup - layout

Mouse location, monitor height, and seat height

These three case studies are intended to give you ideas for arranging a classroom where space and furniture for computers are sparse.

Mouse location

Case study: 2nd grade classroom

Concern

In this classroom, the mouse was located above and away from the keyboard. There was no space for it on the keyboard tray. The mouse could only be moved using a very long arm reach.

Before

The computer table had a

keyboard tray (1) and side

shelves (2). The printer was placed

on a spare desk (3).

After

Extra space for the mouse was obtained

by folding out the shelf for the

printer (4) and moving the spare

desk next to the keyboard tray (5).

Solution

To make a better arrangement for mouse use, the printer was placed on the folded-out side shelf on the computer table (4) and the spare desk was moved forward and placed level with the keyboard. The mouse was placed on the spare desk (5). The mouse, placed right next to the keyboard, could now be used with a comfortable posture.

Monitor height

Case study: 4th grade classroom

Concern

In this classroom, the computer monitor and the keyboard were too high. Students had to look up and bend their heads back to see the monitor. Their elbows were also lower than the keyboard.

Solution

This case could be solved two ways. In picture 1, the student could get eyes level with the computer monitor and elbows level with the keyboard with the help of a higher chair, shown in picture 3. The feet must be supported with a box or footrest.

Or, as in picture 2, the computer monitor was placed on a lower desk. The computer monitor is now at a good height. However, as you will note in picture 2, the student is pushing his shoulders up to type because the table is still too high for typing. A higher chair or an even lower desk is needed to resolve the problem.

Seat height

Case study

Concern

The student cannot type with her elbows level. The chair (1) is too low, but a higher one cannot be used due to the shelf under the desk (2). This shelf does not give the student enough leg room.

Solution

The shelf under the desk is easy to remove without damaging the table and a higher chair was available in the classroom.