Computer Lab Furniture Considerations
By: Chris Stormer
Computer lab furniture designed for educational use must combine value with high performance. Computer desks must be height adjustable and durable enough to endure endless hours of use, as any piece of classroom furniture must. Computer desk chairs should be easy to adjust and withstand height adjustment on a daily basis. Top-of-the-line computer lab furniture is ergonomically designed to promote comfort and good posture, and to prevent fatigue. While ergonomic chairs and computer desks are integral in any work environment, it is an especially important feature in the design of classroom computer lab furniture.
Younger Students
Classroom computer furniture is often easy to find for high schools and universities, but furnishing an elementary school computer lab is often much more of a challenge. Institutions specializing in early education are responding to the need to expose young students to computers, teaching them basic functions and motor skills, but the furniture industry has done little to keep up with the evolution of early education curriculum.
Computer furniture for young children must be designed differently than workstations for older, taller students. Considerations must be made for basic height and reach, so the desks and seats must be low and comfortable. Keyboard trays must adjust for smaller hands and be devoid of any parts that could pinch tiny fingers. Platforms should be tough and resistant to markings from pens, crayons and markers. Storage shelves and CPU platforms should be locking to prevent inadvertent damage to expensive equipment. Cords and cables should be secured with a top-quality wire management system to avoid cables being pulled out, or worse yet, equipment being pulled off desks. Additional safety-tested LCD mounts should be installed to prevent the possibility of monitors being pushed off or falling. Aside from the integral safety features, computer furniture for young students should come in a variety of exciting, eye-popping colors to enhance enthusiasm and creativity.
Aiding in the Learning Process
Classroom table features can aid in the learning process for children. Studies in ergonomics have shown that ergonomically correct computer tables and classroom desks have a positive effect on helping students learn. Classroom tables that are well-designed and properly adjusted to the height and reach of the individual user are more comfortable, and therefore, reduce fatigue. Students of all ages tend to stay more focused on acquiring knowledge when they’re not experiencing signs of fatigue, such as muscle pain, poor posture or strain associated with repetitive motion. Specially designed features of classroom furniture can minimize fatigue and increase productivity, actually decreasing the overall time a student spends sitting in front of the computer. Quicker turnaround time for computer lab users, means more availability of computers, and a lessened risk of CTS (carpal tunnel syndrome- a painful condition brought on by excessive keyboard use).
Classroom table features should include adjustable keyboard trays that maneuver easily and quickly; height adjustable platforms and seats; adjusting LCD arms with a wide degree of rotation; strong, scratch-resistant laminated surfaces; a secure wire management system; and a well-made, protective CPU holder. Additional features can include multi-user workstations, additional LCD display arms, tiltable work surfaces, and the addition of locking casters so that computer desks and classroom tables can be quickly and effortlessly moved and reconfigured.
Multi-User Desks
Computer tables in educational computer lab environments need to be multifunctional. Computer desks need to save space, adjust to the height of multiple users, and be designed with safety in mind to prevent trip hazards from computer cords.
The best space-saving type of computer table for this environment is a multi-user desk where two students can work side by side. The tables should have adjustable keyboard trays to fit the ergonomic specifications for each user, and the computer trays must be durable enough to withstand constant adjustment each time a new user sits down at the computer desk. These tray tables should adjust to height and reach, and have the ability to slide into the computer desk when not in use.
The computer desk itself should have a secure shelf to house the computer to prevent it from being kicked or knocked around. Computer cords should fit neatly into openings on the computer desktop to avoid being accidentally pulled out. The computer table’s surface must be wide enough to securely hold the computer monitor at user’s eye level. Adjustable shelves are ideal, as a sturdy computer desk will long outlast computer equipment upgrades, allowing for differences in hardware size.
Enclosed Computer Tables
Enclosed computer tables come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Dozens of manufacturers produce them, and they range from very cheap to extremely expensive. So how do you know which kind is the best for your school’s computer lab? Ask these questions before shopping for an enclosed computer desk.
1. Do you need a table that can accommodate one or two users?
2. Do you want the ability to add casters for easier mobility?
3. Do you want a desk that has a CPU holder already installed?
4. Do you want the ability to upgrade to better accessories?
5. Would you like the option of customizing your table?
6. Is a scratch-resistant surface an important feature?
7. Would you like a built-in cable management system?
8. Would you prefer a product manufactured in the U.S.?
9. Would you like to have a choice in colors?
10. Do you want a product that is guaranteed for life?
11. Would you like to pay nothing for shipping?
12. Would you like the paint on your table to be chip-resistant?
Custom Computer Lab Furniture
Another alternative is custom computer lab furniture, which may be exactly what your school needs. Most people assume that custom furniture is expensive and can’t be affordable if they’re working with a limited budget. But for a lot of schools, customized pieces save them money in the long run.
How can you save money by customizing PC workstations? Look at it this way--when furnishing a computer lab, most schools choose the most basic table designs. Most often, these computer desks can be utilized by only one user at a time. Customized tables can support two to four users at the same time, so space is maximized. This is particularly useful in educational environments, because increased class sizes equates into more revenue. In addition, basic computer lab desks often do one thing: hold a computer. Buyers must then also purchase printer carts, extra shelving, additional CPU holders, etc. By customizing your furniture, you get exactly what you want. Need a workstation that supports two CPUs and four monitors? Done. Need tables that can be easily moved and configured? Done. Need workstations with height-adjustable or tilting surfaces and articulating keyboard arms? Done, done, done.
Custom computer lab furniture isn’t only tailored to fit the functional needs of the individual buyer, but it’s much more economical to choose furniture that fits in with the overall decor of an existing room than to have to redecorate after buying furniture. For the most part, customers should have complete control over the design of the furniture because they’re the ones that have to use it day in and day out. Why make do with something that doesn’t fit all of your needs, when you could be happy with something that does?
Chris Stormer is the director of marketing at Versa Products.
Sidebar
Case Study
Computer Lab Software Enhances Teaching
When Rick Farnsworth came on board as the technology coordinator for St. Charles Borromeo School in Pt. Charlotte, Florida, in 2001, the school had limited network capability, with approximately 25 computers on campus.
“Our new wing was in the process of being completed, and it included a technology lab with 35 computers and a media center with 18 computers,” said Farnsworth. “Once the computers were set up, it was obvious that we needed some type of software to help control and view the computers in the computer lab.”
Initially, the school chose one software solution, but started the evaluation process again after two years, when the original software didn’t give them the options and flexibility they needed.
“I received a demo of NetSupport School and was completely blown away with the capabilities and functions that were built in to the program,” he said. “We also looked at a hardware solution, but due to budget constraints, NetSupport was the most cost-effective, feature-rich way to go.”
When asked about the specific advantages of NetSupport, Farnsworth specifically pointed to all of the features offered by this software.
“The ability to power on/off all machines from one location, blank and/or lock the keyboard and mouse, launch applications on all machines at once, co-browse with students, and to show my screen to all students at once were some of the reasons we originally purchased NetSupport,” he said. “What is great is that each year, they add more functionality into their software, which is included for free, provided you have the support contract.”
Farnsworth believes that NetSupport has made the teaching aspect in the computer lab much easier.
“When you need the students’ attention, you can get it by locking their computers,” he said. “You have the ability to see what each student is doing from one screen, which is wonderful.”
Farnsworth has some good advice for other schools as they select and implement this type of software in their own schools.
“Try to compare everything that is out on the market,” he said.
