Good Morning! We are an ergonomics firm...and we are always looking for new, innovative products to carry, In my search today, I happened across your site. I am wondering how adjustable your desk are. Are users able to adjust the monitor and keyboard surfaces to the appropriate, individualized heights? If not, I am interested in how these desks are "ergonomic."

This question and the following response underscores the importance of developing the concept of Learning Ergonomics so we can more fully understand the dynamic of the learning environment.

Hi - By "ergonomic" we assume that you refer not just to the prevention of CTDs, RSIs and MSDs, but to achieving an ideal and optimal physiological interaction between humans and their environment (and we use and espouse this definition) - our desks are specifically designed to provide correct ergonomic support for Computer Based Training.

Why? Because neck and shoulder strain as a result of shifting attention from the computer screen to the projection screen or in trying to make eye contact with the instructor or fellow students is far more debilitating then wrist and shoulder strain from intensive keyboarding/mousing in the classroom environment.

Just as we wouldn't recommend the use of an archer's wrist brace to support a computer user with carpal tunnel (or vice versa), we don't recommend (and don't market) our products for use in office or home environments. They are designed for the classroom, tested in the classroom and constantly evolving to meet the needs of continually changing technology.

The absence of adjustability is designed into - not omitted from - our products. Each order is cut specifically to enable custom assembly to accommodate age range and body type as well as monitor and CPU type and size, and is designed not to be handed, but to accommodate any dexterity.

Our experience has shown that 10 to 15% of a typical class period may be spent readjusting adjustable workstations while actual computer time is less than 25% of the total instruction session. It would be like having to readjust the height of a cafeteria chair to each individuals height for lunch - each person might achieve more comfort, but they'd be left with less time to eat and dizzy from watching each other spin up and down in the chairs.

Speaking of chairs, we do rely on the pneumatically adjustable task chair to help fit the user to the desk ("spin-lift" for younger students) - with adjustable arm rests and foot rests for classes lasting over two hours. Remember that the focus is on learning, not work productivity, so the activities and, hence, the risks are much different (so we keep the adjustability to a minimum, the paddles short to prevent snagging and minimize tilt action to avoid too much perpetual movement in the lower grade levels).

An additional amount of ergonomic intent went into the designs to meet the needs of overburdened IT staff who must service and maintain the equipment. Rear access panels, wire management systems and even a free-standing desk chassis enabling full removal of the desktop to allow for a wholesale change of equipment or network re-wiring.

This is not to say that we are unaware of the possibilities...

All but the smallest desks and lecterns are available with fully articulated sit-stand adjustable keyboards and left/right autonomously adjustable mouse pad platforms. But these come at a price that most institutions and corporations are unwilling or unable to justify and there are no cheap alternatives that work. In the same vein, we can supply motorized monitor lifts and adjustable height work surfaces, but, again, what is the justification in the learning environment? Why add unnecessary and costly "bells and whistles" and hype to cloud the real issue - will it enhance learning?