Abstract:

The 21st Century learning environment is constantly evolving with the development of new pedagogies and technologies. Within the high school learning environment, pedagogies are evolving to focus on individual and flexible learning. The ergonomics and anthropometrics of an environment greatly influence how individuals interact with space and objects. This study aims to evaluate the ergonomic and anthropometric accommodations for individuals in the learning environment. The primary goal of this study is to identify gaps that exists in the ergonomic accommodations, to identify the trends in students’ preferences for ergonomically designed furniture.

To begin this study, first the researchers for this study sought to understand the value of ergonomics and anthropometrics in the high school learning environment. Through literature review, these researchers found that many ergonomic studies have identified issues with high school furniture. In conjunction with that, no evidence was found that indicated quantitative data on how ergonomically correct furniture for high school students could improve their performance academically. In a further attempt to understand the situation, these researchers analyzed furniture designed for the educational environment, with the focus on the contemporary high school teaching and learning environments. Their furniture analysis indicated that there is a lack of ergonomically designed furniture, leading the researchers to investigate further, where the gap may exist in the market.

To identify these gaps, these researchers conducted further qualitative and quantitative studies including observations of high school teaching and learning environment and user observations and interviews, as well as developing and distributing a survey among high school students. These researchers found that the high school students desire comfortable, more adjustable and ergonomically designed furniture. They also found that there is a lack of variety in furniture within the classroom setting. In this paper, these researchers will share their detailed findings.

Keywords:

Ergonomics, Anthropometrics, High School, Students, Classroom, Education Design, Educational Environment Design.