--- Forwarded Message from Joan Costello <[log in to unmask]> ---
>Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 14:03:39 -0500
>From: Joan Costello <[log in to unmask]>
>Organization: UMBC - International Media Center
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: #6914.5 Language lab design question (!)
>References: <[log in to unmask]>
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At UMBC, as Victor may have mentioned, we have the monitors installed in the
desk so it is flat desktop (NOVA desk). Most of our students love them. I only
remember one person complaining because she did not have good neck mobility.
They are very neat, good sight line to the teacher, provide good writing area.
Glare is a problem - we took out most of the flourescents and have halogen
lights installed around the room and some incandescent lights around the desk
area. This is enough light for students to work easily. You would need reduced
lighting for a dataprojector anyway which we have at the front of the lab
area. The desk did come with a glare reducer top but it looked like a trash
can lid so we haven't used it. You mention ergonomics - students can easily
adjust their chair heights to help with some of that. I have a monitor on my
desktop and sometimes I feel neck strain from looking up. One drawback is that
it is not easy to see for 2 people to share. Also we started out with 14"
monitors and now have 17" in 2/3 of them and I would say 17" is a must. We have
had a few people inadvertently dim the brightness with their knees but people
haven't complained about anything being really cramped. The lab is used as a
teaching facilty most of the time so students aren't here for long periods of
time but we have our regulars that use open spaces all the time. We've been
happy with the arrangement.
LLTI-Editor wrote:
> --- Forwarded Message from Jack Burston <[log in to unmask]> ---
>
> >User-Agent: Microsoft-Entourage/9.0.1.3108
> >Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 00:17:59 -0500
> >Subject: Re: #6914.4 Language lab design question (!)
> >From: Jack Burston <[log in to unmask]>
> >To: <[log in to unmask]>
> >In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>
>
> Dear Victor,
>
> Firstly, many thanks for the tip about the interiorconcepts website.
>
> On the matter of keeping video displays below the line of sight, unless you
> have something else in mind, this requires recessing the units below the
> desktop with some type of (plexi)glass covering. In the labs where I've
> seen this type of installation, those using it would not recommend it (or
> equivalently do it again themselves) because of two major problems. The
> first (with CRT displays at least) was light glare, even when the units are
> fitted with protective hoods. The second problem was that of ergonomics.
> Recessed screens are quite a distance away and, worse, the downward viewing
> angle can be quite tiring. I've never seen this done with LCD monitors,
> though I wouldn't image the problem would be any less. I also ran into the
> problem of my legs banging into the under-desk well that housed the monitor.
> Presumably this would be less of a problem with LCD monitors.
> If you, or other colleagues, have found a good solution to these
> difficulties, I'd love to hear from you. Jack Burston
--
Joan Costello
UMBC
Coordinator, International Media Center
1000 Hilltop Circle
AC IV, Room 219
Baltimore, Md. 21250
410-455-3685
[log in to unmask]
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