Active learning ideas
Health, Safety, and Ergonomics focuses on the human element of technology use. Students examine how workstation setup, lighting, and posture affect long-term physical health. This topic aligns with Irish health and safety regulations, preparing students for the responsibilities of both employers and employees in a modern office environment.
Activity 01
In pairs, one student acts as an office worker with poor posture, and the other acts as a consultant who must 'fix' their workstation using a checklist.
How should a workstation be set up?
Activity 02
Place photos of various 'messy' or unsafe workstations around the room. Students circulate and identify hazards like trailing cables or poor lighting on a worksheet.
What are the risks of poor posture?
Activity 03
Groups research different methods to prevent eye strain and repetitive strain injury (RSI). They create a one-page digital poster to teach these tips to the rest of the school.
How can we reduce eye strain?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Ergonomics is only about how you sit in a chair.
Explain that it also includes monitor height, keyboard position, lighting, and taking regular breaks. A simulation where students adjust multiple variables at a desk helps broaden this view.
If it doesn't hurt now, the setup is fine.
Discuss how repetitive strain injuries (RSI) develop over time. Use a 'future-self' role play to show the long-term impact of poor habits today.
Methods used in this brief