The Split Module is an adjustable height workstation developed by System Shawtec and covered by an Australian Design Registration with IP AUSTRALIA.

The workstation can be set up at a number of working heights. Whats more, the front and rear sections of the desk are independent, allowing for a variety of applications in classroom computing.

Side view with 15" screen showing how the screen is viewed when in the lowered position.

Teacher- Student Eye Contact

Computing in a learning environment often requires the students to view a demonstraion screen or a whiteboard at the front of the room. There is a conflict between optimum position of the screen and eye contact with the teacher.

The SPLIT series provides a means to lower the screen height so that students can see over the top of the monitors.

Adjustment of the front and rear sections is in 50 mm increments, starting at 520mm. It is practical to have the screen at a level up to 150mm lower than the keyboard level. This allows for the bottom of the screen to be visible above the back edge of the desk.

A desk to suit adults may have a front section at 670mm and a rear section at 520mm. Less adjustment is possible as desk height is reduced and at 520mm only a single level is possible.

Screens can also be elevated in relation to the keyboard level. This is preferred if it does not restrict visibility and eye contact with the instructor and others in the room. It is common to have the screen 100mm to 150 mm higher than the keyboard so that the top of the screen is level with the height of the eyes.

"There is no CORRECT screen height, especially when students of varying sizes are in an instructor led teaching environment.". - Carole Shaw, Occupational Therapist

The ergonomics of viewing a monitor screen at desk height or lower are acceptable. Posture is similar to that coresponding to working with materials spread out on a desk of similar dimension.

At the other extreme is a screen placed too high which causes the user to bend their head back and look upwards. The human body has a natural tendency to view an area from the horizontal to directly down in front of us. This is mainly because when we walk we need to provide the brain with information about where to step. It is rare and unnatural to look up. Monitors that are too high should be avoided since the head has to be tilted back and the eye muscles extended to extreme positions leading to eye strain and fatigue.

Desks can be set at any of the eight levels to accomodate both sitting and standing applications. In the upper height range, the desks are used by people standing for access to library catalogues etc. For the upper settings, it is common to have the monitor lower since it makes the installation less visually obtrusive and also brings the screen closer the the line of sight with notes or keyboard.

Two Examples of Split module settings.

  SPECIFICATIONS

Desk top, legs and modesty panel are all 18mm double sided melamine faced particle board. The edges are finished in impact resistant PVC T- edge. The standard module allows for 8 desk top height settings: 520mm, 570mm, 620mm, 670mm, 720mm,770 and 820mm. Available in Seal Grey.

SPLIT desks are designed to function as single user stations or in rows. The height settings can vary from one station to the next. In one room there can be desks set to different heights to accomodate students of varying sizes. They can also be set to accomodate wheelchairs. Depending on the style of computer equipment, different junction modules are selected to join the modules together.