Awareness of Healthy Computer use and Computer Ergonomics among Pre-Service Teachers

• Published in: International journal of technology, knowledge and society Vol. 4; no. 1; pp. 19 - 30
• Main Authors: Odabasi, H. Ferhan, Bedir Eristi, Suzan Duygu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Champaign Common Ground Research Networks 01.01.2008
• Subjects: Colleges & universities; Computer use; Computers; Consciousness; Cues; Education; Educational attainment; Ergonomics; Females; Health; Health Problems; Higher education; Knowledge; Preservice teachers; Preservice training; Prevention; Risk; Students; Teachers
• ISSN: 1832-3669
• DOI: 10.18848/1832-3669/CGP/v04i01/55828

With the growing increase of computer use in education, there is an increasing concern about computer-related health problems. The lack of knowledge about healthy computer use and ergonomics cause computer-related health problems. Thus, it is important to train the computer users on healthy computer use. The current study aims to investigate the awareness of pre-service teachers regarding healthy computer use and the risks stemming from unhealthy use along with their knowledge of computer related ergonomics. A total of 526 pre-service teachers at a Turkish State University in Eskisehir participated in the current study. The data were collected in the spring semester of 2007. Computer Use and Ergonomics Evaluation Survey” (CUES) was developed by the authors of the current study to analyze the data. CUES consists of four different parts. The aim of the instrument is to investigate pre-service teachers’ awareness of healthy computer use, the risks stemming from unhealthy use, the prevalence of computer-related health problems among students, preventive strategies to avoid computer related health problems and the relationship between computer-related health awareness and several variables including gender, department, starting age to use computers and time spent with computers. Findings revealed the awareness of the majority of pre-service teachers surveyed in the current study is quite insufficient. Male participants reported to have higher awareness than females. Participants enrolled in the Computer Education Department had higher level of awareness in comparison to other departments. Those who start to use computer at an earlier age are found to be more aware of computer related health issues. Finally, the more they use computer the more they are aware of computer related health issues.