Earnest Parenting » Home Schooling

Ergonomic Solutions for Homeschooling Laptop Users

Melissa Cameron — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:10:22 +0000

Almost everyone nowadays owns a laptop. The only problem with this is that most people are never taught the proper ergonomic techniques associated with owning one. It can be unhealthy for your wrists and joints if you are not properly positioned when using your laptop. It can lead to even more severe health issues down the road. Luckily, all of this mayhem can be avoided if you follow the guidelines presented in this article.

Ergonomic Solution #1: Docking Stations

Laptops are meant for portability. This is evident in the fact that they have crammed keyboard spacing, tiny monitors, and small tap boards to scroll and click with. Everything about a laptop is designed for efficiency and functionality. However, these luxuries don’t come without a price. An excellent ergonomic solution for handling this problem is to purchase a docking station for your laptop.

Basically, docking stations allow you to plug up your device to a regular desktop computer which already has a mouse and keyboard built into it. From there, you would need to still use proper ergonomic techniques but it would still be much easier than working on your laptop for extended periods of time. While this is a very effective alternative to simply using your laptop, it can also cost quite a bit of money; which is why we are going to give you another solution.

Ergonomic Solution #2: Separate Accessories

If you are someone who is on a budget and don’t want to go to a back pain specialist, then the next viable option would be to purchase a separate keyboard and mouse for your laptop. This way, you can simply go ahead and use your laptop like a regular computer. Note that you will still have to deal with the small screen, but at least you have several other ergonomic problems taken care of. Again, if you are looking for a solid solution which doesn’t cost that much, then this is something you should definitely consider.

Common Problems with Laptops

As we’ve previously discussed, what makes a laptop so attractive is the fact that they are small and portable. You can pretty much take them anywhere without worrying about them taking up too much space. As a result, they often promote several ergonomic problems. For one, there is the issue of keyboard spacing. Keys tend to be very scrunched up on a laptop (a lot closer than a regular keyboard). Hand cramps are the most common side effect to this. There we have monitor size- which is much smaller in relation to a desktop computer. This forces the user to strain their eyes and neck by having to lean in more often to see the screen.

The next problem is that the monitor cannot be moved or adjusted like a regular computer’s can. You are very limited when it comes to ergonomically correcting this area. The best thing you can do is adjust your monitor so that it sits at spot which doesn’t require you to do too much bending at the neck. Finally, we have the issue of small pointers.

Laptops don’t come with a mouse so instead, they offer tiny touch pads or dots which allow you to control the cursor on your monitor. For anyone who has ever used a laptop, you know how difficult and frustrating they can be when you are using them for extended periods of time. They can also cause tons of unnecessary stress on fingers, hands, and wrists.

Conclusion

In general, laptop ergonomics is about being as comfortable as you possibly can. You don’t’ want to “force” yourself or your children into certain positions for extended periods of time. This is the number one for sure way to injure your body. Simply make sure that your neck and head sit evenly compared to your laptop screen and that your wrists are sitting naturally on the keyboard. Never slant or slant them upwards or downwards as you would on a regular computer.

About the Author

Melissa Cameron discovered the Internet in 2003 and has been freelance writing ever since. She lives in Austin Texas with her family and she is currently writing a series of articles on back pain and the importance of developing an ergonomic work space with the help of a California Chiropractor specializing in lower back pain in Sacramento.

Earnest Parenting: help for laptop users who don’t want to go to the back specialist.

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TechnoBoy Goes to School

Amy LeForge — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:56:02 +0000

So. Being that I’m the parent of two 13-year-olds, we’ve been experiencing a lot of teen angst around here. Usually every summer follows a similar pattern: we’re all sick of each other by June, but we have lots of fun and togetherness (and some time apart) and we’re back to loving each other by September when school begins.

This year, we clearly were not following that pattern. The whole summer was just brutal with controversy and disrespect and far too much arguing. I looked at the boys in August and said, “You don’t respect me. How can you learn from someone you don’t respect? I think you need to go to public school.”

The Mercenary said no way. He’s not going to take that risk. TechnoBoy on the other hand, said, “Yea. I can do that.”

I actually didn’t believe him and was taken by surprise a few weeks later when he said something in passing about going. As it turned out, the next day was Open House, so we hurriedly enrolled in the early afternoon, and by evening he was all scheduled and walking around the building meeting his new teachers.

I’ve never been the parent of a public school student before, so this has all been quite new. I went to public schools all my life and taught in them for 8 years, so it’s not completely foreign. But seeing it from this perspective is so totally different! I felt nauseous and short of breath for a few days, and I cried at Open House.

Note: The crying was related to far more going on than just him going to school. The dishwasher broke, the microwave died, the repairman didn’t show up TWICE-and I waited 4 hours for him each time, ten cavities were found in various boys’ mouths, I ended up getting a complete allergy testing and exam instead of just a quick check-in with the doc, during which appointment the phone rang from boys no less than 12 times so they could complain and fight…It was a terrible horrible no-good very bad week.

While we were walking around meeting teachers that night, it felt very…right to be doing this. Because it was my boy’s choice and not mine, and because he was so easily fitting in with all the friends and parents he already knows, the transition hasn’t been very difficult at all. Granted, he’s had some stressed moments, and there are sure to be difficulties to come; but that happens no matter where you are in life.

I’m super proud of my boy. He took a risk and he’s doing well. I’m glad he’s getting a chance to shine without his twin overshadowing. He’s getting to have his own identity. Last night he brought home some papers and The Mercenary took it upon himself to read through them and critique everything. I pulled TechnoBoy aside and told him, “If you play your cards right, he’ll do your homework for you!” Then we shared a laugh. Editorial note: it wasn’t homework, it was just class notes that TM was reading. No homework was performed by the wrong person. Thank you.

So yea. I am now the parent of a public school student.

I do miss having him home though.

Earnest Parenting: help for parents whose kids go from homeschool to public school.

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Cooperation Is Such a Joy

Amy LeForge — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 16:53:41 +0000

I’ve been a bit of a bummer lately I think, complaining about stress and a new school year and so on. So today?? Good news! I’m seeing some cooperation! We’re stopping for lunch shortly with almost everyone done with half their schoolwork. Several things have contributed to this happy state.

I made them daily checklists. We did this last year as well. I’ve been putting a daily list of tasks on the marker board this month, but finally got the schedule typed out for each boy to have at his desk. Then when a task is done he can cross it off himself as well as have a visual of what is coming every day. I hadn’t gotten this typed out sooner because I was trying to get the new grading program to do it for me. I know it will; I just have to learn how to use it better. For now, the old standby is good.
I started timing myself teaching. TechnoBoy and The Mercenary are consummate experts at wasting time. It’s epic, let me tell you. I am very good at getting off-track myself and have lengthened many a lesson with an interesting conversation. I whipped out the stopwatch this morning, taught a lesson, and then said, “There, see?? 14 minutes. That’s how long I took to teach this item.” TechnoBoy in particular was impressed, and I took the opportunity to point out that focused work means faster work.
The boys chose to work independently today. By this I mean that when I said, “You practice the piano while you do your cursive,” they actually did it. Up until now there’s been a lot of doing work when your twin does, which makes for lots of wasted time waiting for the other guy to catch up.
TechnoBoy listened to me when I said that taking a break would be a bad idea because he doesn’t notice how much time he’s taking and the day slides past too quickly. Instead, he buckled right down and did his assigned work. He’s the first one done!!! I’m so proud.
The younger boys relaxed especially in their spelling lesson. We changed to a dramatically different program this year and it was really hard on them to make that change. But they’re doing it, their spelling is visibly improving, and they’re starting to have fun with the program.

I’m off to lunch, singing a happy song.

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September School Update: We’re Surviving

Amy LeForge — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 05:25:03 +0000

In typical September tradition, I’m here to tell you how we’re doing with homeschooling so far. The older boys are now in 7th grade, while the younger ones are in 3rd. We got delayed by my knee injury last winter so they didn’t finish 2nd and 6th grade work until well into August. We took a few weeks off, then started anew 2 weeks ago.

As usual, we’re doing better this year than last. That still includes a good deal of stress for everyone. Being able to get up and do what you want daily is a lot more fun than waking up to the knowledge that school is in session. For the older boys in particular, the demands are higher this year; every year closer to high school means more independence for them. They’re still figuring out what each subject requires and this has caused some heartache for TechnoBoy. He’s had a few moments of total frustration over the work load. There’s only one additional subject this year, and that’s Bible study. 15 minutes per day is enough to get that done. The big thing that’s tripping him up is the work completion. I didn’t do a good job of tracking them daily last year so when they got behind I would find out days or weeks later and make adjustments accordingly. This year I’m checking more frequently. He got behind last week and was pretty frustrated to find that the work had to be done.

He tried to just take a failing grade, but failed. Poor guy. What it really comes down to for him is that final ‘click’. He just needs to shift into gear and relax into the idea that schoolwork is going to be there and he’s going to do it. You’d think after being on this planet 12 years he’d have that one down, but he doesn’t. I feel like he’s close though. More than once we enjoyed our way through a lesson together. He just needs to get the assignment parts figured out. I have one or two more tricks up my sleeve.

The first week of history found them writing several half-page summaries of historical figures from the English Civil War. Since we haven’t done a lot of formal writing up until now (long story), this was a lot. At one point The Mercenary looked at me and said quietly, “You have no idea how difficult this is.”

I offered as much sympathy as I could. The truth is I know exactly how difficult it is. I used to hate writing as well, and remember my mother having to help me get motivated to force words on to the page. That doesn’t make him feel any better though, so I left it at “Yea buddy, I really do know.” The fantastic news is they both finished the work, and when a new summary was assigned the next week, life didn’t seem so hard. This week we’re going to implement a daily deadline to help people stay on track and not wander aimlessly about.

The younger boys are adjusting along as well as they can. They didn’t like changing from the summer schedule to the school one; if they’d just notice how much free time they really have been enjoying anyway that would be great. They believe that they’re fantastically overworked, which isn’t exactly what’s happening. They just need to settle into a regular routine and I think they’ll be comfortable.

I’ve been feeling like I was drowning these past few weeks. Keeping boys on track is a lot like herding cats, and we’re heavy into a full soccer season with 3 of them, Tae Kwon Do with the other, Scouts and church and oh my. It’s crazy. That’s why the daily deadline is getting so important. We’ve got to have a cutoff time for school so that I can get the house cleaned and food cooked, not to mention do some writing. I haven’t been able to focus enough energy on the blog here the past few weeks. Hopefully that will change.

So that’s it. Drowning in work but plugging along. Hopefully by this time next week there will be more breathing and less drowning around here.

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Steps Toward Success in Homeschooling: The Schedule

Amy LeForge — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 06:55:53 +0000

Sooooo. To continue with improvements we’re trying to make around here let’s talk about item number two: the schedule. Up until 2 weeks ago the general plan was to wake up when we wake up in the morning, then roll with school after breakfast. The burden was on me to get the boys to get started working, and then to urge them to continue all day. This? Was not fun.

I believe that children should be allowed to sleep as long as their bodies need to sleep. Hubby is pretty firm about bedtime every night, so if the boys need to sleep longer before we get working, I try to let them. We started seeing more chatter after bedtime, with boys awake much later. That translated into sleeping later in the morning. See above paragraph about me shepherding people through their responsibilities every day.

Love and Logic says that the child should be the one responsible for their mistakes. A child in public school pays a price if they stay up too late; it was difficult to get that same result at home. And let’s face it, I like to be up late and sleep in myself.

I’ve tried all sorts of schedules and lists in the past and they all eventually fell apart. Yes, I probably had a lot to do with that. The stakes are higher now. So, a schedule was made. I wrote up the younger boys’ plan, then handed it to the older ones so they could make up their own. We now have a strictish starting time every morning, and planned break and playtimes. It doesn’t matter what we’re working on, the clock rules. So if we get to recess and they’re in the middle of something, they’re still allowed to rush outside and enjoy the weather.

Also, we quit at 1:30 every day. Even if they haven’t gotten all their work done, that’s the end of school. I explained that this means they’ll most likely work into the summer, but those summer days will be like the ones we’re having now: relaxed. The boys assure me they’re fine with this plan.

I like this plan. The boys seem to like this plan. The next few months will definitely test whether it was wise or not. Up until now I’ve been working like crazy to keep the boys moving through their schoolwork so as to be done when all their friends are done for the summer. The problem with that is the public schools measure their year based on how many minutes children are in school. I measure the year based on the children completing the work assigned for each subject. There’s no way to compete with the public school’s plan. If they get to the end of their minutes without finishing a book, the year ends anyway.

I think the new schedule balances that out a bit. We’ll see what it feels like in June.

Earnest Parenting: advice for homeschooling parents.

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