In this era of portable devices, it’s easy to ignore the issue of setting up a place to work. Though a change of venue is nice occasionally, it is also important to have a place to “go to school.”

Try to find a work space that is quiet, well lit, and free from visual distractions. If possible, clear the wall area around your computer area to make space for calendars, handouts, and other course materials you might want to display. A comfortable chair such as a bean bag type in the corner of the work room will provide a cozy spot for offline reading.

If possible, your computer keyboard should be placed on a desk or table that keep you from having to extend your reach up or down when typing. Your forearms should be approximately parallel to the floor for maximum comfort when keying. Often an adjustable height chair will enable this position, or you might even saw off the legs of an inexpensive table. This University of Pittsburgh environmental health and safety article will give you more details about the ergonomics of your workstation.

Here are some examples of nice workstations:

If you would like to share a photo of your workstation on this posting, please leave a comment so I can contact you. Do you have any tips for creating a good K-12 work space at home?