Feel Better, Learn Better: How Simple Changes Can Support Student Wellbeing

Hybrid Learning

In a hybrid learning environment, students are likely taking in a lot of information on screens. Whether they’re on a tablet at home or at the back of the classroom watching their teacher’s every move on an IFP, most K-12 students now get nearly 8 hours of daily screen time. Here are some ways to address the ergonomic challenges a hybrid learning environment presents:

Ergonomic tips:

• Rest eyes with the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds, to help eye muscles relax. 

• Adjust font sizes on tablets as needed to avoid eyestrain.

• Place screens perpendicular to windows to banish glare and make viewing easier.

• Place screens at eye level, especially during longer viewing periods. If students have to tilt their head forward just 10 to 15 degrees to look down at a screen, the strain on their neck and shoulders doubles.^{Hansraj, Kenneth. (2014). Assessment of stresses in the cervical spine caused by posture and position of the head - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25393825/}

• Find solutions that can bring screens to the optimal position, and use high-quality cameras to enhance visual lessons.

Solutions that can help:

• The Logitech Rugged Combo Keyboard Case has five versatile use modes that can put tablets in the optimal position for comfort depending on where students are. If the tablet is on a desk, using the steeper angle on the stand can lift the screen up and decrease head tilt. 

• The Logitech Scribe Whiteboard Camera and Logitech Reach Adjustable Content Camera both show non-digital content with outstanding clarity. This can help prevent students from craning their heads forward to see better on their screens or from the back of the classroom.

Individual Learning

Throughout the school day, students often spend time learning individually. For example, some students might open a reading app on their devices and each go through the same lesson at the same time. But high levels of classroom noise may negatively affect them in this case.^{Shield, B; Connolly, D; Dockrell, J; Cox, T; Mydlarz, C; Conetta, R; (2018) The impact of classroom noise on reading comprehension of secondary school pupils. In: ACOUSTICS 2018. (pp. pp. 236-244). Institute of Acoustics} The World Health Organization recommends that classroom noise stay under 35 decibels for optimal learning, but the average classroom is twice as loud. An optimal ergonomic setup ensures students aren’t distracted or uncomfortable when they’re learning by themselves.

Ergonomic tips:

• Use headsets to keep students from craning their heads forward to hear audio from devices.

• Adjust headset volume to 75 db or less (no more than 60% of maximum volume), to prevent hearing damage.

Solutions that can help:

• The Logitech Zone Learn Wired Headset has audio drivers tuned for vocal clarity rather than music, to help students hear instructional content easily. In a performance study of K-6 students, 90% of students said they felt confident in their performance while using the Epic reading app with Zone Learn.^{Logitech & Epic (2023). 6-week performance study of 54 K-6 students.}

• The headset’s ultra-soft comfort layer and micro-articulating ear cups provide a snug, comfortable fit, and the mic designed for vocal pickup allows students to be heard without raising their voices. That means more sustained learning and less classroom noise getting in the way.