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Standing Desks in US Schools
A few schools in Minnesota are experimenting with standing desks in schools. Instead of the typical cramped desk that kids fidget at, these desks are much higher so that kids stand while using them. There's also a swinging footrest to put one foot.
The advantages touted are:
- More activity for kids, making them more attentive, less fidgety, and more awake
- Teachers don't have to bend way down to help students
Right now it's all an experiment with the kids being studied to see how well they respond to it. To be honest, I'm curious about trying this out as well. Eric uses a stand-up desk at home, but I'd be willing to experiment with a stand-up desk for all-day use. Has anyone else tried this?
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Comments
12 years ago
interesting take. but I know that if you stand for long preriods of time you develope blood clots in your calfs. In the long run these kids will have multiple leg problems like cramping, PAD and the like. not to mention the back problems these kids will develope. maybe if there was a seat that could be used so you stand sit to take pressure off your back and legs.
Reply 12 years ago
If you have a brain and looked at that stinken pic at the top of the page you dummy then you might see the tall chair right there then you might change you mind
Reply 12 years ago
Standing for long periods causes back problems? First I've heard of it... and there I was thinking you got back problems from sitting slumped/hunched in a chair for long periods. If the desks are at a sensible height and angle it will be better for the spine than sitting, surely? IANAphysiognomist so feel free to correct me but I thought having a vertical spine, either by sitting up with proper lumbar support or standing, was the best thing you could do for your back.
Reply 12 years ago
i agree with your seat idea, i had it myself. i was thinking if they put some sort of seat to just rest there butts on, they just wedge themselves there with the foot rest. im sure that makes NO sense, but think about it like your leaning up against the wall, maybe then you'll get it
Reply 12 years ago
No, sitting or lying down for long periods of time increases your risk for DVT, PAD and cramps. Not standing. I really don't believe there are any risks to this. After all, you're built to stand! It's just the way your body is engineered.
Reply 12 years ago
Like that guy that never sits or lays down on Ripleys believe it or not.
Reply 12 years ago
the best of all is not to sit / stand / whatever but to move if you stand less in school you want to move more after school hours
Reply 12 years ago
Most of the things you have listed there you could get while sitting down and if anything it should stop back problems as you can slouch easily in a chair however slouching standing up is not so easy. I like the idea and I think there would be big fights at first (as with any change) but in the long run it would be very beneficial.
Reply 12 years ago
totally agree with concerns heck if they want the kids to be higher they could just give them higher chairs (bar style)
12 years ago
go to www. standupforlearning.com to find out about this Alphabetter desk
12 years ago
I think this is a fabulous idea. As long as the students knew they must stay at their desk and all. It's best that they get this small bit of activity at school - P.E. is not very widespread these days and hardly enforced. And they need to be off their butts at some point during the day - chances are they're going straight home to sit at the TV or computer anyway! I think it could cause problems for handicapped students though - I wonder how they will address that. More and more schools aren't segregating the students anymore based on their abilities. Perhaps if those students were placed close to the teachers desk it would work. :)
Reply 12 years ago
Yeah, I'm curious to see where this goes and what the results are. I like that the one quote in the article admits that it's a fad for now, but it has potential. Long term, the classrooms would need more careful arrangement. Beyond handicapped students (isn't that a hated term?) teachers would need to be careful with heights of the kids to see. Could be solved with a platform if the school committed.
Reply 12 years ago
It very much is... hated, I mean. Sadly, the language in KY is not as progressive. I've actually only taken one class that used the proper terms. So I tend to revert to the same language I hear everyday. Most times they're only referred to as "ECE kids" in one of my current classes. :(
Reply 12 years ago
You. Didn't. Just. Bump. This.
Reply 12 years ago
You gotta problem with that mister? :P
Reply 12 years ago
So. What. If. I. Do.
Reply 12 years ago
I. Punch. You. In. Face. :D
Reply 12 years ago
(O_0)
Reply 12 years ago
Ow. That. Hurt.
Reply 12 years ago
Oh. Yes. She. Did.
Reply 12 years ago
No. Shay. Didn'!
Reply 12 years ago
She didnt, there are other posts between March 4th and February 25th
Reply 12 years ago
ehh....
Reply 12 years ago
Ed, the appropriate term would be "students with disabilities." The logic is thus: "handicapped" as an adjective implies that their disability is essential to their being, is all they are, and so on.
Using "with" or "has" (e.g., "he has a cognitive disability" vs. "he is mentally retarded") implies that it's merely one of a person's many features, like "men with beards" or "women with sensible shoes" ;->
The resources availble through "People First Language" can explain the logic much more clearly than I can.
Reply 12 years ago
Ah yes, I knew it was something like that, thanks.
12 years ago
Looks cool ! Its a good idea to have that little bar for the foot. I think i would get a bit tired though, and fat kids would be horrified! :P
Reply 12 years ago
I agree, and whats worse than mad fat kids is mad fat kid's lawyers...
Reply 12 years ago
fat kids (no offense) would not be able to afford lawyers cos they would just spend the money on food, as I said it is just a joke and no offense is or was intended.
Reply 12 years ago
Err well, its not funny cuz you said it was a joke, a small jk would have sufficed.
Reply 12 years ago
pika :D
Reply 12 years ago
HA!
12 years ago
If they end up doing this, some moron is going to put both feet on the bar, the bar will swing forward, and they'll fall down and crack there head open. That's just my way of saying that this is a bad idea.
Reply 12 years ago
I like that idea, for the people i hate that is...
Reply 12 years ago
lol i was thinking that too
12 years ago
yes who feels like standing 9 hours per day, 5 days a week also horray exercise, now i can weigh even less than i already do
Reply 12 years ago
If i weighed any more than I already do I would probably implode, lol im not anorexic, just very very thin.
12 years ago
Wow that looks very comfortable... :P
12 years ago
This information seems very interesting but, I think in the end it comes down to the kids and there opinions. The most trouble this might have is in public school life in cities because many kids complain about standing and find it as some sort of punishment. This idea on the hand so far seems good.
12 years ago
Bank Tellers stand up, and the office where I work will set up your cubicle with standing desks. I notice that the people who work at standing desks are all slimmer than me and have lots of energy. I'm the one who sits, and I'm the one with chronic back pain. Seems like standing desks would make sense, worse things than staying awake in class.
12 years ago
OK let me start by saying this is a suckish idea if you read other comments they said all the wrong thing that can go wrong with you students will get tired easy here don't get it stand up 8 hours a day 5 days a week for 9 months then tell me what a fabulous idea this is.
12 years ago
If you go to schools in the Army and fall asleep, they make you stand up. But we always got a good nights sleep the night before so there was no excuse to fall asleep (sarcasm)
12 years ago
In our school library, our computers are all stand up. They are easy access and I can easily move from one place to the other. However, some days I prefer to sit down.
12 years ago
It looks like being in shop class, art, or drafting class all day. Drafting before computers came along anyways.
Reply 12 years ago
actually, their are schools that still has drating as a class. I don't know if they have computers or not though.
12 years ago
It looks like there are stools behind the students, so sitting is probably an option. As a professional writer, I spend a lot of time at my computer, and have always wanted a variable height desk that would make it possible for me to alternate sitting and standing. It's on my wish list!
Reply 12 years ago
You mean aurthor?
Reply 12 years ago
There are stools in the photos, but it's still much more of a standing posture than the regular chairs.
At home I use a Safco Sitstar stool and love it.
http://shopping.aol.com/sit-star-yellow-stool-6660ye/94378009/details
12 years ago
My understanding of it is that they have the choice to stand or sit. I think the desks are adjustable. It would definitely behoove the teachers to make sure the kids are getting the appropriate amount of sitting vs. standing time to avoid health issues, but I think it's a great idea. We should adopt this idea at the workplace!!
12 years ago
Ugh, my feet would be killing me after a day at school. I'm sure it would do a lot to curb fidgeting and inattentiveness, though.
Reply 12 years ago
Yes, indeed. Your feet would be killing you the first couple of days, but after that it's really great. The last time I had to do substantial machining projects (okay, that was ten years ago...) I was in awful shape the first three days. The following Monday, it was great and I went the whole week with no problems at all.