Excel Interface utilization in automation of design Process of ergonomic classroom furniture for primary school pupils in Nigeria

Abstract

Usage of ergonomically unsuitable classroom chairs and desks promotes bad posture while bad postures affect students' learning, performance and health. Attention is rarely paid to ergonomic fitness of classroom chair and desk used by primary school pupils in Nigeria up till now. This study investigated classroom furniture status in the Staff School, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria and developed an automated procedure for designing ergonomically suitable chair cum desk model for the pupils' use. A total of 72 Pupils were randomly selected from primary one to six. Relevant dimensions of pupils and their furniture were collected and used in establishing mismatch. The pupil anthropometry data were incorporated in the design process for the model of classroom chair cum desk in use and the design process automated to encourage production of ergonomically suitable classroom furniture for the pupils in the University of Ibadan Staff School. The Result shows that the classroom furniture items offered to the pupils in the school are ergonomically inadequate despite the assumed awareness of its implication.