Discusses the importance of knowing the psychological environment of individuals in order to plan effective social change. (SB)

Surveyed are 53 techniques for measuring human physical characteristics and emotional responses in the belief that problems should be solved on the basis of what is good for people.'' (BL)

Describes an interactive data retrieval system which was designed and implemented for casual users and which incorporates a user-friendly interface, aids to train beginners in use of the system, versatility in output, and error recovery protocols. A 14-item reference list and two figures illustrating system operation and output are included. (JL)

Eleven photographs confirm that permitting ergonomic options of foot placement and body posture pays off in improved student attention. (MLF)

Notes environmental factors affecting adult learning situations: territoriality, seating arrangements, sightlines, and equipment. A checklist for conducting a space audit includes features inside and outside the classroom. (SK)

A comprehensive development process for display design, focusing on computer-generated cathode ray tube (CRT) displays is presented. A framework is created for breaking the display into its component parts, used to guide the design process. The objective is to design or select the most cost effective graphics solution (hardware and software) to…

Attempts to define the fundamental dimensions of human activity and some of the social controls exercised over them in the built environment. Activity is treated as an abstraction of human behavior which can be usefully related to certain aspects of the environment. The explanatory power and use of activity studies are explored. (Author)

Recent research on human factors in the man-machine communications interface is reviewed and discussed as it relates to the problem of establishing optimal system response times for the various kinds of tasks performed at the computer terminal. Optimal system response time is operationally defined, and the conflicting demands of system design,…

Addresses the problems of unsuitable physical layout of the visual display terminal, keyboard, and document holder and improperly selected office furniture by discussing a group of office products dubbed "computer furniture," i.e., terminal tables and furniture for peripherals. Purchasing advice is included. (EJS)

Discusses recent research on how light and color affect bodily functions. (Author)

Discusses design of microcomputer workstations for children. Dimensions for seating and worksurface are suggested for ages 6-8 and 9-11, and these dimensions are compared to adult standards. Several drawings and tables are used to present the design specifications. (nine references) (MES)

As adult office workers' use of computers has increased, the incidence of computer-related musculoskeletal complaints and injuries has also increased. Although the use of computers in the classroom is increasing, little attention has been paid by educators, furniture manufacturers, or researchers to the ergonomic design issues of educational…

This paper proposes a design for the electronic book based on discussions with frequent book readers. We adopted a conceptual framework for this project consisting of a spectrum of possible designs, with the conventional bound book at one difference pole, and the laptop computer at the other; the design activity then consisted of appropriately…

Unesco is playing an increasingly important role in helping developing countries adapt school furniture in line with educational methods and goals. This publication includes an independent evaluation of Unesco's school furniture projects in Sri Lanka and Tunisia. For purposes of comparison, evaluation of a furniture project carried out by the…

This second in a series of six articles introducing microcomputer applications in smaller libraries describes the main microcomputer hardware components--processors, internal and external memory, buses, printers, communications, hardware. Importance of ergonomic factors in equipment design, multi-user and network configurations, and the role of…