In today’s day and age, technology is a part of education. Teachers spend hours ploughing through their lessons on a laptop, learners work on digital learning platforms every day, support staff work with their electronic databases, and assessors review learners’ portfolios online.
These technological developments have had many benefits, such as providing access to education and facilitating many tasks, but have also led to a rise in the use of Display Screen Equipment (DSE). If not managed properly, long hours in front of the screen and sub-optimal workstation design can cause discomfort, fatigue and health problems.
This is why it is more important than ever that DSE assessments are carried out in schools, colleges, universities, and training providers.
What Does DSE Mean?
Display Screen Equipment (DSE) refers to equipment with display screens which is used for work or study regularly.
These are typically desktop computers, laptops, tablet computers and interactive screens, digital whiteboards, computer monitors and touchscreen learning devices used in education.
The use of DSE has now become commonplace within the classroom, and it is expected that its use will continue to be a regular aspect of life in education.
What is a DSE Assessment?
A DSE assessment looks at the person’s interaction with their workstation and whether the workstation is set up to facilitate good working and learning practices.
A thorough DSE assessment likely will include an evaluation of the work patterns, lighting conditions, seating, desk set up, placement of the keyboard and mouse, posture and the frequency of breaks, and environmental factors. The goal is to minimise the risk to health and maximise comfort and productivity.
There is also a tendency for many institutions to have a DSE self assessment process before a formal review occurs.
Why Are DSE Assessments Important in Education?
The school environment is different from other environments in terms of the use of display screen equipment. Teachers, support personnel, and students are often sedentary as they sit for long periods of time, type, read digital information or engage in internet activities.
These activities over time may lead to various physical and mental health issues.
Supporting Teacher Wellbeing
Teachers dedicate a great amount of time outside of class hours planning lessons, making presentations, marking work and answering emails. Many teachers still do this at home, and thus expose themselves to screen time.
Teachers may suffer from neck and shoulder pain, back pain, eye strain, headaches, wrist and hand discomfort if they are not set up at their workstation. DSE assessments can be used to identify changes to be made that will help minimise these risks and contribute to long-term wellbeing. The right DSE workstation assessment can be conducted to recognise changes that can minimise these risks and contribute to long-term wellbeing.
Protecting Administrative and Support Staff
The users of computers in school and college administration include most of the administrators, reception staff, data managers and finance teams who spend most of their working day in front of it.
Administrative workers cannot get up and go around the classrooms. They use DSE assessments to ensure their workstations are set up to promote a healthy posture and minimise risks of musculoskeletal disorders.
Supporting Assessors, Trainers and IQAs
The use of digital systems for the management of learner evidence and to complete quality assurance activities, including remote observations, is becoming more commonplace for vocational assessors, trainers and Internal Quality Assurers.
Many take hours to look at electronic portfolios and paper-based documentation. These professionals can use DSE assessments to develop more ergonomic work environments that promote efficiency and comfort.
Enhancing the Student Learning Experience
Students are also important users of display screen equipment. Learners spend a significant amount of time using computers in school, college and university and in online learning environments for research, assignments, exams, and virtual classes.
By the time students are in school, they have already formed bad work habits that can carry over to their future jobs. DSE awareness instils healthy habits in students from a young age.
What Does a DSE Workstation Assessment Include?
A DSE workstation assessment will consider a number of key areas which are relevant to health and comfort.
Chair and Seating Position
One of the most important considerations of workstation design is seating. Assessment focuses on seat height, back and lumbar support, armrest positioning and overall comfort.
Good seating for teachers and support staff who need to work long hours planning lessons or doing office work can help to minimise back and neck strain.
Screen Positioning
A frequent problem in an educational environment is the improper positioning of a screen. Screen height, viewing distance, window and light angles and glare are usually looked at by assessors.
If a monitor is set on a low level, users will have to lean their head down which may put extra strain on the neck and shoulders.
Arrange the Keyboard and Mouse
The position of the keyboard and mouse can impact hand, wrist and shoulder health.
The reach distance, wrist posture, desk space availability and equipment arrangement are all taken into account. Several adjustments can be made to create a more comfortable computer work environment.
Desk Layout and Workspace Organisation
In education, there are many resources that people have to work with such as books, teaching materials, notebooks, etc., and also, electronic devices.
If the work surface is cluttered, it may result in repetitive motion and awkward positions. The DSE assessments can help identify the most efficient workstation layouts which will maximise comfort and productivity.
Accessible Lighting and Visual Comfort
These can be natural light, classroom lighting and screen time in educational environments. Low levels of lighting can lead to eye strain, headaches, fatigue and loss of concentration.
The DSE assessment determines if lighting levels are adequate to support comfortable viewing of screens all day long.
What is a DSE Risk Assessment?
A DSE risk assessment does more than assess workstation setup and consider the risks of using display screen equipment; it also focuses on the possible health risks that may be present when using display screen equipment.
This process includes hazard identification, risk assessment of those items, identification of anyone who could be impacted, and setting up control measures and regularly reviewing their effectiveness.
For many colleges and training providers, DSE assessments are part of a broader risk assessment process which allows for adherence to workplace health and safety requirements.
Role of DSE Assessment Training
Awareness and understanding of effective workstation management is key. That’s why many educational institutions offer DSE assessment training for managers, health and safety officers and designated staff members.
Through training, individuals learn how to properly identify the risk of a workstation, how to assess the risk properly, and how to make recommendations for improvements.
If you’re an organisation seeking practical advice on workplace wellbeing and compliance in education, you may find Educator Standards resources helpful.
Technology and Modern DSE Assessments
In an increasingly digital world of education, many organisations are shifting from paper-based assessment processes.
Online DSE assessment software is now available for staff and students to take assessments from home and helps organisations to better monitor and control risks to their workstations.
The majority of schools, colleges and training providers are now using assessment software designed to support DSE assessments, track compliance and create assessment records.
Common DSE Issues Found in Educational Settings
There are a number of common issues with workstations in educational institutions, regardless of the role.
Laptop Only Working
Teachers often need to travel between classrooms, meetings and homework settings. Consequently, many just use their laptops for everything.
Though this is convenient, having the screen attached to the keyboard can lead to poor posture. Users find themselves straining to look at the screen or straining their arms into uncomfortable positions.
Temporary Home Workspaces
Working remotely and from home is prevalent in the education industry. Dining tables, kitchen counters, and other non-computer-working areas are used by many staff members for extended periods of computer work.
DSE assessments will help determine what changes can be made to make home workstations safer and more comfortable.
Extended Marking and Assessment Sessions
Assignments and/or learner portfolios are usually reviewed in one session by teachers, assessors and trainers which can even take several hours.
If breaks are not provided and the workstation design is not ergonomic, this can cause discomfort and fatigue.
Poor Student Workstation Habits
Pupils often operate devices while lying, sitting on sofas, or sitting on the floor. DSE awareness campaigns can be used to promote healthier approaches to studying in education.
Best Practices for Teachers, Staff and Students
Although the workstation assessments are helpful, there are steps that can be taken to make the station more comfortable and enhance their well-being.
These include positioning screens at eye level, sitting with proper back support, taking frequent movement breaks, avoiding sitting in the same position for long periods, positioning the keyboard and mouse in a comfortable position, reducing the glare on the screen and reporting discomfort before it becomes a chronic problem. Making small changes over time can have a big impact.
Growing Importance of DSE Assessments in Digital Education
The world of education is undergoing change and more and more classrooms and schools are utilising screen-based learning and administration. The use of virtual classrooms, online assessments, digital learning platforms and remote working arrangements is now commonplace in the educational setting.
This has made it more relevant to ensure that staff and students are able to use display screen equipment safely and at ease.
DSE assessments are no longer considered a compliance process. They have emerged as a key instrument to enhance wellbeing, contribute to increased productivity, and to build healthier learning and workplaces.
