Ergonomic Analysis of the
Cornell Library
Collaborative Learning
Computer Laboratory
Project conducted by DEA 470
(Ian Colahan; Iris Dulay; Jessica Elias; Yachen Hwang; Kaori
Ito; Jennifer Kim; Erin Lawler; Chiu Wah Jodi Lee; Elizabeth
Popolo, Xin Wang)
Under the supervision of Professor Alan Hedge and Melissa
Braun
Spring 2006
Overview of Presentation:

Our three main interests in CL3
– The physical arrangement and ambient
environment as it relates to the intent of CL3
– The dynamics of collaboration in CL3
– The preferences of current users in CL3
Environment of
3
CL
Physical Arrangement of

Dimensions of the station
1.4ft
2.3ft
1.6ft
2.2 ft
Adjustable
Min: 1.3ft
Max: 1.7ft
STANDARD REQUIREMENTS
Desk height: 2.3ft-2.5ft above the floor 
Chair height: 1.3ft - 1.7ft above the floor

Leg room: 2.5ft wide by 1.6ft deep by 2.25ft high
Work area top: 2.5ft by 5ft


Top of monitor casing 2-3 inches above eye level

3
CL
Physical Arrangement of

3
CL
Various sitting arrangements
1) Facing forwards and looking at both screens
95% man
5% woman
Physical Arrangement of
3
CL
2) Sitting to one side and looking forwards
95% man
Top view
Front view
5% woman
Physical Arrangement of
3
CL
3) Sitting to one side and rotate to look at the
screens at an angle
95% man
5% woman
Monitors angled at 45 degrees
Physical Arrangement of
3
CL
How often do you adjust the following furniture?
25
20
Chair height
15
Screen viewing
distance
10
Screen angle
5
0
Every time
Most of the Some of the Only when I
time
times
am told to
Survey Results (n=57)


Ability to customize work area by moving chairs, tables, and
computers
Not so
Important
Somewhat
Important
12%
*28%
N/A
21%
18%
21%
How often do you rearrange the computer tables in CL3?
Most of
Everytime the time
Frequency

Important
Very
Important
3.5%
5%
Some of
the time
28%
Reasons to move table
– 31.5% Create better working station
– 28% To improve collaboration
– 33% Never moved tables
When I’m
told
10.5%
Never
moved
*35%
N/A
18%
Survey Results (n=57)

If you have never rearranged the tables in CL3 before,
why not?
– 37% I didn’t need to
– 22% Didn’t know it was allowed
– 15% Didn’t know it was movable

Would you move the table more often if:
– 30% Fewer wires
– 29% Easier to plug and unplug wires and cables
– 19% Signs instructing them to move
(i.e. How to move tables & re-plug, random positioning of stations)
– 19% tables were lighter
– 22% still wouldn’t move

How did you find out the tables were movable?
–
–
–
–
33% Figured it out themselves
17.5% Was told by instructor
17.5% Saw other people move
14% Didn’t know they are movable
Physical Arrangement of CL3

Desk Moving Force Requirement:
C
D
B
E
A
F
H
G
Liberty Mutual Manual Table Pushing
Guideline:
Position
Reading
1 (kg)
Reading
2 (kg)
Reading
3 (kg)
Max.
(kg)
Avg.
(kg)
A
17.1
16.9
16.0
17.1
16.7
B
16.5
12.1
11.8
16.5
13.5
C
17.5
15.8
16.8
17.5
16.7
D
17.0
15.5
16.0
17.0
16.2
E
16.2
16.9
16.0
16.9
16.4
F
15.1
13.3
11.2
15.1
13.2
G
18.6
13.8
11.6
*18.6
14.7
H
11.1
11.8
12.6
12.6
11.8
14.9
http://libertymmhtables.libertymutual.com/CM_LMTablesWeb/pdf/LibertyMutualTables.pdf
RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment)
Score: 4
Score: 2
(Acceptable)
Score: 3
Investigate further
Investigate Further
Score: 6
Investigate
Further and
Change Soon
Sound Level Analysis

The survey concluded that sound was not a
problem or concern for CL3 users.
CL3
3/14
4:55PM
4/5
12:55PM
CIS 300
4/11
2:15PM

Uris Computer Lab
61.1
6 users
80.5
18 students
1 teacher
65.2
4/6
2:15PM
68.6
18 users
4/11
2:20PM
69.2
15 users
4/17
6:30PM
81.2
Average sound level is higher in the Uris
computer lab under all conditions.
Sound Level Analysis
Unless there is a class,
CL3 is relatively quiet.
More talking and
interaction can be seen in
the Uris computer lounge
at all times. Possible
explanations include its
open/bright atmosphere,
ability for people to walk
through to get to/from
the Cocktail Lounge, and
to the shape of the
computer desks.
CL3 desks: sitting
space closes in
Uris desks: sitting
space open
Survey Results
30
Quiet conditions to
help with
concentration and
conversation
25
20
Being able to overhear
other groups
15
10
Ability to discuss
projects freely without
fear of disrupting
others
5
0
Not important
Somewhat
important
Important
Very important
Survey Results
35
Feel crowded in CL3
30
Lose concentration due
to the number of
people in CL3
25
20
Feel your privacy is
affected by the number
of people in CL3
15
Have your work
affected by noise levels
in CL3
10
5
0
Never
Some of
the time
Most of
the time
Always
Feel your group work
is affected by the
number of people in
CL3
Survey Results
30
25
20
Having 2 screens
Having 2 keyboards
Having 2 mice
15
10
5
0
Not
important
Somewhat
important
Important
Very
important
Collaboration in
3
CL
Collaboration in

3
CL
Questions to Answer:
– To what extent do people collaborate in CL3?
– How does CL3 compare to other collaborative
spaces on campus. In this case Uris computer
area (The Runway).
Collaborative Data Gathering
Methodology

Used a combination of survey questions
and observational methods
– Survey Questions provided easily comparable
results and detailed data
– Observations provided data on the frequency
of various types of collaborative actions
– Data was gathered in CL3 and in the Uris
Computer area for comparison
Survey results


Group size ranges from 2 to 9. 66% of those surveyed
worked in groups of 2 or 3. 16% of respondents worked
alone.
56% spend ‘most of the group time’ in task related
conversation.
Time spent in collaborative activity in CL3
versus other computer labs
46.5% spend a lot of time collaborating in a CL3 class, 13 % in other computer labs
Survey Analysis
Most people do spend time collaborating
while in a class in CL3
 During group collaborative periods, there
was a high level of conversation between
members

Observations of

3
CL
verses Uris
Looked at the frequency of talking, pointing,
keying, and mousing of each member in CL3 and
comparison groups in a Uris computer area
Finalized Observation Chart
CL3 & Uris observation result
Talking, pointing at screens and papers
are counted as interactions
 Mean number of interactions per minute in
CL3 and Uris are similar (5.8 vs. 5.85)
 Mean coefficient of deviation for the
number of interactions in two labs are
8.56% and 5.97% respectively.

CL3 & Uris observation
result
Only 2 groups out of 7 from our
observation used both keyboards and mice
 Dominant use of keyboard and mouse was
observed both in CL3 and Uris
 Usually there are more people in Uris lab.

Conclusions on
Collaboration
Survey data suggest that CL3 has provided
an effective place for collaboration
 Observations suggest that the Uris
computer area provides an even better
place for collaboration
 Reasoning: Uris computer area has more
natural exchange of information as people
walk through the area, there is naturally
more noise of conversations being held,
and the furniture is more easily arranged

User Preference in
3
CL
Why People Use the
3
CL
We surveyed to find out why people come
to use the CL3 lab.
 The most common responses were:
– “Because I have to for class.”
– “The lab is aesthetically pleasing &
comfortable.”
– “I enjoy having the option to use dual
monitors, mice and keyboards.”

Other reasons included…
Moving the Workstations
How Often People Who Do Move the
Workstations Actually Move Them
2, 10%
3, 14%
Every Time
Most of the Time
Some of the Time
16, 76%
People Who Rearrange Workstations v. Those
Who Do Not
People Who
Have
Rearranged the
Workstations
20, 43%
27, 57%
People Who
Have Not
Rearranged the
Workstations
Reasons Why CL3 Users Have
Moved The Workstations
Didn’t Know It moves
4 12 2
So That People Can't See
Me Or My Work
7
To Avoid Disturbing Others
By Talking
16
7
To Avoid Being Disturbed By
Others Talking
I Needed More Space For
Work
18
9
I Was Instructed to Move It
To be Closer/Farther From
the
Whiteboard/Screen//Other
To Create a Better Work
Arrangement
To Improve Collaboration
For Fun

What Would Facilitate Moving
the Workstations in CL3 More
Often?
Top Responses:
– If there were fewer wires to deal with
– If the workstations were easier to plug & unplug
– If the workstations were lighter
– If there were signs suggesting to move the
workstations

However, 13 respondents said that they simply would not
move the workstations.
Reasons Why People Like
CL3
The dual screen option
 The mobile furniture
 The software and hardware available

– Fast computers

The ambient environment
– Ample space, high ceilings, quiet work environment
The whiteboards
 The availability of electrical outlets
 The fact that it is a good space for collaboration

Reasons Why People Dislike
CL3







The limited hours
The limited table space (for group meetings)
The lack of appropriate signage
The conflict between users who want talkative
collaboration and the users who are not aware
that it is a collaborative computing lab (and who
want a quiet study environment)
The shape of the room
The fact that the whiteboards do not erase well
The temperamental projector
Suggestions for Improving
CL3

Provide accurate signage concerning:
– The hours, the equipment available, and the ways to move
workstations

Provide more information on resources, software and
equipment available in CL3
– Place info cards on the workstations, hang posters, etc.




Increase the hours of operation and staffing to
accommodate the demand
Inform users that this is a collaborative space and not
just a typical computer lab
Increase the number of workstations or integrate laptop
use into the space
Improve printing options (i.e. 11” x 17”)
Thank You