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Computer as One of Health Risk Factors in An Educator‘s Activity

Summary/Abstract: Changes in society cause changes in education. New requirements, closely related to social and economic changes in a modern society, occur in the system of education, training institutions and workers employed in them. Changes in the system of education are influenced by the developement of information and communication technology (ICT) in the educational process. More and more research is carried out to examine relationship between the educational process (participants in education) and ICT (whether it affects quality of education, has deterious influence on the individual’s body and health, shapes new culture, etc.). Adverse effects of the application of information technology on the human organism have to be mentioned. A computer in a workplace can become a particular risk factor rather than an assistant if rules of work at a computer, such as hygiene norms or ergonomics of the workplace, are neglected. In this context competences to create secure environment, protect health using information technology become especially important. The teacher has to develop them while organizing education and applying ICT. Educators have to gain knowledge and skills in the given areas. The development of such competences can be determined by attitudes towards the mentioned problems by educators themselves. Therefore our paper was aimed at investigation of teachers’ interaction with a computer and their attitudes towards the influence of a computer on health. A study was designed and carried out to this effect. The main technique employed in the study was a questionnaire survey. Analysis of study findings allows to drawi the following conclusions. The majority of surveyed (84,1%) have and use a computer at home. The most common work includes data search, online communication and text processing. Educators use a computer in moderation. They spend one or a couple of hours at a computer at home whereas at school – not more than one hour. Some teachers use the services of internet cafes where they spend less than one hour. About 41% of respondents think a computer presents a major risk to their health. Most frequent reported cases involved eyesight disorders, pains in the hands, arms, neck and spinal muscles. They were also asked to assess their computerized workplace (light in the room of their workplace, the level of noise, etc.). Most respondents gave 4 for their computerized workplaces. 3% of the teachers gave the lowest score of 1 to the chair. 14,1% of respondents reported that they were not interested in information about harmful effects of computers and 18,4% heard about such effect only at briefings. The majority of the teachers were acquainted with possible preventive measures working at a computer but not all of the respondents practised them.

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