As with any physical movement, too much can cause strain. While students should never be typing long enough to cause issues, there are ways to ensure they maintain proper posture when typing. Students should be instructed to sit with their feet flat on the floor and their backs straight. Shoulders should be relaxed and elbows bent no tighter than 90°. Always check that your students are holding their wrists in a neutral position, with the thumb running parallel to the forearm, the wrist bending only slightly upwards. Warn students that if they feel their wrists hitting the keyboard or desk, they should reposition. Teach students healthy habits like taking typing breaks and how to properly stretch their hands and fingers.
Know your equipment, too! Many detached keyboards have extendable legs, but it actually makes more ergonomic sense to keep keyboards flat against the surface of the desk. Wrist pads may come in handy when it’s time to rest, but their presence may entice you to develop bad posture when typing. For proper hand placement, the wrist should remain neutral, bent slightly upwards. Having the keyboard tipped up or having a wrist pad may cause your students to angle their wrists too harshly. Repeated misuse of the keyboard may lead to discomfort and should be avoided.
Regards,
Alex (The Reimagined Classroom Teacher)