SURAKARTA – A simple innovation from a Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) community service team has provided a tangible solution to improve student concentration. An ergonomically designed folding study desk has been proven to increase study focus duration by up to 36.43% compared to conventional desks commonly used in pesantren (Islamic boarding school) environments.
The community service team, led by Prof. Dr. Ir. Wijang Wisnu Raharjo from the Non-Metallic Materials Technology and Processing Research Group, conducted a trial involving five students. The results showed an increase in average concentration time from 264 seconds to 359 seconds—a significant gain of 95 seconds when using the new desk.
“This desk is designed with a height of 70 cm according to ergonomic standards, featuring a sturdy lightweight steel frame and a plywood surface. Its legs can be folded, making it highly flexible for narrow and multifunctional dormitory rooms,” said Prof. Wijang.
Photo caption: The desk’s folding design allows for efficient storage, addressing the challenge of limited space in dormitory environments.
The improvement in concentration was influenced not only by better posture but also by the desk’s stability and psychological aspects. According to Prof. Wijang, the students involved in the assembly process felt a greater sense of ownership and motivation to study. One student even recorded a peak focus increase of 110 seconds (42%), indicating that the new design is particularly beneficial for students sensitive to discomfort in their learning environment.
Although the results are promising, the research team acknowledges the study’s limitation of a small sample size. Further research on a larger scale is needed for broader validation. In the future, the team plans to develop the prototype using lighter materials like aluminum and add features such as a folding chair and integrated storage.
This innovation is regarded as an efficient, low-cost, and replicable solution for improving educational facilities, especially in pesantren and schools with limited space and budgets.
