Skip to content
Digital Inclusion Toolkit
  • Toolkit
  • News

Home > Delivering a digital inclusion programme > Digital equipment and software > Computers and mobile devices > How to set up a socially distanced 1:1 workstation

  • The problem
  • Our solution
  • Tell us what you're using

How to set up a socially distanced 1:1 workstation

December 4, 2020 by Liz Crew

We were able to run some socially distanced digital inclusion sessions during the 2020/21 COVID-19 lockdown, and created this set up using easy to source kit. The computers and peripherals are standard, you just need long cables.

The problem

Usually, with inexperienced learners, a coach might sit alongside the learner to point out the features on the same screen as the learner finds their way around.

The COVID-19 lockdown made us all far more aware of keeping physical distance between people. This can make 1:1 digital skills coaching awkward and difficult.

Our solution

Socially distanced workstation
How to set up a socially distanced workstation

In this setup, a learner (or client) is placed at one laptop or workstation and cables are extended to a second monitor, a second keyboard and a second mouse. The coach can then see what the learner sees and, if necessary, control the mouse and keyboard.

USB and HDMI cables (or extension cables) can be many metres long allowing for:

  • side by side
  • face to face over distance
  • stations which are separated by screens

No special applications or switches are required because USB simultaneously allows many devices to work at once and most computers have at least an extra video port for a second monitor to be attached.

In Windows, you can set the behaviour of the monitors by right-clicking on the desktop and changing the default “Extend Displays” to “Duplicate these displays”.

Windows monitor settings
How to set up your monitors in Windows

Tell us what you're using

This solution worked for us at TechResort. It was easy to set up, using kit we largely had to hand. The only thing we needed to order were extra long cables.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this, and any solutions you may have. Please post in the comments!

Author: Liz CrewOperations Director at TechResort CIC.

@Lillput

Share this

More

Join the digital inclusion conversation on Twitter

@diginclusionkit

Email updates

Subscribe today and get regular email updates on what's happening in the world of digital inclusion.

Subscribe

Digital Inclusion Toolkit
Funded by Local Digital
@diginclusionkit Digital-Inclusion-Toolkit

Find out more

  • About the Toolkit
  • Contact us
  • Resources
  • Contribute
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Cookies

Email updates

Subscribe today and get regular email updates on what's happening in the world of digital inclusion.

Thanks for subscribing. We've sent you a verification email from updates@digitalinclusion.org. Simply click the link in the email so we can make sure it's the right email address.

How we use cookies
We would like to use cookies to help give the best online experience. Please let us know if you agree to this.
Cookie settingsAccept and close
Manage consent

Cookies

This website uses cookies to assist in core services to support your use of our website.
Necessary cookies
Always Enabled
Cookies are files saved on your phone, tablet or computer when you visit a website. We use this information to make the website work as well as possible and improve digitalinclusionkit.org. To find out more about controlling and deleting cookies usage on your browser, visit www.aboutcookies.org.
Non-necessary cookies
This site uses Google Analytics to track how the website is used by recording clicks on links and information about the device used to browse the site. This site uses HotJar to record how the website is used and to collect information from users in polls or surveys.
SAVE & ACCEPT