Pre visit preparation

To help your students maximise the benefit from their visit, we suggest that you;

Describe the nature of The National Museum of Computing and suggest they look at www.tnmoc.org

Explain the background to the reason why the Museum is found at Bletchley Park. In particular the connection between Alan Turing, Enigma, code-breaking, the concept of the computer, Colossus.

Explain that the Museum is hosted in Block H, the World's first purpose-built computer centre.

Provide a focus for their visit or perhaps some specific questions they might research or answer. For example they might focus on why computers have got smaller, or faster or more personal. Perhaps they might concentrate on ‘storage’ and understanding how we are able to store so much more data in such a smaller space. We hope to be able to provide downloadable assignments soon for teachers to use to help direct students when they visit.
Remind them that a packed lunch is essential to help maintain their concentration in the day.

Encourage the students to bring means of collecting evidence. A pen and paper of course, but perhaps a camera or an audio recorder. Encourage them to look after expensive personal item at all times.

I am sure your students will behave well when they visit us, but perhaps you might take time to remind them that;

our Museum contains artefacts which are by their nature rare and old and therefore must be treated with care,

any computer or device which is switched on and operating must be treated with caution as they will be operating from mains electricity and can, if abused, be a hazard to health.

our volunteers give their time freely to escort groups around the museum and inform students about the exhibits. Please listen to the volunteer when they are speaking or giving instructions.

they must respect other visitors to the Museum and of course each other. Misbehaviour may lead to damage to the Museum’s exhibits and cause a health hazard to others. Such behaviour will lead to the immediate expulsion of a group visitor.
we prefer mobile phones to be switched off during the visit together with mobile music players