Digital Technology is one of the key areas of strategic focus at Bedford School. Teaching computational theory, problem-solving, perseverance, digital resilience and technological curiosity are essential skills in preparing pupils for a future that is constantly evolving. To foster curiosity about the future of technology and its potential impact on society and the workplace, it is crucial to understand its past. Knowledge of the history of technology helps us appreciate the benefits of technological advancements, their societal and workplace impacts, and how to embrace effective development while avoiding ‘digital potholes’.
Mr. Scullion, Director of Digital Learning at Bedford School, is a strong advocate of this ethos. His classroom is testament to this philosophy, featuring displays of digital technology from the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. Each item is catalogued with its release date and technical specifications. These displays not only illustrate the history of technology but also bring curriculum topics to life with contextualised examples. Boys may find themselves programming on modern machines with multi-core processors and clock speeds of several gigahertz, while right behind them are devices like the BBC Micro, ZX81 or Nintendo Gameboy, running at 3 or 4 megahertz. Although technology evolves, the core principle of using computers for creative development remains consistent. Whether that development is games, business software or AI models, the principle of technological curiosity and innovation stays the same. In one corner of the room, two high-powered gaming laptops are regularly used by boys to develop large language models and explore their capabilities.
The collection of old technology has been curated over many years and includes an original Apple Macintosh SE, owned by Bedford School and used by pupils in 1987. Once a pinnacle of technology, it now serves a different but equally valuable role. The collection also features several 1990s gaming platforms, kindly on loan from the school archivist.
We are always on the lookout for new additions to our collection, particularly original ZX Spectrum, Amstrad and Commodore models. If you have any old technology that you would like to donate to the school to help expand this collection, please get in touch.
