Computer-based museum on the way to knowledge societies – from the history of the A.S. Popov Central museum of communications

Abstract

The A.S. Popov Central Museum of Communications, founded in 1872, underwent a large-scale reconstruction in the early 2000s. This became the beginning of a comprehensive introduction of computers and telecommunications technologies in the science and technology museum. At that time, there were no such examples not only in Russia, but in the whole world. The purpose of this report is to show how the attitude towards the introduction of computer technologies into the museum's activities has changed over almost two decades, and how it became obvious that it was necessary to use computer technologies in the interests of the society. To achieve this goal the following issues are discussed: museum computerization and the introduction of telecommunications technologies; development of the policy of using computer technologies; what role the UNESCO reports "Towards Knowledge Societies" in 2005 and 2013 played in shaping new views on the possibilities of a computer-based museum. The museum adopted the thesis of the need to shift the focus from the technologies themselves to solving the society problems with the use of the technologies. The report provides examples of museum projects that address this issue. The conceptual overarching idea of these projects is the following. Computer technologies and telecommunications are tools that help to update our personal and professional competence, develop creative thinking and contribute to the formation of value orientation.