ARTICLES: Michael Williamson and WhaleNet

Science (AAAS), June 2002

"Herman Melville could have made Moby Dick even longer if he had access to WhaleNet, a sprawling educational site aimed at secondary school students, teachers, and the general public."

NerdWorld Media, Spring 2000

"When his days of teaching and technology are far behind him, Mike would like to be remembered "as a footnote." When pressed to explain this cryptic response, this professor-of-few-words simply replied that he'd like to be remembered for valid, real work that has had an impact."

Harbor Master News, Summer 1999

"Unlike the aimless drifter in [Jimmy Buffett's] Pirate Looks at Forty, Mike has seen the treasures of the ocean, realized his dreams, and shared them with the rest of us. Thanks, Mike."

AquaNews, October, 1998

"WhaleNet's primary goals are to facilitate and coordinate learning; enhance interest in science; develop problem-solving and other critical thinking skills; and increase environmental understanding using telecommunications."

Christian Science Monitor, December, 1997

"The former private-school science teacher glows when talking about his work with youngsters. 'Whether or not kids know one whale from another doesn't matter,' Williamson says. 'The important thing is that kids are interested. Whales in the environment - that's the hook that gets them interested and develops reading, geography, and math skills.'"

Boston Globe, August, 1996

"Our goal was always to bring real-life experiences with whales and other animals into the classroom,'' said Williamson, a professor of oceanography at Wheelock College...[who] launched the site more than two years ago."

"But there's more to it than maps and databases. Co-coordinator J. Michael Williamson said the site is designed to turn the tracking and sighting information into compelling tools that schools can use to teach about whales and other marine life."

Research Papers based on WhaleNet Projects

WhaleNet

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