Whaling Museum

When a museum readily shares assets, case in point our currently running Crewlist Project, it allows audiences to be partners, the diffusion of knowledge is increased. This relates to the second of four themes stated in the Smithsonian Institute’s Web and Media Strategy and is a driving force in our own New Bedford Whaling Museum Digital Strategy.

Theme 2: Update the Smithsonian Learning Model

James Smithson wrote that “Knowledge should not be viewed as existing in isolated parts, but as a whole. Every portion throws light on all the others.” This Web and New Media Strategy seeks to update the Smithsonian’s learning model to be aligned with Smithson’s founding vision and new kinds of education and knowledge creation made possible, in part, by technology.

This strategy is based on the growing understanding of learning as a hybrid of formal education and self-directed discovery that can be brought together and enhanced by online tools and communities. Increasing online access to Smithsonian collections is part of the equation for promoting learning. (A detailed digitization strategy is under development.) The impact of online collections can be greatly magnified by highlighting the knowledge and insight of Smithsonian experts, an intellectual property policy that encourages re-use and sharing of our assets (where appropriate), and a matrix of tools, policies, and resources that allows our audiences to be our partners in the increase and diffusion of knowledge.