Google it at exam time

I think memorising things is no longer as necessary as it used to be, we only remember what truly interests us. The thought now is that we need to learn how to think. Knowing how to sift through available information is part of that.

I did get a surprise when I went to the Dr and he googled my symptoms - since I had done precisely that before I went to him! I think there are some subjects that we really do need to know off by heart, and no amount of googling will give us better marks, but I also think that ignorance will still show up if the material found isn't used correctly. Exams are not what they used to be.

You cannot assess whether a google entry is correct or understand what it says if you do not have a good background knowledge of the subject in the first place. The purpose of the exam is to test your background knowledge.

I have twice done university exams where, as well as sitting timed examinations with the paper unseen until the start of the examination, we were also given another paper at the end of the exam with more extensive questions where we were given 24 - 48 hours to choose a question and research it, then come back and answer the question under exam conditions.

The first paper tested my knowledge and understanding of the subject, the second my understanding of this knowledge and capacity to use it and work on from it.

I did exams like this before google using books and journal articles. There is nothing original in his suggestion. Considering he is on an exam board he is woefully ignorant about the range of ways knowledge is tested these days.

I often consult Dr Google lol.

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