... in the 21st century, the Internet is used constantly to search for answers to all manner of questions that arise during our working and private lives. If the role of education is to prepare us for real life, then perhaps traditional assessment methods do need to be overhauled. Today’s reality is that, rather than regurgitating facts, students need to demonstrate their ability to filter, interpret and apply online data. Should we not therefore, in addition to encouraging retention of core knowledge, include at least some exam questions that allow the use of the Internet and test these skills? Taking the author’s example of languages, it would indeed be difficult to argue that Internet access during exams is appropriate for all subjects. As a case in point, many professional exams are open-book, and far from making them easier, the wealth of information to hand and the limited time available create challenges akin to the realities of the world of work.
