Open-book exam
Open-book examiStock

Education Minister Naftali Bennett today (Thursday) Tweeted an opinion survey on the question, "What do you think about open-book matriculation? I believe in it.Requires thinking, exploration, depth instead of memorization alone. This year we began pilot in history in several schools."

A Ministry announcement included in the Tweet to a pilot school explains the change: "Today, for the first time: Open-book History Matriculation Exam. Education Ministry: 'The new method allows thinking skills, analysis, and expressing a position - instead of rote memorization.'"

Responses were not surprising. "Can we use Wikipedia?" asked one respondent. "Listen, this is the first time in a long time I agree with you," answered another. This attitude represents many responses.

Some, however, were more circumspect: "In general, this is the right way.In practice, this may create a generation of students who will not learn for exams but will rely on summaries copied from the class geek."

Experienced educators were also skeptical: "The exams will become much harder," said one senior educator. "It was was a disaster with Tanach. Many students couldn't analyze on the level required, so they reinstated some test points to biblical text knowledge." Regarding the jubilant responses to Bennett's announcement, she said, "They are not teachers I guess. Students think it's great ... until the first exam. And there is intrinsic value in knowing things without Google and texts."

In response, or perhaps peremptorily, Bennett Tweeted further: "Let there be no mistake: In my opinion, a test with open material will be much more difficult.Requires completely different level of understanding and thinking. But that's exactly what you need in life."