Some high schools in Israel are adding Google Earth to their geography exams. Not only will students be allowed to use it instead of a traditional atlas, but parts of the exam will require the use of Earth to successfully complete the test.
According to the head of the Education Ministry Supervisors Department, Dalia Fanning, “Incorporating Google Earth in the final allows students to use interactive maps, observe geological layers and computer animation. It allows students to ‘fly’ over the area and ‘land’ according to the test’s requirements.”
I’ve not been able to find much information outside of this single article, but it’s certainly interesting. What do you think? Is it a valuable step forward to help students learn to use software such as Google Earth? Or should testing force them to use a standard atlas in order to better grasp the basic concepts?
About Mickey Mellen
Mickey has been using Google Earth since it was released in 2005, and has created a variety of geo-related sites including Google Earth Hacks. He runs a web design firm in Marietta, GA, where he lives with his wife and two kids.