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Bloom’s taxonomy is an educational framework that classifieslearningin different levels of cognition.
The taxonomy is often characterized as a ladder or pyramid.
Each step on the taxonomy represents a progressively more complex level of learning.
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The lower levels of learning serve as a base for the subsequent levels that follow.
Blooms taxonomy was developed by a committee of educators through a series of conferences held between 1949 to 1953.
The Six Levels of Blooms Taxonomy
There are six levels of Blooms taxonomy.
The original six levels were: knowledge, comprehension, utility, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
This level focuses on memorizing information and recalling the concepts and facts learned.
Understand
This level of the taxonomy involves demonstrating a comprehension of what has been learned.
People are able to explain the ideas in their own words and explain what the concepts mean.
Here, learners are able to compare and contrast to spot similarities and differences.
They can also make connections and spot patterns.
Learners are able to evaluate arguments that have been presented so that make judgments and form their own opinions.
Create
This represents the highest level of Bloom’s taxonomy.
Learners who reach this point are able to form ideas by utilizing the skills and knowledge they have obtained.
This level involves the generation of creative, original ideas.
The progression of knowledge matters because each level builds on the previous ones.
3 Domains of Blooms Taxonomy
Bloom’s taxonomy targets three key learning domains.
These domains are focused on a number of desired educational outcomes.
Cognitive Domain
This domain is focused on the development of intellectual skills.
It involves the acquisition of knowledge and the development ofproblem-solving,decision-making, and critical-thinking abilities.
Affective Domain
This domain is centered on developing emotional abilities, values, and attitudes.
Psychomotor Domain
This domain focuses on the physical skills that are needed to carry out different activities.
This includes physical coordination and the ability to control and manipulate the body.
This approach also helped better stimulate critical thinking skills and boosted student motivation and interest in learning.
Understanding and applying the taxonomy can enhance learning efficacy to develop a richer understanding of the subject matter.
This might involve:
Use of the taxonomy may of course differ amongst individuals at different age levels.
Broer recommends looking for ways to mentally, physically, and emotionally connect to educational material.
What Are the Limitations of Bloom’s Taxonomy?
The taxonomy is typically framed as a hierarchy in which higher-level learning depends on foundational knowledge.
However, learning often doesn’t occur in distinct, separate steps.
Learning experiences are often dynamic, involving many levels at the same time.
Rigid Structure
The taxonomy’s lack of flexibility is another common critique.
Educators should consider this factor when developing culturally-inclusive instruction.
While Blooms taxonomy has limitations, it is still a helpful framework for developing educational materials.
Bloom BS.Taxonomy of educational objectives: The classification of educational goals.
New York, NY: Longmans, Green; 1956.
Adams NE.Bloom’s taxonomy of cognitive learning objectives.J Med Libr Assoc.
2022;21(4):ar66.
