Bloom

Definition

Bloom refers to the educational theory and framework developed by Benjamin Bloom, which categorizes levels of intellectual behavior important in learning. This framework, known as Bloom's Taxonomy, helps educators understand how to structure learning objectives and assessments by providing a hierarchy of cognitive skills from lower-order thinking to higher-order thinking. It emphasizes not just knowledge recall but also the application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of information.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Bloom's Taxonomy originally consisted of six levels: Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis, and Evaluation, with each level building upon the previous one.
2. In 2001, Bloom's Taxonomy was revised to reflect a more dynamic conception of classification, changing 'Synthesis' to 'Creating' and renaming other levels for better clarity.
3. The taxonomy serves as a guide for educators to create assessments that measure not just recall but also higher-order thinking skills like analysis and evaluation.
4. Understanding Bloom's levels helps teachers design curriculum that challenges students appropriately based on their cognitive development.
5. The application of Bloom's framework in curriculum development can lead to more effective teaching strategies that promote deep learning and critical thinking.

Review Questions

• What are the different levels of Bloom's Taxonomy and how do they progress in terms of cognitive complexity?
  • Bloom's Taxonomy includes six levels: Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis (revised to Creating), and Evaluation. These levels progress from lower-order thinking skills like recalling facts to higher-order thinking skills that involve critical thinking and problem-solving. Each level builds upon the previous one, meaning that mastering the lower levels is essential for successfully engaging with higher-level tasks.
• How can educators utilize Bloom's Taxonomy when developing learning objectives for their students?
  • Educators can utilize Bloom's Taxonomy by aligning their learning objectives with the different levels of cognitive skills. For example, an objective might focus on recalling information (Knowledge) for a quiz or applying concepts in real-world scenarios (Application) during projects. By using this structured approach, teachers can ensure that their objectives are clear and cater to various cognitive processes required for deep learning.
• Evaluate the impact of utilizing Bloom's Taxonomy on student assessment practices in educational settings.
  • Utilizing Bloom's Taxonomy significantly impacts student assessment practices by encouraging assessments that measure not only knowledge retention but also critical thinking skills. By framing assessments around the various levels of the taxonomy, educators can create tasks that require students to analyze data, synthesize information from multiple sources, or evaluate arguments. This comprehensive approach leads to a more accurate understanding of student learning and fosters deeper engagement with material.

Related terms

Cognitive Domain: The cognitive domain involves mental skills and knowledge acquisition, which is the primary focus of Bloom's Taxonomy.

Learning Objectives: Learning objectives are clear statements that describe what learners will be able to achieve after a lesson or activity, aligned with Bloom's Taxonomy levels.

Assessment: Assessment refers to the methods used to evaluate student learning and understanding, which can be designed using the principles of Bloom's Taxonomy.