Use Bloom’s Taxonomy to Teach Effectively
Bloom’s Taxonomy is an accepted framework adopted by teachers to help their students in the cognitive learning procedure. Teachers use it to concentrate on developing a higher level of thinking skills.
It is a hierarchical model that classifies learning objectives according to complexity. The cognitive goals are usually made use of while setting up the curriculum. The course objectives state what the students should know by the time they complete the course.
The Taxonomy is like a pyramid. Simple recall questions related to the lesson form its base. The next level constitutes of more challenging questions meant to test the comprehension of the students. By asking questions that involve critical thinking, teachers help the students to think at higher levels. They pay more attention to details, develop problem-solving abilities, and enhance their comprehension.
Levels
The framework comprises six levels. Let us look at the various levels of thinking and see some questions that you can ask at each stage.
Knowledge: At this level, you can ask the students questions that show how much insight they have acquired from the classroom lesson.
Some questions that you can ask at this level are:
- How will you describe
- Where is
- What is
Comprehension: At this stage, the students should interpret the facts learned during the class.
The questions for this stage are:
- How will you summarize
- State the central idea
Application: During this stage, the students should apply the knowledge they have acquired during the classroom session.
Questions for this level would be:
- How will you solve it
- How will you use it
Analysis: At this level, it is not enough if the students possess knowledge. They should be able to analyze things.
The queries for this level include:
- State the theme
- Classify the following
Synthesis: At this level, the students should form a theory or make predictions based on what they have learned.
The questions to be asked at this stage include:
- What are the facts that you can compile?
- What would be the outcome if
Evaluation: The topmost level of the Taxonomy is known as evaluation. At this level, the students are supposed to evaluate what they have learned. They have to make assumptions and arrive at conclusions. The questions they should be able to answer at this stage are:
- How will you evaluate
- Express your opinion of
- What data is in use
- How will you select
Examples of Corresponding Verbs
Remembering: arrange, order, label, list, define, duplicate, memorize, state, name, reproduce, relate, recall, recognize, repeat
Understanding: classify, discuss, describe, explain, express, indicate, locate, identify, restate, review, recognize, report, translate, select
Applying: demonstrate, dramatize, apply, choose, employ, illustrate, operate, practice, interpret, solve, schedule, sketch, write, use
Analyzing: appraise, analyze, calculate, categorize, criticize, compare, contrast, distinguish, differentiate, discriminate, examine, experiment, test, question
Evaluating: argue, appraise, assess, attach, compare, choose, defend, estimate, predict, rate, judge, select, support, core, evaluate, value
Creating: assemble, arrange, compose, collect, construct, design, develop, manage, organize, formulate, propose, plan, prepare, write, set-up.
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