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Dr. Benjamin Bloom of the University of Chicago created this
taxonomy for categorizing the level of abstraction of questions
that commonly occur in educational settings. He separated the
levels of thinking into six categories. The levels of competency
are listed from least complex to most complex. The taxonomy provides
a useful structure in which to categorize assignments and questions.
Competence
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Skills Demonstrated
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| Knowledge |
- observation and recall of information
- knowledge of dates, events, places
- knowledge of major ideas
- mastery of subject matter
- Question Cues:
list, define, tell, describe, identify, show, label, collect,
examine, tabulate, quote, name, who, when, where, etc.
|
| Comprehension |
- understanding information
- grasp meaning
- translate knowledge into new context
- interpret facts, compare, contrast
- order, group, infer causes
- predict consequences
- Question Cues:
summarize, describe, interpret, contrast, predict, associate,
distinguish, estimate, differentiate, discuss, extend
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| Application |
- use information
- use methods, concepts, theories in new situations
- solve problems using required skills or knowledge
- Questions Cues:
apply, demonstrate, calculate, complete, illustrate, show, solve,
examine, modify, relate, change, classify, experiment, discover
|
| Analysis |
- show relationships
- organization of parts
- recognition of hidden meanings
- predict, draw conclusions
- Question Cues:
analyze, separate, order, explain, connect, classify, arrange,
divide, compare, contrast, select, explain, infer
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| Synthesis |
- use old ideas to create new ones
- generalize from given facts
- integrate knowledge from several areas
- develop a product, plan or proposal
- Question Cues:
combine, integrate, modify, rearrange, substitute, plan, create,
design, invent, what it?, compose, formulate, prepare, generalize,
rewrite
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| Evaluation |
- compare and discriminate between ideas
- assess value of theories, presentations
- make choices based on reasoned argument
- verify value of evidence
- recognize subjectivity
- Question Cues
assess, decide, rank, grade, test, measure, recommend, convince,
select, judge, explain, discriminate, support, conclude, compare,
summarize
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References:
Bloom,B.S. (ed.). Taxonomy of Objectives:
The Classification of Educational Goals. Handbook 1. David McKay
Company, Inc. New York, NY.
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