Introduction
Bloom’s Taxonomy is one of the most widely used frameworks in education for organizing learning objectives and assessing student progress. Developed by Benjamin Bloom and a team of collaborators in 1956, this hierarchical model categorizes cognitive skills and learning outcomes, helping educators design courses, assessments, and activities that align with specific cognitive levels.
Initially focused on cognitive objectives, Bloom’s Taxonomy has since evolved into a comprehensive tool that encompasses the knowledge, skills, and abilities students need to master at different levels of education. It provides a clear structure for developing learning objectives that progress from basic to complex cognitive tasks. This framework is valuable not only in educational settings but also in corporate training environments where structured, goal-oriented learning is crucial.
In this article, we will explore Bloom’s Taxonomy, its historical development, key components, and its applications. We will also discuss its revisions and the impact it continues to have on instructional design and assessment.
What is Bloom’s Taxonomy?
At its core, Bloom’s Taxonomy is a framework for categorizing cognitive learning objectives. It divides cognitive skills into levels that range from basic recall of information to higher-order thinking and problem-solving. Originally created to help educators design learning objectives and assessments, the taxonomy is structured as a hierarchical model where each level builds upon the one below it.
The original taxonomy developed in 1956 consists of six levels:
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Knowledge (recalling facts and concepts)
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Comprehension (understanding the meaning of the information)
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Application (using information in new situations)
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Analysis (breaking information into parts to explore relationships)
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Synthesis (combining elements to form a new structure)
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Evaluation (making judgments based on criteria and standards)
In 2001, Lorin Anderson and David Krathwohl revised Bloom’s Taxonomy to reflect a more dynamic view of learning. The revised version updated the levels to use action verbs, which emphasize the active nature of learning, and changed the focus from nouns to verbs to better capture the cognitive processes involved.
The six revised levels are:
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Remember (replacing Knowledge)
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Understand (replacing Comprehension)
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Apply (same as before)
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Analyze (same as before)
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Evaluate (same as before)
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Create (replacing Synthesis)
The Structure of Bloom’s Taxonomy
Bloom’s original taxonomy emphasized a hierarchical structure, with each level building upon the previous one. The lowest level, Knowledge, involves simple recall, while the highest level, Evaluation, involves making informed judgments and critical decisions.
1. Remember
At the base of the hierarchy is remembering, which refers to the ability to recall facts, terms, basic concepts, and answers. This foundational level focuses on memorization and retrieval of information.
Example: A learner can recall key historical events or terms from a vocabulary list.
2. Understand
The next level is understanding, which involves understanding the meaning of what is being learned. At this stage, learners interpret and summarize information rather than simply recalling it.
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Example: Explaining the causes and effects of a historical event or summarizing a scientific concept.
3. Apply
Applying involves using learned information in new and concrete situations. Learners are expected to apply their knowledge to solve problems or carry out tasks in real-world contexts.
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Example: Using mathematical formulas to solve a complex problem or applying communication skills to negotiate a business deal.
4. Analyze
At the analysis level, learners break down complex information into parts and examine relationships between those parts. This level encourages deeper engagement with the material by exploring its structure and components.
Example: Analyzing a text to identify underlying assumptions or arguments within a report.
5. Create
Creating involves combining information from different sources to form a new whole. This level requires creativity and the ability to integrate ideas into new structures or frameworks.
Example: Designing a research study based on existing literature or creating a new marketing strategy based on market trends.
6. Evaluate
The highest level, evaluating, involves making judgments about the value of information, ideas, or solutions based on established criteria or standards. It calls for the ability to assess the quality, credibility, and effectiveness of the content.
Example: Critiquing an argument in an academic paper or evaluating the effectiveness of a training program in a corporate setting.
Applications of Bloom’s Taxonomy
Bloom’s Taxonomy is a key framework used to design learning experiences that align instructional methods with the specific goals of the learning process. The core purpose of Bloom’s Taxonomy is to ensure that educators and L&D professionals select the most appropriate teaching method for the desired outcome, whether it’s simply recalling facts or engaging in higher-order thinking such as analysis or creation. Taxonomies exist because the way you teach for one type of learning outcome is different from the way you teach for another. The taxonomy helps ensure that the learning method matches the cognitive level needed for the goal, rather than using a “mix” of outcomes just for variety’s sake.
1. Aligning Instruction with Learning Goals
Bloom’s Taxonomy is most useful when you define the desired learning outcome and choose the instructional method that best supports that goal. For example, memorization or basic recall (e.g., remembering facts) is best supported by direct instruction and practice. On the other hand, when the goal is to have learners create new ideas or solve complex problems, the instructional methods will likely include more collaborative and experiential approaches, like project-based learning or problem-solving exercises.
Example: If you want learners to analyze case studies in a business course, you wouldn’t use simple rote memorization techniques. Instead, you would design the learning to include critical thinking tasks and guided discussions that engage the analysis cognitive level.
2. Targeting Specific Cognitive Levels
Bloom’s Taxonomy ensures that your training activities and assessments are aligned with the appropriate cognitive level for your objectives. For instance, when developing a course on leadership, you might begin by ensuring learners can remember leadership theories, then progress them through stages where they analyze leadership styles in case studies and ultimately create their own leadership strategies based on real-world experiences.
Example: A training program designed to teach new employees basic company policies might focus on the Remember and Understand levels of the taxonomy, whereas a program aimed at developing strategic thinking would emphasize higher-order skills like Apply, Analyze, and Create.
3. Ensuring Learning Coherence
By selecting the appropriate level of Bloom’s Taxonomy, you also ensure coherence in your training program. This means that the difficulty of the content, the activities, and the assessments are aligned with the level of cognitive ability required for the learner to successfully master the material.
Example: If an objective is to get learners to apply knowledge in real-world situations, the activities should simulate those situations, such as role-playing or problem-solving scenarios, rather than simply asking learners to recall information.
Conclusion
Bloom’s Taxonomy remains a foundational tool in both education and corporate L&D, providing a structured approach to defining learning objectives, designing curricula, and assessing progress. By understanding the cognitive levels and their progression, educators and L&D professionals can create more effective learning experiences that promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and personal growth.
The revised version of the taxonomy, with the shift from Synthesis to Creation, acknowledges the need for innovation and adaptability in today’s fast-evolving workplaces. Despite its criticisms, Bloom’s Taxonomy continues to be a valuable framework for guiding learning at all levels of education and professional development.