Bloom's Taxonomy
Bloom's Taxonomy is simply a model of 'classification' (taxonomy means a 'scheme of classification') where learning and cognition are broken up into 6 levels. Each level describes a 'skill' that learners can demonstrate in relation to their learning.
The levels are ...
Remembering - typically a learner is at the stage where they are able to remember new learning, but are able to do little else with it.
Understanding - At this stage a learner is now able to not only remember new learning, but to make some sense of it and begin to understand it.
Applying - Learners can not only remember and understand new learning, but can apply what they have learned to other situations.
Analysing - Learners who are in this stage can deconstruct new learning and make sense of the 'parts' of the learning, so that they can arrive at a deeper understanding of the concepts.
Evaluating - At this stage, learners can make decisions about the learning, make judgements about dilemmas within the learning and decide on the validity of concepts or ideas.
Creating - Using and adapting prior learning to create something 'new'
The model of classification was initially proposed as a means of describing levels of learning and understanding (cognition), and is used in teaching to help teachers and early years practitioners 'frame' learning activities to try to elicit a particular learning response from the learners.
For us, though, it is also a good model to use to work out 'where' a child is in their understanding. If they are able to remember things (repeat rhymes, sing songs, repeat play activities, for example) then they are at level 1, and if they start to demonstrate more of an understanding of the activity ir concept, then they are at level 2 , and os on. As children are increasingly exposed to a specific learning activity, it is reasonable to expect that they will move up through the levels of the model, however, clearly, how hight they 'climb' will be dependent on many factors.
Not all learners will achieve level 6 in all aspects of their learning. Artists may be at level 6 in relation to their specific field of art, but they may be at level 1 when it comes to learning how to use a piece of software.
Blooms taxonomy does have it's critics, though. They say that learning is not a 'straight line process' and that the model is too 'neat and tidy'. This may well be a valid point, but for us, observing the young people we are working with, and planning play activities, it is a good model to remind us what we are trying to achieve, and that we are trying to lead children through a learning journey with the aim of developing the child's higher order thinking skills.
For more information on Bloom's Taxonomy, click the links below.
