One of the most important concepts that I have learned in
this course is the one of Bloom’s taxonomy. Bloom’s taxonomy is a useful tool
for college studies. It is a tool that is used by teachers to create
assignments, but can be applied to one’s own use in learning and research. It
provides a means to look at a subject from multiple points of view through the
various levels of knowing and understanding.
After looking at these domains, I began to wonder what these concepts meant to me personally so I decided the best way to learn them was to put them in my own words. I think we take much of what we know for granted, thinking we know something, like the definition of “knowledge”, until we are forced to use it in some form or fashion. This state of assuming something, to me, is still one of the lowest forms of knowing something, perhaps not even qualifying for knowledge as it is based on an unclear and undeveloped idea or thought that we know something, when in actuality we don’t know what something truly means. So to go beyond the realm of assuming, I came up with my own definitions for the domain of Bloom’s taxonomy as well as verbs which commonly are associated with them.
Knowledge: Knowledge
is reliable information that enhances one’s experience in the world, and one’s
ability to participate within it. There are many different kinds of knowledge,
and many different levels of knowing a subject. The better one can make use of
one’s knowledge is in proportion to how well this knowledge is embedded in the
mind, and how readily it can be recalled when necessary.
There are two types of knowledge, declarative, and
procedural. The first is the ability to recall known facts (i.e. state
capitals, the alphabet, colors, etc.), while the latter is knowing how to
perform the steps that are required of a form of knowledge (driving a car,
starting a lawnmower, playing a sport). Declarative knowledge exists on a
conscious, verbal level of mind, while procedural knowledge is knowing how to
perform the knowledge without necessarily being able to verbalize it in
words. This knowledge is contained in
being able to perform and activity, expertly too, but not necessarily being
able to translate it into words for others. Associated verbs: locate, draw, outline, define, identify, label.
Comprehension: Comprehension is
how well some form of knowledge is learned and use it in a context that it may
not have previously been used or intended. Comprehension is how fully and how
deeply a form of knowledge is understood. Associated verbs: Explain, Relate, Describe, Paraphrase.
Application: Application is the making use of
knowledge in practice. A person may understand a form of knowledge very well,
but it is at the application stage that knowledge is used some form or manner.
In applying one’s knowledge, one extracts what is still mental phenomena, and
begins to make this form of knowledge real in the material world. Associated verbs: Modify, Construct, Build,
Sketch.
Analysis:
To analyze something requires being able to take apart concepts and
ideas, as well as physical things, in order to study their component parts
separately and how they function together as a system. Each component will
require a balanced examination and understanding of itself on its own, as well
as its place within the functioning whole. Associated verbs: Examine, Categorize, Compare, Differentiate.
Synthesis: Synthesis
is combining parts, parts that are not necessarily intended to be used or put
together, into a system that can function on its own. Synthesis is successfully
bringing together of combination of diverse ideas and concepts. Associated verbs: Combine, Invent, Compose,
Design.
Evaluation: Evaluation is
being able to examine something to determine its value, worth, or significance
in context of the environment. Evaluation is being able to discern a things
potential, and the extent to which a thing can be used, or its practicability.
Associated verbs: Appraise, Assess,
Criticize, Solve.
This is a brief attempt at creating my own version of Bloom’s
taxonomy, and I am sure that one can really develop one’s own version with
enough time, research, and application to making this tool more sharply defined
and useful to the individual in their studies.
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