Introduction to Using the Revised Bloom's Taxonomy to Create Learning Objectives

The Revised Bloom's Taxonomy is an update to the original educational framework developed by Benjamin Bloom and others. It provides a structured method for categorizing educational goals and objectives that aim to foster higher-order thinking skills among learners. This revised version modifies the original domains from nouns to verbs—remember, understand, apply, analyze, evaluate, and create—to encourage active learning. It is widely used in curriculum planning and assessment design across various educational levels and disciplines.

In brief, in the 1940s a group of educators began to develop a classification system for educational learning objectives for three domains: cognitive, affective, and psychomotor. The work on the cognitive domain resulted in a book titled a Taxonomy of educational objectives; the classification of educational goals, by a committee of college and university examiners (B. Bloom et al, 1956). This work is now commonly referred to as Bloom’s Taxonomy.

These taxonomic models present a hierarchical classification of learning objectives that, reading from left to right, successively become more complex and specific.

Originally, the cognitive domain was ordered as follows:

Knowledge | Comprehension | Application | Analysis | Synthesis | Evaluation

In 2001, Anderson and Krathwohl et al published a revised version of Bloom’s Taxonomy, A taxonomy for learning, teaching, and assessing: A revision of Bloom’s taxonomy of educational objectives (2001), that reflects new research and presents the taxonomy shown below.

Utilizing the Revised Bloom's Taxonomy in course design and learning objectives is crucial for encouraging depth and complexity in student learning. It helps educators systematically enhance the cognitive processes involved in learning, moving from basic knowledge acquisition to higher levels of analysis, synthesis, and creative thinking. This taxonomy also assists in aligning teaching strategies with learning outcomes and assessments, ensuring a cohesive educational experience that actively engages students and promotes critical thinking.

To effectively use the Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy in creating learning objectives, follow these steps:

1. Identify Course Goals: Start by outlining the broad goals of the course.
2. Select Relevant Taxonomy Levels: Determine which levels of Bloom's Taxonomy are most appropriate for achieving these goals. Each level should build upon the previous one to enhance cognitive complexity.
3. Develop Learning Objectives Using Action Verbs: For each level of the taxonomy chosen, write specific learning objectives using active verbs associated with that level. Ensure each objective is clear and measurable.
4. Align Assessments and Teaching Methods: Design assessments and teaching methods that align with these objectives to ensure students are evaluated and taught according to the intended cognitive level.
5. Evaluate and Adjust: Regularly review the effectiveness of learning objectives. Adjust them based on student performance and feedback to better meet educational goals.

• College of Education

Create Level: "Design a curriculum unit that integrates technology to enhance interactive learning and assess its impact on student engagement by the end of the semester."

• College of Business

Analyze Level: "Evaluate various market entry strategies and their potential financial impacts on a startup company to determine the most viable option in a competitive analysis report."

• College of Arts and Sciences

Apply Level: "Conduct a series of chemical experiments to demonstrate different reaction types and compile the observations in a lab report by the mid-semester review."

• College of Cyber and Computer Sciences

Evaluate Level: "Critically assess the security vulnerabilities of a given network system using penetration testing tools and propose mitigation strategies in a detailed project submission."

• "Bloom's Taxonomy": This resource explains the details and practical applications of the Revised Bloom's Taxonomy in educational settings. It is useful for educators looking to deepen their understanding of learning objectives. Link to resource

• "Bloom's Taxonomy: Structuring the Learning Journey": This video provides practical information for understanding Bloom's Taxonomy.