Bloom’s Taxonomy: A Guide for Creating Effective Learning Outcomes
FREE download
Complete the form to download a quick reference guide (QRG) for creating effective learning outcomes using Bloom's revised Taxonomy.
In the ever-evolving landscape of instructional design, educators and instructional designers constantly seek effective frameworks to enhance the learning experience. One timeless and influential framework is Bloom’s Taxonomy.
What is Bloom’s Taxonomy?
In 1956, Benjamin Bloom created a taxonomy to classify learning objectives. Picture it as a ladder of thinking skills, ranging from simple to complex. It offers a multi-layered hierarchy, encompassing six cognitive domains (Bloom et al., 1956).
In 2001, a revised version of Bloom’s Taxonomy was developed by Lorin Anderson (a former student of Bloom) and David Krathwohl to better cater to the demands of 21st century learning (Anderson et al., 2001).
The six domains of Bloom’s Taxonomy
Bloom’s Taxonomy provides a richer, more nuanced roadmap for crafting learning experiences by moving learners past the basic domains of learning – remembering and understanding. The higher levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy are about fostering critical thinking, innovation and improved decision-making (Anderson et al., 2001).
Relevance to instructional design
Bloom’s Taxonomy provides a robust framework to structure and scaffold learning experiences and is particularly useful when defining learning objectives.
Bloom’s Taxonomy ensures:
Strategies and assessment aligned to outcomes
When outcomes are well-defined, it becomes infinitely easier to choose the right instructional strategies and assessment methods.
Outcome-driven content
Crafting outcomes using Bloom’s guidance ensures clarity. No more vague or ambiguous objectives. Instead, expect explicit, measurable, and achievable targets that are easy to assess.
Tailored outcomes
Whether you have learners needing to simply absorb data, or those ready for critical evaluation, Bloom helps you to pinpoint the precise cognitive level to target.
How to apply Bloom’s Taxonomy
The taxonomy’s brilliance lies in its ability to guide designers in developing learning objectives that address various cognitive processes.
Sounds great right?! But how do you go about actually applying this taxonomy when developing effective outcomes?
Introducing our quick reference guide (QRG) – your go-to tool for seamlessly applying Bloom’s Taxonomy. This guide offers suggested verbs for each level of thinking skills, ensuring your learning outcomes hit the mark.
FREE download
Complete the form to download a quick reference guide (QRG) for creating effective learning outcomes using Bloom's revised Taxonomy.
There’s more where that came from!
Here’s the exciting part – the QRG is just the tip of the iceberg! When you enrol in our Instructional Design PLUS Course, you gain exclusive access to the complete ADDIE Toolkit. This toolkit is a treasure trove of guides and templates meticulously crafted to support you through every phase of the ADDIE Model.
What’s the ADDIE Model, you ask? It’s an industry-respected instructional design framework that’s become a staple in the instructional design realm.
Whether you are looking for a career change or are an instructional designer looking to expand your skillset, our Instructional Design Plus Course will empower you to thrive in the dynamic field of instructional design.
References:
Bloom, B. S., & Krathwohl, D. R. (2020). Taxonomy of educational objectives: The classification of educational goals. Book 1, Cognitive domain. longman.
Anderson, L. W., & Krathwohl, D. R. (2001). A taxonomy for learning, teaching, and assessing: A revision of Bloom’s taxonomy of educational objectives: complete edition. Addison Wesley Longman, Inc..