Employment Solutions for Immigrant Youth

Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives

How to set your learning goals for Learning at the Right Level

Are you an expert at everything?

 
Of course, your answer is probably no. No matter what we do, none of us are
experts at every single thing that we're responsible for. Some tasks need only How much do you
a minimal amount of knowledge, while others require us to know the subject   need to know about
what you're learning?
in detail. Our level of expertise largely depends on our role.  
 

Whenever we learn something new, we start at the lowest level of understanding. The more we
learn about the subject, the more we "move up" to the next level in skill and complexity, and the
more we're able to do with this information. At the start, we simply know about a topic – but
when we reach the highest levels of understanding, we're able to make educated judgments
and form well-rounded arguments to support our theories.

 
The six levels of Bloom's Taxonomy relate to "cognitive" functions – i.e. functions associated
with knowledge, comprehension and application. Let's look at each level in greater detail,
starting at the lowest:

1. Knowledge – This is learning at its most basic level. People at this level can remember
specifics such as terminology and dates, and they can remember facts and figures to
answer basic questions.

2. Comprehension – Comprehension means that individuals can derive meaning from

their knowledge by organizing, comparing, and interpreting the information.

3. Application – When people can apply their knowledge, they can use the information in
a new or different way to solve problems.

4. Analysis – At this level, individuals can break the information down into parts, and then

Developed by Bill Tucker for Employment Solutions for Immigrant Youth

Adapted from: http://mindtools.com/community/pages/article/newISS_86.php
 Employment Solutions for Immigrant Youth

examine those parts individually. The individual can see how each piece relates to the
whole, understanding things like cause and effect as well as relationships.

5. Synthesis – Synthesis means that people can make educated judgments about the
information, and they can propose new solutions.

6. Evaluation – This last level means that individuals can put together all of the elements
to form a whole.

The benefit of Bloom's Taxonomy is that it helps us identify where we currently are on the
pyramid. We can also use the pyramid to help us understand whether or not we are
progressing through our learning in the way we should.
 
How to Use the Tool
So, how can you use Bloom's Taxonomy? We'll take a look at the example of ESIY’s Computer
Familiarization (CF) as a program of learning.

 Level 1: Knowledge

At this level, knowledge can be repeated in the same way it was learned – writing,
defining, listing, labelling, and naming. If your learning progresses to this level, you
should be able to:

 Say what CF is.

 Explain each element of CF learning (hardware, software, applications, etc.).

 Level 2: Comprehension

Here, knowledge turns into comprehension and understanding. Explaining,

summarizing, paraphrasing, and illustrating take place.

At this level, you should be able to:

 Describe why CF is important to your Career and Educational plans, and the
workplace.
 Understand the benefits and disadvantages of CF.

 Level 3: Application

Here, an actionable plan is created. Processing, solving, applying, and constructing

take place.

At this level, you should be able to:

 Apply appropriate software, hardware, and techniques in the completion of

specific tasks.

 Level 4: Analysis

Developed by Bill Tucker for Employment Solutions for Immigrant Youth

Adapted from: http://mindtools.com/community/pages/article/newISS_86.php
 Employment Solutions for Immigrant Youth

Fact is separated from fiction. Categorizing, comparing, separating, and contrasting

take place.

At this level, you should be able to:

 Place software into its specific category, and identify its role in work
processing.
 Discuss and debate the most appropriate hardware, software, application and
technique for a specific task.
 Compare and contrast other software, hardware and techniques (mouse vs.
keyboard).

 Level 5: Synthesis

At this level, integration and creativity occur. Old information is put together in a new
way. Creating, designing, inventing, and developing – as well as checking and
critiquing – take place.

You should be able to:

 Hypothesize whether one application would be more appropriate or function

better than another (Excel vs. Access).
 Add and discover new approaches or techniques.

 Level 6: Evaluation

In this last stage of learning, complete understanding has occurred. All of the parts
come together, resulting in action. Judgment, recommendations, and justifications take
place.

You should be able to:

 Justify and defend your reasoning behind completing a task using specific
software, hardware, applications and techniques.
 Suggest and/or implement changes to existing processes.  

Key Points
Correctly identifying your level of knowledge can help you make sure you are at the right level
to ensure your success. Bloom's Taxonomy model will help you see clearly where you are
currently, so that you can determine where you need to be to achieve your goals.

Not everyone needs to achieve Level 6 to function well in their work. However, in order to function
appropriately in the workplace, you need to understand what level a person in that role should be capable
of and achieve that level while you are here at ESIY.

Developed by Bill Tucker for Employment Solutions for Immigrant Youth

Adapted from: http://mindtools.com/community/pages/article/newISS_86.php