Bloom's taxonomy
One way to develop questions is using Bloom’s taxonomy, which examines questioning at six levels of cognitive processing.
Bloom has indicated that there is a progression of questions from lower order questioning to higher. These levels are: 1. Knowledge. 2. Comprehension. 3. Application. 4. Analysis. 5. Synthesis. 6. Evaluation. |
1) Knowledge
Knowledge questions are used by educators up to 90% of the time. They require that the learner is drawing upon their ability to memorize, recall and recognize.
These are lower level questions. These tend to be factual, closed ended, convergent and test recall.
Some verbs that may be used are: Who, what, where, when, why, describe, define, select and choose.
Sample stems:
- What happened when…?
- Who claimed to….?
- What did….?
2) Comprehension
In using comprehension questions, expect the learner to do one of the following:
- make interpretations
- state what they know in their own words
- organize and present what they have learned
- translate from one form to another
- extrapolate
Below, is a chart of sample of question stems and verbs that can be utilized for comprehension:
In using comprehension questions, expect the learner to do one of the following:
- make interpretations
- state what they know in their own words
- organize and present what they have learned
- translate from one form to another
- extrapolate
Below, is a chart of sample of question stems and verbs that can be utilized for comprehension:
3) Application
In selecting application questions, learners are asked to use or apply their learning. This could be done by having them produce something concrete, such as in our ALF project, by asking them to solve a problem, or by letting them explain how they can apply what they have learned and where it would be relevant. For example, Bloom indicates the following question stems:
- How is…an example of…?
- How is… related to…?
- Why is…significant?
4) Analysis
With analysis questions, learners will be expected to break down information into parts and examine the relationship between them. A sample of verbs to use are; examine, classify, compare, contrast, distinguish.
Sample question stems:
- Compare… with…
- Outline…
- Distinguish… from…
5) Synthesis
Synthesis questions require that the learner take elements from what they have learned and combine them in a new way such as in solving a problem.
Sample verbs to use; create, develop, design, plan, solve, propose.
Sample question stems:
- How would you solve….
- How would you create…
- Propose a solution to…
- Plan…..
- Design…
6) Evaluation
With evaluation questions learners are asked to make a judgement or evaluate something. They can be asked to; judge, choose, justify, appraise, rate, assess, defend, etc.
These questions usually involve making value decisions and developing one’s own opinion. Sample question stems according to Bloom are:
- What do you think about…?
- What is the most important….?
- How would you decide about….?
(Bloom, et all., 1956) Retrieved from http://www2.honolulu.hawaii.edu/facdev/guidebk/teachtip/questype.htm
In selecting application questions, learners are asked to use or apply their learning. This could be done by having them produce something concrete, such as in our ALF project, by asking them to solve a problem, or by letting them explain how they can apply what they have learned and where it would be relevant. For example, Bloom indicates the following question stems:
- How is…an example of…?
- How is… related to…?
- Why is…significant?
4) Analysis
With analysis questions, learners will be expected to break down information into parts and examine the relationship between them. A sample of verbs to use are; examine, classify, compare, contrast, distinguish.
Sample question stems:
- Compare… with…
- Outline…
- Distinguish… from…
5) Synthesis
Synthesis questions require that the learner take elements from what they have learned and combine them in a new way such as in solving a problem.
Sample verbs to use; create, develop, design, plan, solve, propose.
Sample question stems:
- How would you solve….
- How would you create…
- Propose a solution to…
- Plan…..
- Design…
6) Evaluation
With evaluation questions learners are asked to make a judgement or evaluate something. They can be asked to; judge, choose, justify, appraise, rate, assess, defend, etc.
These questions usually involve making value decisions and developing one’s own opinion. Sample question stems according to Bloom are:
- What do you think about…?
- What is the most important….?
- How would you decide about….?
(Bloom, et all., 1956) Retrieved from http://www2.honolulu.hawaii.edu/facdev/guidebk/teachtip/questype.htm