Learner Outcome Guidelines
Bloom's Taxonomy*
Benjamin Bloom created this taxonomy for categorizing level of abstraction of questions that commonly occur in educational settings. The taxonomy provides a useful structure in which to write learning outcomes, structure teaching methodology, and ask questions of learners.
| Competence Area to Evaluate | Teaching Methodology and Learner Outcome Examples |
|---|---|
| Knowledge | Teaching Methodology: Observe and recall information; knowledge of dates, events, places; knowledge of major ideas; mastery of subject matter Skill Demonstration: Create opportunities that assess knowledge. Examples include:
Learner Outcome Example: "As a result of this activity the participant will be able to list..." |
| Comprehension | Teaching Methodology: Understanding information; grasp meaning; translate knowledge into new context; interpret facts, compare, contrast; order, group, infer causes; predict consequences Skill Demonstration: Create opportunities that assess comprehension. Examples include:
Learner Outcome Example: "As a result of this activity, the participant will be able to summarize..." |
| Application | Teaching Methodology: Use information; use methods, concepts, theories in new situations; solve problems using required skills or knowledge Skill Demonstration: Create opportunities that assess application. Examples include:
Learner Outcome Example: "As a result of this activity, the participant will be able to apply..." |
| Analysis | Teaching Methodology: See patterns; organize parts; recognize hidden meanings; identify components Skill Demonstration: Create opportunities that assess analysis. Examples include:
Learner Outcome Example: "As a result of this activity, the participant will be able to analyze..." |
| Synthesis | Teaching Methodology: Use old ideas to create new ones; generalize from given facts; relate knowledge from several areas; predict; drawn conclusions Skill Demonstration:Create opportunities that assess synthesis. Examples include:
Learner Outcome Example: "As a result of this activity, the participant will be able to combine.." |
| Evaluation | Teaching Methodology: Compare and discriminate between ideas; assess value of theories; presentations; make choices based on reasoned argument; verify value of evidence; recognize subjectivity Skill Demonstration: Create opportunities that assess evaluation. Examples include:
Learner Outcome Example: "As a result of this activity, the participant will be able to assess...' |
*Adapted from: Bloom, B.S. (Ed.) (1956) Taxonomy of educational objectives: The classification of educational goals: Handbook I, cognitive domain. New York; Toronto: Longmans, Green.
