Get Your Students Hired
My classes are at the compprehension and application level. I use the taxonomy to correctly write the objectives by using the write verbs.
I use this technique when teaching Nursing because students are required to have a certain knowledge base to become a safe competent nurse. My lesson plan focuses on teaching them the information needed to prepare them. I have to structure the lesson plans and use /materials/resourses to help the student understand the rationale so that he/she can actively utilize it in the clinical setting and with test scores.. All of this is done and measured using different applications of teaching styles.
I find that many of my students are at the beginning stages of the learning taxonomy scale. They need a lot of help. I teach many of the introductory classes so needs are high. I try to get them started in a humane way. I try not to put too much stress on them as they begin school.
I like to use pre and post tests to show the students what they have learned. It also is nice to see the level of learning at the end of each class.
I also like to go over the class objectives at the end of each class especially when a project has been completed to show the student's which objective(s) have been met.
For the future, I think it's extremely important to use assessments to gauge the learners in the classroom. I start a new class tomorrow and will use this concept "learning taxonomy" in regards to each week's lesson plan.
Sandra,
I agree with this approach and also feel that the students should "control the speed". Students tend to become disenchanted with the course, when instructors "control the speed" based upon covering the necessary material only. There has to be a proper balance of covering the material and ensuring that the students are retaining and applying the learned concepts.
Tremayne Simpson
I've found that the "key" to using learning is the "Flexibility" as mentioned in the lessons. Although I have a clear roadmap/learning plan put together for my Beginning Accounting class (one of my current classes), I am constantly on the look out for signs of gauging where my students sit in their "learning". Sometimes I can go at a snails pace and other times not. I use two learning signs to gauge that: 1) small signs like their questions in class, glaced over eyes, and stress levels; and 2) homework, quizes and verbal discussions/questions and answer sessions. These concepts work perfectly. The students control the speed and somehow it all works.
The Learning Taxonomy will help me to make sure that knowledge, comprehension, and application are all a part of my lesson plan. In my field I would use both a written and practical (hands-on) assessment to test my student's readiness for the next level.
Thank you. I will research this further and apply it to my class and writing my lesson plans. I see it as very helpful to say to my students: a) these are the concepts, b) this is how you apply it to problems in communication.
Billy,
This is not a "stupid" question...in fact their are many instructors that are not familiar with Bloom's taxonomy. The Learning Taxonomy section of this course, provide an excellent summary of how the theory can be placed into instructional practice, however thousands of academic journals and publications have compiled research and background on Bloom's Taxonomy and can be found within any educational database (i.e. EBSCO, FirstSearch, etc.).
Tremayne Simpson
I hate to appear stupid. However, I am not familiar with Bloom's Learning Taxonomy. How can I learn more?
I might use it to actually build on the week to week lesson plan. If I start with the basic skill and then give a test at the beginning of the next lesson to see how they have learned the previous lesson and build on those skills always keeping in mind that the end result will be a person who can achieve well on the standardized test at the end of the program
Gilbert,
This is a great "best practice". With a full understanding of Bloom's taxonomy, the student will be able to comprehend the sequencing of assignments and how the course will cover the learning objectives.
Tremayne Simpson
I discuss Bloom's taxonomy with my nursing students early to help them transition from knowledge-based questions to application questions, which are typical on the state board exam.
I believe this will be a very helpful tool in instructing my students and making sure they are getting out of the course what they need to know in order to succeed in their chosen careers.
jim,
It is a great idea to create a topic-based curriculum group. With this group you can discuss common student trends and available resources.
Tremayne Simpson
As we are a new campus in our area, I am presently building a consortium of the Mathematics Professors from the campuses in the two adjoining States. As we discuss online or in meeting, we will go through the different parts of the Lesson Planning and Taxonomy.
Now that I have learnt about Bloom's Learning Taxonomy I will use it in formatting the learning objectives for my next course. I have in a way been using it without knowing, but I can look use it as I prepare my next lesson plan.
Jesus,
Thanks for sharing your educational experience. What methods do you use to assess your students' comprehension levels and preparedness for completing application-based activities?
Tremayne Simpson
When I started teaching, being a career changer and not having an education major, I was not aware of Bloom's taxonomy; therefore, my activities and exams only assessed content or skills at the knowledge or comprehension levels. After having completed my Master's degree in education and getting acquainted with taxonomy, I have understood the importance of including at least one objective from the application level in every unit of content I teach. I believe that students only internalize and appropriate knowledge when they can apply it to solving a real-life problem or situation.