The Cognitive Domain of Bloom's Taxonomy

Tutorial Task: Design 6 Questions on 

the Cognitive Domain of Bloom's Taxonomy

      The picture above displays the 6 questions that are designed by my group members. Unfortunately... T_T We didn't set a specific topic. There is no text given also, as a reference to answer the questions. The questions that we designed are more to open-ended questions. Meaning that the question that we set for the level "Comprehension" can also be used in "Application", for example. Although we did state the verb for each level, the answers for each questions are too broad. 

Why? What? How? 

If students are asked to answer the questions "Why..? What...? and How...?", there will be various answers. Then, how are we going to evaluate the answers? Which one is right? Which one is wrong? Which answers deserve more marks? These will be hard!!! 

     

      So, what I learned is that, if I were to design questions based on the 6 cognitive domains of Bloom's Taxonomy, I should set a specific topic or provide a text if I want to ask open-ended questions. 

     

The picture on the left illustrates the 6 questions designed by other group. Although the questions are also open-ended questions (mostly WH- questions), they are examples of good questions for different levels of cognitive domain. This is because they provide a text so that students can refer to it while answering their questions. 

The picture on the right also shows that the questions designed are based on a particular topic, which is "Pollution". 

The examples shown above are questions on the cognitive domain of Bloom's Taxonomy, designed based on a particular topic, picture or text only. Actually, the questions designed must not necessary based on ONE topic only. Let's have a look at the picture below. 

There are pictures, instructions, topic and text which can guide the students in answering the questions. 

Tests... @@

There have always been tests in schools throughout the curriculum. Why are there so many tests??? Wow… if started to count from kindergarten, to primary then secondary schools, I had been in schools for more or less 15 years. How many tests have I taken for that 15 years??? Innumerable!!! Even in uni, we have to sit for quizzes, mid-terms and final exams. So, why do teachers test students? Hmm… Actually, teachers use various kinds of tests to find out how well students are learning and if their instruction has been successful or not, place students at different levels, report the performance of schools and etc.

I just got to know that there are six types of tests, namely (i) progress test, (ii) achievement test, (iii) diagnostic test, (iv) placement test, (v) proficiency test, and (vi) aptitude test. Progress test and achievement tests are similar, where both the tests are used to determine whether students have acquired the appropriate skills and knowledge. However, achievement test is usually given by the end of a given period of instruction.

The following table illustrates types of tests and purposes, and when the tests are administered.

** Types of Tests and Purposes **