Taxonomies of Learning
What is a taxonomy?
Taxonomies are classifications that organize or group concepts for better study and understanding. An educational taxonomy is a way to classify levels of thinking and knowing or to demonstrate a progression from concrete thinking to complex analysis.
Why are they helpful?
According to educator Benjamin Bloom, we create and use taxonomies for many reasons. They:
- Facilitate communication.
- Ensure accuracy of communication.
- Define vague terms.
- Specify objectives.
- Clarify goals and outcomes.
- Clarify relationships between learning goals.
- Allow for comparison and understanding between educators.
- Allow for comparison and understanding between, curriculum, goals, and outcomes.
- Aid in building curriculum.
(Bloom, 1956, p1-11)
The following are abstracts representing 4 prominent educational taxonomies.