Bloom's Taxonomy as a six-level scheme for classifying the cognitive level of multiple-choice questions¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · 1 claim (1 mixed) · 1 study (1 associational), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 1 claim rests on one study

Description¶

The article uses Bloom's Taxonomy as the classification scheme for the cognitive level of multiple-choice questions, describing it as organizing 'the levels of learning into six categories ranging from simple to complex'. Table 2 lists the levels with characteristic student behaviors: Knowledge (remembering; memorizing; recognizing), Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis, and Evaluation. The authors use this scheme to categorize their sample questions, labelling their ballistic pendulum EMC question as level 3 and their word-list question as level 5 synthesis.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Question writers must judge which Bloom's level a question targets

Constraints¶

• The article notes opinion/feedback questions are not included in the classification scheme of Bloom's Taxonomy

Target Learners¶

• teachers constructing multiple-choice questions across secondary and college levels

Target Learning Objectives¶

• classifying the cognitive level of assessment questions
• creating higher cognitive level questions

Claims¶

• Pre-service teachers' self-efficacy and instructional-planning levels were relatively high, but Bloom taxonomy classification was low [~W]

Related Theories¶

• Bloom's Taxonomy cognitive domain as a six-level framework for classifying examination questions
• Bloom's Taxonomy
• ICAP-Bloom adapted coding scheme for cognitive engagement in online discussion posts
• Four-category categorical system for organizing technology content into teachable units
• Three-category state PreK4 investment classification (High, Growing, Low)

Examples¶

• TSMTDF: form for determining objective-oriented taxonomy, strategy, and method-techniques with scoring rubric

Key Sources¶

• Burnstein, R. A. and Lederman, L. M. (2007). Wireless Keypads −− A New Classroom Technology Using Enhanced Multiple-Choice Questions. Physics Education. https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/0031-9120