Bloom's Taxonomy and Personal Development
Posted Nov 2011
Personal development objectives are matter of conscious planning and prioritization of development activities. It is good to have extensive list of preferred areas of development that expand through wide areas of activities. But development requires the investment of time, money, resources and talent. Since all mentioned types of resources are limited, it is impossible to grow in every direction with the same pace.
Prioritization of personal development seems as obvious solution. But before prioritization is done, it is necessary to understand development needs. One of important aspects of defining of development needs is setting the extent of development. You need a good understanding about how far to develop. Learning objectives should be defined before personal development activities.
Benjamin Bloom proposed classification of learning objectives in 1956. The platform is officially named as Bloom's Taxonomy. The purpose of this classification was created in order to improve communication between educators on designing the development curriculums in different areas.
Classification of learning objectives is segmented into several distinctive layers. Each layer is supporting the following layer of learning. Several learning levels are cumulatively supports the next level.
Blooms taxonomy consist six layers, from lowest order processes to the highest:
Knowledge
The knowledge is the first level of Bloom's Taxonomy. It reflects the memory of previously learned data. This level is reflected through ability to remember and repeat different facts, terminology, concepts and theory.
Comprehension
Comprehension is the next level. On this level the individual is not only able to recall, but to understand the facts previously earned. The comprehension is the ability to understand the facts and theory by interpreting, commenting and answer two complex questions related to previously learned theory.
Application
The application is shown through usage of obtained knowledge. Ability to solve problems of new situations by using obtained acquired knowledge, facts and techniques. The individual does not only know and understand the theory, but is also able to apply them on concrete examples.
Analysis
Analysis is the next level of taxonomy. The individual is able to analyze elements, relationship and design principles of processes. The ability to analyze shows someone's skill to analyze the different interrelated elements and to make conclusions and suggestions
Synthesis
Synthesis is the next advanced level of Bloom's taxonomy. The person who already knows, understands, apply and analyze a certain knowledge is also able to synthesize a new elements, based on previous elements. Example, the physicist use already knows laws of physics in order to build up new theories.
Evaluation
Evaluation is the final stage of Bloom's taxonomy. The person is able to make judgment based on evidences, facts, and criteria. For example, the person who is knows and understands the theory of movie making, has experience in making movies, analyzing different movie elements may also be able to valuate the movie qualities, by using facts and evidences.
So, personal development can go in different direction, but also up to certain level. Development activity can be designed to satisfy a different learning objective. Blooms taxonomy can help you in creating your development goal.
The objectives of personal development need to be aligned with personal goals and strategies. It is not necessary to become professional books critic. Maybe you only want to learn more about a certain topic. In this case you are satisfied with first two levels of taxonomy. On the other hand, if you wand to be skilled in building the boat models, you need to learn and understand theory first. Later, you may try to build the boat models.
Recommended Reading:
Learning To Let Go
Formal Education and Personal Development
Sources of Motivation
Are You Being Hypnotized?
Self-Education: Active Learning
Intuition: The Sixth Sense
Personal Change Management
Developing And Maintaining The Positive Attitude
Wisdom Does Not Neccesarily Comes With Age
