Module 12

 

Study Strategies Extension Unit

Critical Thinking:  Bloom's Taxonomy

 

            Critical thinking is a skill that develops over time just like reading, swimming, or cooking.  Thinking can be improved with practice.  A critical thinker is constantly asking questions, trying to distinguish between fact and opinion.  A critical thinker analyzed all sides of an issue to find more in the situation than the obvious.  Additionally, a critical thinker makes assertions built on sound logic and solid evidence. 

            It is important to use critical thinking when learning and processing new information, but it is also necessary to use critical thinking in making decisions about when, where, and how to study, managing your time, and setting goals.  You will use critical thinking in determining the validity of an internet or library source, the best way to complete assignments, and how to get along with your professor and classmates.

Levels of Learning:  Bloom's Taxonomy

            When discussing critical thinking, learning experts usually categorize levels of thinking.  One of the most influential models is Bloom's Taxonomy. Bloom asserts that one level must be mastered before the next one can be understood.  Consider the following levels as you study, memorize material, and interact with individuals in your environment.

1. The first level of learning is knowledge.  This level is being able to make a list of something or to recognize it on a multiple-choice test. For example, you could select the answer, "SQ3R" on a test for being an effective textbook study strategy.
2. The second level of learning is comprehension.   You understand something to the degree that it can be explained in your own words.  You can translate or interpret it.  For example, you would know the components of SQ3R and be able to explain what the "survey" step is.
3. The third level is application. With this level, you find some practical use for the information and use it to solve problems.  For example, you could apply SQ3R to your sociology book.
4. The fourth level is analysis. When you analyze, you break complex ideas into parts and see how the parts work together.  You note that there is a time and place to use SQ3R efficiently.  You can decide that one part of SQ3R, perhaps the recitation section is most useful for studying sociology, but when you study math, the review section is most important to you.
5. The fifth level of Bloom's taxonomy is synthesis. When you synthesize, you make connections with things you already know.  You are able to draw conclusions and make predictions.  Summarizing a unit or predicting test questions are forms of synthesis. 
6. The sixth level of learning is evaluation. When you evaluate, you judge something's worth.  You compare it to a standard or expectation. For example, did the note-taking system work for you in history class or do you need to make adjustments?  If you used SQ3R for sociology, did you predict enough questions to provide an effective study guide? 

When you first learn something, you can't be expected to jump to the sixth level.  In order to master it, you have to know it, understand it, and apply it.  This is why when you cram at the last minute, you can do little more than memorize the information and you are often caught short when the answer requires more depth. 

This material was taken and adapted from:  Hopper, C. H. (2001). Practicing college study skills. Boston:  Houghton Mifflin.

Tutor Quiz 12 (Study Strategies) - L2