Bloom's Taxonomy

Course Learning Outcomes vs Learning Objectives Overview

Course Learning Outcomes

Course learning outcomes are broad, overarching statements describing the overall expectations for what a student should be able to do by the end of the course. These outcomes typically reflect the comprehensive knowledge, skills, and abilities students are expected to acquire. They provide a high-level view of the desired learning achievements.

Examples of Course Learning Outcomes

High School Chemistry Course
- Outcome: Students will be able to apply basic chemistry principles of the structure and properties of matter, periodic trends, and chemical reactions to make informed decisions and think critically about the world around them.
Course in Introductory Physics
- Outcome: Students will develop a deep understanding of fundamental principles in classical mechanics, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics, applying these principles to solve complex problems.

Course Learning Objectives

Learning objectives are specific, measurable, and observable statements that break down the course learning outcome into smaller actionable components. They provide a roadmap for instructional design, detailing what students need to achieve at a more granular level. Learning objectives are often aligned with specific lessons or units within a course.

Examples of Course Learning Objectives

High School Chemistry Course
- Outcome: Students will be able to use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements
Course in Introductory Physics
- Outcome: Students will be able to apply Newton's Laws to solve problems related to forces, motion, and energy.

Course Learning Outcomes vs Learning Objectives

Overview of Bloom's Taxonomy

Bloom's Taxonomy is a hierarchical framework that classifies educational framework into six levels, ranging from lower-order thinking skills to higher-order thinking skills. Each level represents a different cognitive process. Educators use Bloom's Taxonomy to create learning objectives and assess the depth of students understanding. The six levels in the taxonomy are discussed below.

Create

Create is the highest level in Bloom's Taxonomy which requires students to create new ideas or products to demonstrate their knowledge.

Common Terminology: Design, assemble, construct, develop, formulate.

Evaluate

Evaluation - this level requires students to make judgments about the value or effectiveness of information, arguments, or solutions.

Common Terminology: Appraise, Argue, Justify, Critique, Rank.

Analyze

Analyze - At this level students break down information into parts, examine relationships, and draw connections.

Common Terminology: Categorize, Compare, Differentiate, Simplify, Outline.

Apply

Apply - At this level students demonstrate their ability to apply learned concepts in solving problems or performing tasks.

Common Terminology: Calculate, Modify, Use, Model, Write.

Understand

Understand - At this level, students demonstrate their understanding by explaining what is being taught in their own words.

Common Terminology: Summarize, Interpret, Explain, Identify, Describe.

Remember

Remember - This is the foundational level where students demonstrate their ability to recall factual information or basic concepts.

Common Terminology: List, Define, Label, Match, Identify.

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