Assessing Student Learning

Bloom's Taxonomy of Education Objectives is a tool for pedagogical development that outlines six categories of learning objectives:

1. Remember 
2. Understand 
3. Apply 
4. Analyze 
5. Evaluate 
6. Create

Below are examples of different methods for assessing each learning objective: Bloom’s Taxonomy Level: Remember

• Learning Outcome: Recall facts and basic concepts. 
• Assessment Types: Fill-in-the-Blank Test Questions 
  • Multiple Choice Test Questions 
  • Labeling Diagrams/Visuals 
  • Reciting (orally, musically, or in writing) 

Bloom’s Taxonomy Level: Understand

• Learning Outcome: Explain ideas or concepts. 
• Assessment Types: Summarization Questions 
  • Class Discussions 
  • Written Papers (e.g., Comparison/contrast of two theories, Summarize a theory/concept) 

Bloom’s Taxonomy Level: Apply

• Learning Outcome: Use information in new situations. 
• Assessment Types: Problem Sets 
  • Labs Role Play 
  • Application Cards 

Bloom’s Taxonomy Level: Analyze

• Learning Outcome: Draw connections among ideas. 
• Assessment Types: Projects 
  • Case Studies 
  • Critiques 
  • Debates 
  • Presentations 
  • Concept Maps 

Bloom’s Taxonomy Level: Evaluate

• Learning Outcome: Justify a stand or decision. 
• Assessment Types: Essays 
  • Critiques 
  • Reviews 
  • Case Studies 

Bloom’s Taxonomy Level: Create

• Learning Outcome: Produce new or original perspectives. 
• Assessment Types: Essays 
  • Journal Entries 
  • Ethical Dilemmas 
  • Develop Research Projects/Studies 
  • Develop Business Plans/Products 
  • Develop New Designs/Prototypes 
  • Performances/Compositions 

You can find additional assessment types with detailed descriptions on the Classroom Assessment Techniques page.