COGNITIVE LEARNING, one of the three domains from Bloom's Taxonomy, emphasizes intellectual outcomes. Benjamin Bloom identified six levels within the cognitive domain. The six levels are: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

Knowledge is a starting point that includes both the acquisition of information and the ability to recall information when needed.
Comprehension is the basic level of understanding. It involves the ability to know what is being communicated in order to make use of the information.
Application is the ability to use a learned skill in a new situation.
Analysis is the ability to use a learned skill in a new situation.
Synthesis is the ability to combine existing elements in order to create something original.
Evaluation is the ability to make a judgement about the value of something by using a standard. 

Click on a level in the triangle to see examples of verbs from that level.

Questions should stimulate the range of students' cognitive skills. Choosing questions from each of the levels of Bloom's Taxonomy makes for a stimulating experience.
Questions may be used as "leading" questions as well as for assessment purposes. Both questions and responses may be oral, written, or demonstrated.

 Tammy Goodwater
San Diego State University