Bloom's Taxonomy Pyramid - New Version

In 1956, Benjamin Bloom headed a group of educational psychologists who developed a classification of levels of intellectual behavior important in learning. During the 1990's a new group of cognitive psychologists, led by Lorin Anderson (a former student of Bloom), updated the taxonomy to reflect relevance to 21st century work. The two graphics show the revised and original Taxonomy. Note the change from nouns to verbs associated with each level.

Note that the top two levels are essentially exchanged from the traditional to the new version.

Bloom's Taxonomy Pyramid - Old Version

Remembering: can the student recall or remember the information?

• define
• duplicate
• list
• memorize
• recall
• repeat
• reproduce
• state

Understanding: can the student explain ideas or concepts?

• classify
• describe
• discuss
• explain
• identify
• locate
• recognize
• report
• select
• translate
• paraphrase

Applying: can the student use the information in a new way?

• choose
• demonstrate
• dramatize
• employ
• illustrate
• interpret
• operate
• schedule
• sketch
• solve
• use
• write

Analyzing: can the student distinguish between the different parts?

• appraise
• compare
• contrast
• criticize
• differentiate
• discriminate
• distinguish
• examine
• experiment
• question
• test

Evaluating: can the student justify a stand or decision?

• appraise
• argue
• defend
• judge
• select
• support
• value
• evaluate

Creating: can the student create new product or point of view?

• assemble
• construct
• create
• design
• develop
• formulate
• write