Bloom's Taxonomy
Progress from remembering to creating through six levels of understanding.
Explanation
Educational psychologist Benjamin Bloom identified six levels of learning, from basic recall to creative application. Most education stops at the bottom levels (remembering and understanding) but real expertise requires the higher levels (analyzing, evaluating, creating). Each level builds on the previous ones.
Real-World Example
Biology: Remember (name parts of cell), Understand (explain cell functions), Apply (predict what happens if membrane is damaged), Analyze (compare plant vs animal cells), Evaluate (judge which cell type is better for specific environment), Create (design experiment to test cell behavior).
How to Apply
For any topic, design learning activities at each level: Remember: flashcards, definitions. Understand: explain in your own words. Apply: solve problems, use in new situations. Analyze: compare, contrast, categorize. Evaluate: judge quality, make decisions. Create: combine ideas into something new. Don't skip levels—each builds on the previous.