Bloom’s Taxonomy is used regularly by many teachers to extend their student’s thinking through engagement in stimulating learning tasks. This diagram of the revised taxonomy from Andrew Churches webpage, identifies key verbs associated with learning at each skill level.
More importantly, Andrew links new technologies with digital literacies in each level of the revised Bloom’s taxonomy. In the diagram below, the blue words represent the new skills required at each level for students to engage in using new digital literacies. He elaborates on how digital literacy can support the development of each of these thinking skills particularly as most of our students encounter these new literacies on a daily basis outside the classroom. This is a valuable guide for teachers in looking at ways to incorporate contemporary literacy practice into classroom teaching. (If you are not sure how to incorporate digital technologies, go to this terrific blog Transitioning to Web 2.0 ).
I have seen some great learning in classrooms where teachers have applied some simple technologies to enhance student learning. These students see learning as an adventure where they have a strong voice. They are totally enraptured with what they are learning. Teachers do this despite having little or no access (in some schools) to basic technology that works! Legends!
So why am I still frustrated? Partly it is because I see the primary teachers I work with struggle with the outdated technology they have access to at school. Computers that don’t read USB drives!! Computers with old Windows programs. No access to data projectors. Problems with slow bandwith. So slow that they give up using the internet!! I hear what provisions are made for my secondary colleagues (mainly as a result of the laptop rollout program…yes, I understand this) and I despair at the inequity.
But that’s an argument for another day (heavy sigh)!
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