FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

In Bloom's Revised Taxonomy, which level comes after 'Understanding'?

1. Analyzing

2. Applying

3. Evaluating

4. Creating

The correct answer is: Applying

In Bloom's Revised Taxonomy, the order of cognitive processes progresses from lower-order thinking skills to higher-order thinking skills. After the 'Understanding' level, which involves comprehending the meaning of information and expressing it in one's own words, the next level is 'Applying.' This stage entails using the knowledge gained to solve problems, execute tasks, and apply concepts in real-world scenarios. At the 'Applying' level, students demonstrate their ability to extend their learning beyond mere comprehension, actively using what they have learned in practical situations. This might involve executing a procedure, implementing a theory, or utilizing concepts in various contexts, showing a higher degree of engagement and capability with the material compared to simply understanding it. The levels that follow—'Analyzing,' 'Evaluating,' and 'Creating'—require increasingly complex thought processes, including breaking information into parts, making judgments based on criteria, and generating new ideas or products. Thus, 'Applying' serves as a crucial stepping stone on the path to these more advanced levels of cognitive development.