FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

In Bloom's taxonomy, what is synthesis defined as?

1. Understanding existing information

2. Combining information in new ways

3. Evaluating data

4. Creating new tests

The correct answer is: Combining information in new ways

In Bloom's taxonomy, synthesis refers to the cognitive process of combining various pieces of information to form a new whole. This process often involves integrating ideas from different sources to create a unique perspective or solution. By focusing on the act of melding separate elements into a coherent structure, synthesis encourages higher-order thinking skills that move beyond merely recalling facts or understanding existing concepts. When educators aim for synthesis in the classroom, they are facilitating learning experiences that promote creativity and innovation. For instance, students might be tasked with developing a new project that utilizes knowledge from different subject areas or constructing a theoretical framework based on existing research. This reflects the essence of synthesis as not simply an amalgamation of ideas, but rather an inventive and organized way to generate new understanding or products that were not previously defined. The other options represent different levels of cognitive tasks within Bloom's larger framework; understanding relates to grasping the meaning of information, evaluating involves making judgments based on criteria and standards, and creating new tests is a more specific application of the creative process. Each of these is distinct from the concept of synthesis, which is fundamentally about reconfiguring and integrating existing knowledge.