What Happens When Bloom’s Taxonomy is Used in the Classroom?

Rationale

The development of Higher-Order Thinking skills (HOTs) in learners is an important aspect of education as highlighted in Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education’s report in Improving Scottish Education (2009). Subsequently, this features as an area of focus in Building the Curriculum 4 literature (The Scottish Government, 2009). This document states that “It is important that all learners are given appropriate opportunities to develop their thinking skills.” Although not explicitly, the document then refers to the six levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy to be used as a framework for questioning. Engaging children in critical thinking can also promote a higher level of learning (Bloom, 1956). Teachers in Scotland therefore, have a responsibility to provide opportunities for children to develop their critical thinking skills.

Aims

The aim of this enquiry was to explore what impact the use of questioning using Bloom’s Taxonomy will have on critical thinking skills during literacy lessons with Primary 4/5 children.