Sunday, October 24, 2010

Bloom’s Taxonomy in Technical Writing

The application of Bloom’s Taxonomy consistis of presentation, design, and assessment strategy. It can be used in e-learning, web-based training, or user manual. An application level objective requires simulations and step-by-step description. While, higher level learning requires case studies and role plays.

Six Levels of Cognitive Domain:
  • Knowledge: The information should be well-defined and explained to the user satisfaction. Describe the product background and features.
    Keywords: defines, describes, identifies, knows, labels, lists, matches, names, outlines, recalls, recognizes, reproduces, selects, and states.
  • Comprehension: Understanding of the application should be summarized. Describe the interface and behavior of the product.
    Keywords: comprehends, converts, defends, distinguishes, estimates, explains, extends, generalizes, gives, infers, interprets, paraphrases, predicts, rewrites, summarizes, and translates.
  • Application: Put the statement into action and relate the application with the document. Describe the product in step-by-step process.
    Keywords: applies, changes, computes, constructs, demonstrates, discovers, manipulates, modifies, operates, predicts, prepares, produces, relates, shows, solves, and uses.
  • Analyze: Scrutinize the information and verify with latest data. Provide relevant screenshots and references.
    Keywords: analyzes, breaks down, compares, contrasts, diagrams, deconstructs, differentiates, discriminates, distinguishes, identifies, illustrates, infers, outlines, relates, selects, and separates.
  • Synthesis: Create and predict the data. Describe how one action affects the product usage.
    Keywords
    : categorizes, combines, compiles, composes, creates, devises, designs, explains, generates, modifies, organizes, plans, rearranges, reconstructs, relates, reorganizes, revises, rewrites, summarizes, tells, and writes.
  • Evaluation: Interpret and justify the information. Proofread and verify it by SME.
    Keywords
    : appraises, compares, concludes, contrasts, criticizes, critiques, defends, describes, discriminates, evaluates, explains, interprets, justifies, relates, summarizes, and supports.