The Taxonomy Of Learning
The article explaines the taxonomy of learning and why it is so important for content-planning of a seminar.
In the 1950s, a group of psychologists at the University of Chicago, led by Benjamin Bloom, an American psychologist and educationalist, developed a taxonomy of learning. Teachers can use these levels of cognitive learning to develop optimal learning goals.
The taxonomy of learning goals in the cognitive domain is built from simple to complex behaviors.
Each individual taxonomy level serves as a foundation for the next level.
The task of the trainer is to impart his respective learning content in such a way that the participants receive optimal learning success. The taxonomy levels help him to prepare as well as possible and to plan the content in the right depth.
The taxonomy level in which a (sub-)topic is to be taught determines the duration that the topic takes in the seminar and the methods used to convey the topic.
Knowledge
The first stage is about the transmission of knowledge. The participants know the respective (partial) topic. You've heard about it and you know what it's about.
Without the basis of knowledge, it is not possible to move to the next level of taxonomy.
Example at the steering wheel of selling
The participants know the steering wheel of selling and know what happens in the 6 individual phases.
Ability
The respective (partial) topic can be applied by the participants.
This level is about applying knowledge and solving problems. The participants can use the knowledge they have acquired correctly so that they can work out solutions to specific problems. This strengthens and deepens their understanding of the existing knowledge.
Example at the steering wheel of selling
The participants can use the 6 phases to plan, carry out and follow up on sales talks.
Teach
The participants are able to teach the respective (partial) topic.
In the third level, the participants have progressed so far that they can explain and teach the knowledge they have acquired from the previous two levels to others. Complex relationships are understandable and communicable for the participants.
Example at the steering wheel of selling
The participants can convey the steering wheel of sales, its goals and phases to other people in an understandable way.
Develop
The participants are able to further develop or improve the respective (partial) topic.
In the last level of the taxonomy, the participants are able to expand and increase their acquired knowledge. They are able to develop alternative possibilities for the respective (partial) topic and to communicate them plausibly.
Example at the steering wheel of selling
The participants can also conduct difficult sales talks independently, where the individual phases may not be clearly assignable, may be postponed or repeated (e.g. back to the needs analysis after the product presentation). The steering wheel of selling is now used as a kind of template, but is independently adjusted as needed.