Verbs for Learning Objectives / Learning Outcomes

 

 

 

The verbs used in learning objectives or learning outcomes should correspond to the level of thought at which the learners are expected to perform or function. The following lists of verbs are provided to help recognize the levels of thought and to help you write learning objectives that address the various levels of skill your learner should attain. By creating learning objectives using these verbs, you indicate explicitly what the learner must do in order to demonstrate learning.

 

 

 

Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning

This list is arranged according to Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning. Bloom’s Taxonomy classifies thinking according to six cognitive levels of complexity: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. The categories are ordered from simple to complex and from concrete to abstract. Each level becomes more challenging as you move higher.

 

 

 

 

Cognitive competency or complexity begins at the knowledge level learning and advances up the taxonomy to comprehension, application, and then to the higher order thinking skills involved in analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.

 

Bloom’s Taxonomy

Bloom’s Taxonomy Revised

 

 

 

 

 

 

Determining Verbs for Learning Objectives

When determining your learning objectives, consider using a verb from the appropriate cognitive domain below. This list will help you express specific performance expectations you have of the learners at the completion of the course.

 

 

 

 

Knowledge

This is the lowest level of learning. This cognitive level focuses on the ability to remember or retrieve previously learned material. The learning standards at this level simply ask the learner to recognize and recall data or information.

Examples of verbs that relate to the Knowledge domain are:  

Arrange Define Delineate Describe Distinguish Identify Indicate Group List

Label Locate Match Memorize     Name Outline        Order Quote Recall

Recite Repeat Record Recognize Specify Select State Underline Write

 

 

 

 

Comprehension

This cognitive level focuses on the ability to grasp or construct meaning from material. The learning standards at this level ask the learner to demonstrate understanding of the meaning and ideas by organizing, comparing, translating, summarizing, or paraphrasing.

Examples of verbs that relate to the Comprehension domain are:  

Calculate Conclude Convert Choose Characterize Classify Complete Discuss        Describe Depict Determine

Differentiate Draw Explain Express       Establish Illustrate Interpret Identify Infer Locate Outline

Paraphrase Represent Report         Review         Recognize Restate Summarize  Select Sort Tell Translate

 

 

 

 

Application

This level focuses on the ability to use information in new ways or situations. The learning standards at this level ask the learner to use the newly acquired information in a new situation or different way from the original context.

Examples of verbs that relate to the Application domain are:  

Apply Calculate Change Collect Compute Conduct Construct Demonstrate Develop Dramatize Draw Employ Exhibit

Experiment Generalize Illustrate Implement Interpret Initiate Make Manipulate Operate Organize Perform Practice Prescribe

Prepare Produce Relate Restructure Schedule Shop Solve  Show  Sketch Teach Translate Use Utilize

 

 

 

 

Analysis

This level consider to be a higher order of thinking. This level focuses on the ability to examine and break information or concepts into component parts so that its organizational structure may be understood. The learning standards at this level ask the learner to separate the whole into its parts, in order to better understand the organization of the whole and the relationships between the parts.

Examples of verbs that relate to the Analysis domain are:  

Analyze Appraise Arrange Calculate Categorize Classify Compare Conclude Contrast Correlate Critique Deduce Debate Detect Determine Develop

Diagram Diagnose Differentiate Discover Dissect Distinguish Draw Estimate Evaluate Examine Experiment Explore Group Identify Infer Inquire

Inspect Inventory Investigate Order Organize Predict Question Probe Relate Research Scrutinize Separate Sequence Solve Survey Test

 

 

 

 

Synthesis

This level also considered to be a higher order of thinking. This level focuses on the ability to compile information in a different way by combining elements in a new pattern or proposing alternative solutions. The learning standards at this level ask the learner to put parts together to form a unique new whole or build a structure from diverse elements.

Examples of verbs that relate to the Synthesis domain are:  

Arrange Appraise Assess Assemble Collect Combine Compile Compose Construct Create Consolidate Choose Compare Critique Derive Design Develop Devise

Estimate Evaluate Formulate Forecast Generalize Generate Hypothesize Improve Infer Invent Judge Manage Measure Merge Modify Organize Originate Imagine

Plan Predict Prepare Pretend Produce Propose Rate Reorganize Revise Show Select Set up Synthesize Validate Value Test Theorize Write

 

 

 

Evaluation

This is considered by Bloom to be the highest level of learning. This cognitive level focuses on the ability to make judgments about the value of ideas or materials and able to present and defend opinions based on a set of criteria. The learning standards at this highest level ask the learner to judge, check, critique the value of material to make decisions.

Examples of verbs that relate to the Evaluation domain are:  

Appraise Argue Arrange Assemble Assess Choose Collect Compose Construct Create Compare Conclude Critique Criticize Debate Decide Deduce Defend Determine Discriminate

Design Develop Devise Envision Estimate Evaluate Examine Formulate Grade Inspect Infer Judge Justify Manage Measure Modify Organize Plan Predict Prioritize

Probe Prepare Produce Propose Rank Rate Review Reconstruct Recommend Referee Reject Revise Score Select Support Set-up Synthesize Systematize Validate Value