How to learn anything faster with the Bloom Taxonomy

Read time: 4 min

Welcome back👋 

If you are a student, this is probably the most impactful newsletter you will read.

There are millions of videos about learning techniques.

From spaced repetition to active recall. But they are just techniques.

Instead, I want to give you a principle for learning — Bloom Taxonomy.

So by the end of this, you will learn:

• What is the Bloom Taxonomy?

• Why is it so important?

• How to use it.

What is the Bloom Taxonomy

“Bloom taxonomy was a system developed by Benjamin Bloom in 1956 with the purpose to provide a framework for categorizing educational goals and objectives based on different levels of cognitive complexity.”

Ok, but what does it mean?

Simply put:

“More Mental Effort“ = ”More Learning”

The Bloom Taxonomy has 6 levels:

• Memorization: Rote memorization

• Understanding: Explain a concept

• Apply: Usage of concept

• Analysis: Compare and contrast concepts

• Evaluation: Justify and weigh concepts

• Creation: Create an original concept

So why is it important?

The visual representation reminds us of 2 things:

1. Mental discomfort = Learning and Processing

2. You can fill the bottom levels by filling the top.

This means anything at a lower level:

• Flashcards

• Rewriting notes

• Rote memorization

Will waste your time.

Example:

Let's say you are learning about the role of photosynthesis in a plant's development

Here’s what each level look like:

• Memorization: You memorize the formula & definition.

• Understanding: You explain how photosynthesis works, including the reactants, the products, etc…

• Apply: You predict how a plant responds to different environmental conditions.

• Analysis: You compare and contrast photosynthesis in different types of plants.

• Evaluation: You evaluate, or defend the importance of photosynthesis for plant development.

• Creation: You create a simulation of the photosynthesis process.

Now let’s put it into action.

Step 1: Be aware of your current learning habit

After reading this newsletter…

Ask yourself:

“What learning level am I normally at?“

That’s now your baseline.

Whenever in doubt, check and reflect on that question.

2/ Engage in a higher-level learning method

While learning,

always find opportunities to connect the dots or compare them to the bigger picture.

• How does X relate to Y

• What is the bigger picture with X?

• What happens if X disappeared?

These questions help you understand things deeper and stop rote-memorizing facts.

3/ Use feedback loops for faster improvement

Practice does NOT make perfect.

Intentional practice does.

After your learning session, use Kolb’s Experimental Cycle to turn your learning session into an intentional experiment.

I made a Free Notion template with everything you need to know about Kolb’s Experimental Cycle:

Check it out here:

For more about the Bloom Taxonomy…

Watch this video:

That’s it from me.

Thank you for making it to the end

Reply with any questions that you have for me.

I’ll catch you on the next episode.

Cheers 🍵 

Toan