Group K: Common Sense Education (2016a; b) and Damnik, Proske & Körndle (2016)

Computer Use 774:
Bloggers K: Blog Post


Bloom’s taxonomy is a representation of different cognitive thinking levels, with knowledge being the lowest and evaluation being the highest. The video illustrates how the updated version of Bloom’s taxonomy model can be used across the digital world. This new version altered the original nouns into action based verbs, thus Bloom’s taxonomy now reads: Remember, Understand, Apply, Analyze, Synthesize and Evaluate.

The model can be used within the digital world by introducing digital terms for each level, for instance within the creative level the terms ‘remix’, ‘blog’, and ‘program’ can be used as each has an element of creation. Adding technology creates a whole new level to teaching and learning and allows opportunity for learners’ potentials to be discovered. The focus, however, should not be on the ‘tools’ as such, but how the tools can be utilised in altering our way of thinking, our creativity, and to help learners to remember content (visual as well as audio). Bill Gates once stated: “Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is most important.” This means that even though the use of electronic equipment and media can be beneficial in the classroom, it should not replace the teacher.

In the 21st century technology is ever changing, and our reliance on it is ever growing. It is therefore not surprising that technology is moving into our school systems and forcing the phasing out of the “old way” of teaching (pen & paper, blackboard & chalk). The advantage of incorporating digital verbs into the taxonomy is that it promotes modern skill development and allows learners the freedom to function in the environment they are most familiar with. Technology, when used appropriately, can be highly beneficial in enriching the learning experience as well as the teacher-learner interaction with the content material. It is therefore essential that educators, who chose to use a computer-based learning environment, are trained well enough and have a broad understanding of technological tools and how to use them effectively.

Blooms taxonomy assists teachers in identifying the academic level that their students are operating within and what their capabilities are. This is of great importance when in the classroom environment as it is vital that the teacher is aware of learners’ capabilities and limitations. With this knowledge teachers can provide learners with the necessary tools they need to assist them with difficulties and to succeed. Ultimately, what the video presents is the opportunity teachers have to incorporate the digital world into their learning spaces through the use of apps that apply each level of Bloom’s taxonomy.


Group Members:

Robyn Beer (18427219)
Naomi Buys (17171652)
T. Meissenheimer (16207874)
Julia Mentor (17906997)
Jonathan Pedro 18253180
Dorianne Prince (16657233)
Niel Rossouw (16949374)

Simone Scott (18243363)