# Levels of Thinking

One of the most widely recognized models is Bloom’s Taxonomy of Cognitive Skills. This model outlines six hierarchical levels of thinking, each of which involves more complex cognitive processes than the one before it. Let’s look at these six levels and their corresponding results:

Remembering -> Understanding -> Applying -> Analyzing -> Evaluating -> Creating

1. Remembering:
   • Definition: The ability to recall or recognize specific facts, terms, basic concepts, and answers.
   • Results: Ensures that foundational knowledge is retained. Example activities include listing, describing, identifying, and retrieving information.
2. Understanding:
   • Definition: The ability to grasp the meaning of information; interpreting, translating, and summarizing concepts.
   • Results: Demonstrates comprehension. Example activities include explaining ideas, summarizing content, and discussing in your own words.
3. Applying:
   • Definition: Using knowledge in new situations; applying what has been learned to solve problems or carry out tasks.
   • Results: Shows practical use of the knowledge and skills. Example activities include implementing plans, using formulas, and solving real-world problems.
4. Analyzing:
   • Definition: Breaking down information into parts to understand its structure; identifying patterns, and relationships.
   • Results: Reflects an ability to see underlying principles and connections. Example activities include comparing, contrasting, categorizing, and identifying causes and effects.
5. Evaluating:
   • Definition: Making judgments based on criteria and standards; critiquing ideas and assessing the value or validity of information and arguments.
   • Results: Indicates critical thinking and the ability to make reasoned arguments. Example activities include justifying decisions, appraising, providing recommendations, and diagnosing issues.
6. Creating:
   • Definition: Putting elements together to form a new coherent or functional whole; generating new ideas, products, or ways of understanding.
   • Results: Demonstrates innovation and original thinking. Example activities include designing projects, developing a hypothesis, creating a new piece of work, or formulating a theory.