From Bloom to Blog

Good evening, intertubes.

For the longest time, I always viewed the internet and technology as something that is a constant hindrance to concentration and higher learning skills.  I mean, it doesn't take but one millisecond to become to distracted on the internet and shift from reading an article, to watching a stupid video on youtube.

Yet, as I researched the topic of using the internet and using technology wisely, I am becoming a believer in technology as a tool for high-order thinking and problem-solving skills.

Over two decades ago, Benjamin Bloom came up with a list of different levels of learning.  These levels are:

1. Knowledge

2. Comprehension

3. Application

4. Analysis

5. Synthesis

6. Evaluation

I have often looked at technology as only addressing the first two levels of Bloom's intellectual behavior.  It shows that I have viewed technology largely as a source of information, and not much more.  The techtorial we had to read mentions this as a common belief among educators.  This is partly because the internet and technology can be reduced to this, but it has much more potential.

Technology has the ability to be most effective in building critical thinking skills in the form of project learning.  The best part about this is that with online resources, this type of learning the leads towards higher levels of thinking can be applied to a wide array of ages.

For instance, students of all ages can be working on a Christopher Columbus project (in honor of the day off that I didn't receive...).  Younger students could go to a website that generates flashcards for quick learning.  Secondary students can go to Library of Congress' American Memory to find information on the topic.

Besides gathering information for knowledge, comprehension and application, technology can also tap into the higher faculties of Bloom's list.  There are many sources where students who, after doing their research, can put their thoughts and ideas into public or semi-public forums for discussion.  This can be something like the techtorial recommended (WISE) or other sites that foster creative conversations and critiques.  It can bring debate to the classroom in a timely manner, which is essential for higher learning skills like the last on Blooms learning scale: evaluation.

Overall, the ability of technology, especially the internet, to foster higher learning skills is growing.  Educators, including myself, need to realize that the internet doesn't have to just be passive but it can play a crucial role in a student's ability to think critically.  Who knows.  If we show students this, they might look at the internet in a different light.  Students might began to see the internet as deeper than entertainment.  They might see it as a chance to learn and understand at higher levels.

Sell.