Bloom's Other Taxonomy - Character Education

While preparing for a number of upcoming digital storytelling sessions in our school district I stumbled upon Jason Ohler's take on Benjamin Bloom's other taxonomy.

Most educators are familiar with the traditional Bloom's Taxonomy, but what I didn't know, or had forgotten from my EDUC 101 days is that Mr. Bloom developed a taxonomy for the affective domain as well.

Let me explain.

Our school district has a "Growing with Character" system goal so when I happened upon Bloom's Taxonomy of Affective "Transformation" it caught my eye.

It goes like this:

Level 5: Internalizing Values

Character acts on value systems as an individual, rather than in response to group expectations; uses teamwork effectively, values others for their intrinsic merit rather than external qualities.

Level 4: Organization

Character prioritizes values, resolves conflicts, develops personalized value system; balances freedom and responsibility and accepts standards of moral behavior.

Level 3: Valuing

Character demonstrates belief in a value system that manifests itself in solving problems for others and in valuing cultural and individual differences.

Level 2: Responding to Phenomena

Character participates in solutions, works with a team, helps others.

Level 1: Receiving Phenomena

Character listens to others respectfully.

Source: Bloom, Krathwohl, & Masia, 1964.
Reproduced on page 111 of Jason Ohler's book.

I think Mr. Bloom's affective taxonomy can be of use to students and educators in our schools. I can begin by aspiring to level 5 myself. I'll be re-reading this taxonomy in days to come. I could use a plan like this.