What is the third level of Bloom's Taxonomy?

Bloom's Taxonomy is a framework used to classify educational learning objectives into levels of complexity and specificity. The levels are often depicted as a pyramid, with the lower levels representing simpler cognitive skills and the higher levels representing more advanced skills.

The third level of Bloom's Taxonomy is "Applying." At this stage, learners demonstrate their understanding of information by being able to use it in practical situations. This means they can transfer knowledge to new scenarios, solve problems, or apply concepts in real-world applications. For instance, after understanding the principles of a subject, a student might be asked to use those principles to analyze a case study or perform a task, showcasing their ability to connect theory to practice.

Other levels, such as evaluating and creating, follow applying in the hierarchy of cognitive skills. Evaluating involves making judgments based on criteria, while creating involves synthesizing information to produce new ideas or products. Understanding, on the other hand, is more foundational, as it focuses on comprehending the material rather than using it. Therefore, "Applying" as the third level signifies an essential progression in cognitive development where learners begin to take the knowledge they’ve acquired and actively use it in diverse contexts.