1. Avoid questions that have an easy one-dimensional answer.
2. Plan your questions in advance, utilise Bloom's Taxonomy to identify whether they are likely to prompt, “higher order thinking”.

Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy of Cognitive Processes

6. Creation / Synthesis: the ability to put facts together into a coherent whole, or, creatively achieve a new understanding by linking facts together

5. Evaluation: the ability to make judgements using criteria and standards

4. Analysis: ability to determine internal relationships

3. Application: the ability to apply what is learned to a new situation

2. Comprehension: the ability to interpret information in one’s own words

1. Knowledge: the ability to recall facts, opinions and concepts

From: Anderson et al (2001)

Example Question Constructs

1: Knowledge Exhibits previously learned material by recalling facts, terms, basic concepts and answers.

• What is . . . ?
• When did ____ happen?
• How would you explain . . . ?
• Why did . .. ?
• How would you describe . .. ?

2: Comprehension Demonstrating understanding of facts and ideas by organising, comparing, translating, interpreting, giving descriptions and stating main ideas.

• How would you compare . .. ? contrast.. ?
• Explain in your own words . . . ?
• What facts or ideas show . .. ?
• What evidence is there that…?

3: Application Solving problems by applying acquired knowledge, facts, techniques and rules in a different way.

• What examples can you find to . . . ?
• How would you show your understanding of. .. ?
• What approach would you use to ... ?
• What might have happened if. . . ?

4: Analysis Examining and breaking information into parts by identifying motives or causes; making inferences and finding evidence to support generalisations.

• What inference can you make from. . . ?
• How would you classify . . . ?
• How would you categorise . .. ?
• Can you identify the difference parts... ?

5: Evaluation Presenting and defending opinions by making judgements about information, validity of ideas or quality of work based on a set of criteria.

• How would you compare ……?
• Which do you think is better….?
• Evaluate contribution of ….. to …………….
• What was the value or importance of …….. in …………..?
• What would you have recommended if you had been ……?

6: Creation / Synthesis: Compiling information together in a different way by combining elements in a new pattern or proposing alternative solutions.

• What might have happened if… ?
• Can you propose an alternative interpretation to that of ……. . ?
• Is there a marmite solution [1] here?

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