----------------- HES POSTING ----------------- Hi All: I've found that students at all levels appreciate knowing more about what we mean when we use words like "analyze" or "apply." Which are terms we probably use a lot in economics classes, especially in history of thought classes. The lists below come from "Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Goals for the Cognitive Domain." A fancy name... If you arrange these categories (from knowledge - the simplist cognitive function as per the verbs that are listed under the heading, knowledge) as a steps heading up (as hopefully shows up on your screen), this gives students a very good visual of what you are asking them to do when you say "think about Smith in relation to Keynes" (whatever). It will help students prepare for writing papers if, when you hand out the paper topics, you spend 15 minutes in class asking students to figure out what categories of thinking the questions are asking for since their prior training in economics (standard micro/macro classes) rarely go beyond "apply." What we do tend to do is ask students to "apply" the same concepts using increasingly sophisticated math. But this would not be the task at hand in a history of thought class, so it is worth spending some time with students on the different sorts of "thinking" you will want them to do. Evaluate Synthesize Analyze Apply Comperhend Knowledge KNOWLEDGE: Knows facts Define Describe Identify Label List Match Name Outline Reproduce Select State COMPREHEND: Grasps the meaning of facts Convert Defend Distinguish Estimate Explain Extend Generalize Give Examples Infer Paraphrase Predict Rewrite Summarize APPLY: Can use a concept in a new situation Change Compute Demonstrate Discover Manipulate Modify Operate Predict Prepare Produce Relate Show Solve Use ANALYZE: Can relate component parts to their role in the whole Break down Diagram Differentiate Discriminate Distinguish Identify Illustrate Infer Outline Point Out Relate Select Separate Subdivde SYNTHESIZE: Can combine component parts to form a new whole Categorize Combine Compose Create Devise Design Generate Modify Organize Plan Rearrange Reconstruct Relate Reorganize Revise EVALUATE: Can develop criteria and use to assess alternatives Appraise Support Choose Compare Conclude Contrast Critique Defend Discriminate Interpret Pick apart Relate Attack Undermine Buttress Susan F. Feiner ------------ FOOTER TO HES POSTING ------------ For information, send the message "info HES" to [log in to unmask]