Matrix

homepage | O/A Matrix | Strategy | Model

Below is a matrix that expands Merrill's Performance-Content Matrix even further. There are six content areas and six levels from Bloom's taxonomy. A list of "essential parts-action verbs" common to each level is provided below.

• Knowledge - To write, define, repeat, name, or list.
• Comprehension - To restate, discuss, describe, explain, review, translate, or locate.
• Application - To operate, illustrate, use, employ, or sketch.
• Analysis - To differentiate between, appraise, calculate, test, compare contrast, solve, or criticize
• Synthesis - To compose, propose, plan, design, manage, collect, construct, organize, or prepare
• Evaluation - To evaluate, rate, select, estimate, or measure

Goal: Write an objective and an assessment for the objective.

Process:

1. Select a verb associated with a Bloom's level above.
2. Select a content area.
3. Write an objective on a topic of your choice
   1. Using the verb selected
   2. On a topic that is consistent with the content area.
   3. Using an objective format (cognitive, behavioral, psychomotor, affective)
4. Select an assessment method/tool (reference Chapter 11 if necessary)
5. Write or describe the assessment
6. Repeat steps 1 - 5 for 9 times such that each content area and level combination has been addressed twice.

Example 1
Content area: Concept
Bloom's level: Evaluation
Verb: Rate
Topic: Ice Skating
Objective: At the end of the semester the learner will be able to rate how well they can glide across the ice.
Assessment type: Multiple Choice
Assessment: After learning how to glide across the ice, rate your success. Select one of the following: excellent, good, fair or poor

Example 2
Content area: Attitude
Bloom's level: Comprehension
Verb: Describe
Topic: Drivers Ed
Objective: The learner will be able to describe how to parallel park.
Assessment type: Short Answer
Assessment: After watching the movie "Behind the Wheel 101" describe the steps to parallel park a car.

Example 3
Content area: Principles/Rules
Bloom's level: Analysis
Verb: Test
Topic: Chemistry
Objective: The learner will be able to test what happens when you add baking soda and vinegar together.
Assessment type: True or False
Assessment: True or False: Did the mixture of baking soda and vinegar explode?

Example 4
Content area: Fact
Bloom's level: Knowledge
Verb: To List
Topic: Presidents
Objective: The learner will be able to list five Presidents of the United States.
Assessment type: Short Answer
Assessment: Given a history book, list 5 Presidents of the United States.

Example 5
Content area: Interpersonal Skills
Bloom's level: Synthesis
Verb: To Prepare
Topic: Dinner party for six people
Objective: The learner will be able to prepare a dinner party for six people to increase their social skills.
Assessment type: Essay
Assessment: After the dinner party write an essay explaining your success at preparing to host an event for six people. Include the level of difficulty for preparing for the dinner, greeting guests as they arrive and leading discussions during dinner.

Example 6
Content area: Procedure
Bloom's level: Application
Verb: Illustrate
Topic: Kitchen Table
Objective: The learner will be able to illustrate how to put a kitchen table together.
Assessment type: Essay
Assessment:  After watching an instructor put together a kitchen table, illustrate the steps to be used as the instruction guide.

Example 7
Content area: Interpersonal Skills
Bloom's level: Evaluate
Verb: To Evaluate
Topic: Teacher Evaluation
Objective: At the end of the semester, the learner will be able to evaluate the success of a teacher's effectiveness of presenting the materials to the class.
Assessment type: Multiple Choice
Assessment: For each question choose excellent, good, fair or poor to evaluate the teachers success.

Example 8
Content area: Fact
Bloom's level: Analysis
Verb: Calculate
Topic: Math
Objective: The learner will be able to calculate 1+1.
Assessment type: Multiple Choice
Assessment: Calculate 1+1 and choose the correct answer out of the 5 choices.

Example 9
Content area: Procedure
Bloom's level: Comprehension
Verb: Review
Topic: Wash Clothes
Objective: The learner will be able to review the steps to washing clothes in a washer machine with a teacher.
Assessment type: Short Answer
Assessment: Review the steps by listing the steps to washing clothes in a washer machine.

Example 10
Content area: Concept
Bloom's level: Knowledge
Verb: Name
Topic: Automobiles
Objective: The learner will be able to name three types of automobiles.
Assessment type: Short Answer
Assessment: Given an issue of Car and Driver Magazine, name three types of automobiles.