Framework Publication Date Description Key Components
Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives (Cognitive Domain) 1956 Framework to classify educational goals by cognitive complexity, from basic knowledge recall to higher-order evaluation. Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis, Evaluation
Gagné’s Eight Types of Learning and Five Types of Learned Capability 1965 Identifies distinct types of learning outcomes and the conditions required for each, highlighting instructional sequencing. Verbal Information, Intellectual Skills, Cognitive Strategies, Motor Skills, Attitudes
Ausubel and Robinson’s Six Hierarchically-Ordered Categories 1969 Emphasizes meaningful learning through the organization of content, progressing from concrete to abstract categories. Reception Learning, Rote Learning, Discovery Learning, Conceptual Understanding, Problem Solving, Transfer of Knowledge
William’s Model for Developing Thinking and Feeling Processes 1970 Encourages creativity by integrating cognitive and affective dimensions of learning, fostering divergent thinking and emotional engagement. Fluency, Flexibility, Originality, Elaboration, Affective Dimensions
Hannah and Michaeli’s Comprehensive Framework for Instructional Objectives 1977 Expands instructional objectives to cover broader learning domains, addressing affective and psychomotor skills. Cognitive Objectives, Affective Objectives, Psychomotor Objectives
Stahl and Murphy’s Domain of Cognition Taxonomic System 1981 Provides a taxonomy for analyzing cognitive tasks based on their complexity and mental processes involved. Memory, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis, Evaluation
Biggs and Collis’ SOLO Taxonomy 1982 A model for evaluating the structure of learning outcomes, describing levels of increasing complexity in understanding. Prestructural, Unistructural, Multistructural, Relational, Extended Abstract
Quellmalz’s Framework of Thinking Skills 1987 Focuses on the development of thinking skills essential for problem-solving and decision-making. Basic Thinking Skills, Complex Thinking Skills, Metacognitive Skills
Presseisen’s Models of Essential, Complex, and Metacognitive Thinking Skills 1990s Categorizes thinking skills into essential (basic), complex (critical and creative), and metacognitive (self-reflective) skills. Essential Thinking, Complex Thinking, Metacognitive Thinking
Merrill’s Instructional Transaction Theory 1992 Describes instructional strategies for automating and sequencing learning processes, with a focus on tasks and operations. Task Analysis, Knowledge Objects, Instructional Strategies
Anderson and Krathwohl’s Revision of Bloom’s Taxonomy 2001 Updates Bloom’s taxonomy to include a knowledge dimension and a revised cognitive dimension, emphasizing processes. Remember, Understand, Apply, Analyze, Evaluate, Create
Gouge and Yates’ Arts Project Taxonomies of Arts Reasoning and Thinking Skills 2002 Developed for arts education, focusing on reasoning and thinking within artistic contexts. Reasoning in Art, Creative Processes, Critical Evaluation

Observations:

  1. Hierarchy: Many frameworks, like Bloom’s and SOLO, focus on hierarchical progressions of learning or understanding.
  2. Specificity: Some frameworks, such as Gagné’s and Merrill’s, are more procedural and focus on instructional sequencing and task-specific outcomes.
  3. Domains Covered: Frameworks often address cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains, though emphasis varies.
  4. Updates and Revisions: Anderson and Krathwohl’s revision reflects modern learning theories and needs.

This table can help educators and instructional designers choose appropriate frameworks based on learning objectives, context, and domain focus.