Developing a classification tool based on Bloom's taxonomy to assess the cognitive level of short essay questions

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Education and Students Affairs, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.163, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands. maggyvanhoeij@hotmail.com

The cognitive level of short essay questions taken from assessments of two veterinary courses at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Utrecht University (FVMU) was evaluated using a simplified classification tool based on the taxonomy of Bloom. Classifications were made by teaching staff members (subject matter experts, or SME) and by faculty members not involved in teaching the course (non-subject matter experts, or NSME). To compare the cognitive level assigned by raters in the SME group to that assigned by the NSME group, each test item was assigned a modal taxonomic level. The results indicate that the agreement level between a pair of raters within a group (SME or NSME) differed (34% to 77% and linear weighted Cohen's kappa coefficient 0.12 to 0.60). The agreement level on the modal taxonomic level between the SME and NSME groups for the two courses was 65% and 73%, with a linear weighted Cohen's kappa coefficient of 0.43 and 0.63 respectively. The requirement of expertise of a subject for classification is discussed. The introduction of the classification tool had a positive effect on teaching staff members' awareness of the importance of the cognitive level of assessments. Improvements to the classification tool to obtain higher agreement levels are proposed.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				H. Koskinen Evaluation of the Level of Difficulty of Patient Cases for Veterinary Problem-Solving Examination: A Preliminary Comparison of Three Taxonomies of Learning J Vet Med Educ, January 1, 2007; 34(2): 106 - 111. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

AAVMC APPRECIATES THE SUPPORT OF OUR TWO PATRONS, HILL'S PET NUTRITION AND BAYER ANIMAL HEALTH, WHO IN COMBINATION ARE FULLY SUPPORTING THIS SITE.