Learning Domains
Learning Domains
Learning Domains
Cognitive Domain
The cognitive domain is knowledge or mind based. It has three practical instructional
levels including fact, understanding, and application. The fact level is a single concept
and uses verbs like define, identify, and list. The understanding level puts two or more
concepts together. Typical verbs for this level include describe, compare andcontrast.
The application level puts two or more concepts together to form something new. Typical
verbs at this level include explain, apply, and analyze. Delivery in this domain is
typically a lecture/presentation and the evaluation will be subjective and objective test
items.
Psychomotor Domain
The psychomotor domain is skill based. The student will produce a product. The three
practical instructional levels include imitation, practice, and habit. The psychomotor
domain is steeped in a demonstration delivery and the first level, imitation, will simply be
a return of the demonstration under the watchful eye of the instructor. The practice level
will be a proficiency building experience that may be conducted by the student without
direct oversight of the instructor. The habit level is reached when the student can perform
the skill in twice the time that it takes the instructor or an expert to perform. The delivery
is demonstration and proficiency building in nature. The evaluation will be a performance
or skill test. The content that is needed to be known to do the skill is cognitive and should
be treated accordingly.
If you are unable to choose between cognitive and psychomotor, ask yourself the
following:
Is speed a factor?
Is equipment other than four walls of a classroom and an overhead projector
necessary?
Are you going to grade the activity in some way other than a paper/pencil test?
If you answer "yes" to any one of these three questions, the learning domain should be
psychomotor.
If you are still undecided and this is an occupational area, select psychomotor because
that is the predominant occupational program domain.
Affective Domain
The affective domain is based upon behavioral aspects and may be labeled as beliefs. The
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three levels in the domain are awareness, distinction, and integration. The verbs for this
domain are generally limited to words like display, exhibit, and accept and these apply at
all levels. The first two levels are really cognitive; integration is behavioral and requires
the learner to evaluate and synthesize. The content in this domain will usually involve
discussions. The testing in the first two levels will be cognitive, whereas the third level
will require an affective checklist.