Learning Domains

Abstract

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