The usefulness of a taxonomy in (digital) assessment Taxonomies are a useful tool for developing effective tests and examinations. A taxonomy helps you to better organise and categorise test questions. Are you unfamiliar with this methodology? Read 4 reasons to use taxonomies in (digital) testing. What is a taxonomy? A taxonomy is a chosen, artificial classification of objects. Simply put, it is a way of classifying that you choose yourself. For example, if you choose to classify foods according to the Five Food Groups (proteins, grains, vegetables and fruit, etc.), your taxonomy will look different than if you choose to classify them according to nutritional value (carbohydrates, fats, energy, etc.). In education, we use a taxonomy to categorise learning activities and learning objectives. A taxonomy for tests focuses on the classification of test questions. The use of taxonomies in organising learning activities To better understand what a taxonomy can do for assessment, we will first take a closer look at how you can organise learning activities. What a number of taxonomies have in common is the organisation of simple, lower-order learning activities into complex, higher-order learning activities. Examples of lower-order learning activities are: recognise, remember and list; Examples of higher-order learning activities include:: apply, create, evaluate, interpret and plan. The impact of classification can be significant. For example, a test that measures thinking skills is different from a test with knowledge questions. Differences in classification can even lead to different types of tests. A knowledge test is well suited to lower-level learning activities, whereas a thesis assignment or practical exam is more appropriate for higher-order learning activities. Some examples of Lower order Higher order Traffic theory Identifying the meaning of traffic signs Explaining who has priority in different situations and why Transport and logistics Know which documents are required for export Making transport plans Woodworking List the possible applications of woodworking tools Hanging a shelf on the wall Administration Different VAT rates apply Calculate VAT on various goods and services The usefulness of categorisation in assessment The use of taxonomy contributes to the quality of assessment in various ways: 1. The use of a taxonomy guides learning A candidate can prepare better for the test if they know how much of it involves knowledge, understanding, application and analysis. You prepare differently when you have to recognise things (memorise) than when you have to be able to apply or explain models (practise, explain in your own words). 2. The validity of the test increases In addition to classifying learning objectives, a taxonomy also guides test developers in determining the content of the test. This allows test developers to know whether they should include knowledge questions or comprehension or application questions. A taxonomy makes it easy to check whether the tests and test questions are appropriate for the intended level of the learning objectives. This allows the test to better measure what it is intended to measure. You could even say that the validity of the test increases through the use of a taxonomy. 3. The equivalence of tests is increasing If you use a taxonomy to indicate the intended level of a test, you can check whether all tests meet that level. Suppose you have a standard that every test must contain between 30% and 40% application questions. If you use the test questions classifies, you can immediately see whether this is indeed the case. This can be very important, because application questions, for example, often take much more time than knowledge questions and are sometimes more difficult. 4. Support for the test is growing It is easy to say that a test is far too easy or too difficult. However, with a taxonomy, you can demonstrate that the level of the test has been carefully considered. Of course, it is also better for support if you develop equivalent, valid tests. Conclusion Even though the use of a taxonomy sometimes leads to debate, it is precisely then that a taxonomy can help to make the right choices. Taxonomies lead to well-founded, high-quality proper assessment. This blog gave you four reasons to use taxonomies. Do you have any questions about the use of taxonomies? Please contact us, our (testing expert) consultants We would be happy to tell you more.
