In which step of the Affective Domain do learners start to express their feelings and opinions?

In the Affective Domain of learning, learners progress through various levels that describe how they engage with emotional experiences, values, and attitudes. The step where learners start to express their feelings and opinions is found in the responding phase.

At this stage, learners do not just passively absorb information; rather, they begin to react to the material and articulate their feelings about it. This can include showing enthusiasm, participating in discussions, or providing feedback about their experiences. The responding level is critical because it indicates that learners are starting to internalize the information and form personal connections with it, leading to deeper engagement and commitment to their learning.

The other phases, such as receiving, involve the initial awareness and acknowledgment of stimuli without active engagement or evaluation of feelings, while valuing focuses on the importance or worth learners attribute to particular ideas, beliefs, or values. Characterization represents the highest level, where learners consistently behave in accordance with their values. Thus, the responding phase is precisely where the expression of feelings and opinions begins, facilitating a richer learning experience.