Greetings!
Welcome back and happy 2014!
This month, we'll take a look Webb's Depth of Knowledge, which is a construct for higher order thinking that is different from the traditional Bloom's Taxonomy. In case you don't know, Webb's DOK is used in the Common Core, and it provides a more in-depth way to look at learning. Although there are sample verbs included, the descriptors are more than the verbs--they address the complexity of the task or assessment.
If you are using Bloom's Taxonomy, it is still practical. However, given the complexity of the Common Core Standards and other high level standards, such as those in Texas and Virginia, it's important to consider Webb's model, so we'll focus here this month. If you haven't heard me speak, or just want another dose, check out my recent podcast with Eduleadership. In December, I did a wonderful Skype session with three schools in Maine. It was filled with interaction, and the teachers were very pleased. If you are interested in professional development, please feel free to call me at (609) 474-4677 or email me at bcgroup@gmail.com. Barbara |
Webb's Depth of Knowledge
If you take a look at the column to the right, you'll see a description of all four levels of the DOK. You may want to check out his expanded definitions and examples, linked in the resources box. In this section, let's look at his level four (highest level), which would require students to complete activities such as:
- Applying information to solve ill-defined problems in novel situations.
- Writing/research tasks that involve formulating and testing hypotheses over time.
- Perspective taking and collaboration with a group.
- Creating graphs, tables, and charts where students must reason through and organize information without teacher prompts.
- Writing tasks with a strong element of persuasion.
- Write a jingle to advertise a new product.
Notice that these examples are very complex and shift a tremendous amount of ownership to students. At this level, students are expected to work independently, without teacher guidance. Just like the Common Core and other State Standards!
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Principal's Perspective
What should you know about the Depth of Knowledge? If your teachers are successful with Bloom's Taxonomy, should you even care? I'd say yes...you should care and you should have at least a basic knowledge of the construct because it is embedded within the Common Core Standards and other high level state standards. I'd also offer one caution: there is a very popular circle diagram that coordinates Bloom's and the DOK. After contacting Norman Webb directly, he shared with me that the circle does not accurately reflect the DOK, rather, the diagram simplifies the dimensions into verbs and question starters. The complexity of the Depth of Knowledge can inform our practice and increase learning for our students, but only if they are used appropriately.
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DOK Levels
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Level 1 (Recall) includes the recall of information such as a fact, definition, term, or a simple procedure.
Level 2 (Skill/Concept) includes the engagement of some mental processing beyond a habitual response. A Level 2 assessment item requires students to make some decisions as to how to approach the problem or activity.
Level 3 (Strategic Thinking) requires reasoning, planning, using evidence, and a higher level of thinking than the previous two levels. In most instances, requiring students to explain their thinking is a Level 3.
Level 4 (Extended Thinking) requires complex reasoning, planning, developing, and thinking most likely over an extended period of time.
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