Understanding Depth of Knowledge Dr Norman Webb 1997

Understanding Depth of Knowledge Dr. Norman Webb ~ 1997

What is Depth of Knowledge? • The degree of depth or complexity of knowledge reflected in the content standards and assessments • How deeply a student needs to understand the content for a given response/assessment

Webb’s DOK Levels • • Level 1 Recall and Reproduction Level 2 Skills & Concepts Level 3 Strategic Thinking Level 4 Extended Thinking

Depth of Knowledge Levels Level 1: Recall, recognition; skill, behavior or sequence of behaviors learned through practice and easily performed Level 2: Skill/Concept Engagement of some mental processing beyond recalling; the use of information or conceptual knowledge; requires making some decisions regarding how to approach a question or problem Level 3: Strategic Thinking More sophisticated reasoning and analysis; deep understanding; students are required to solve problems & draw conclusions Level 4: Extended Thinking Requires integration of knowledge from multiple sources and ability to represent knowledge in a variety of ways; usually requires work over an extended period of time

Goldilocks and the Three Bears • • Main character On the table she found. . . She decided to rest her feet and saw. . . She began to feel very tired and found. . . Soon, someone comes home. They find the bowls, the chairs and beds. Goldilocks screams and. . .

Goldilocks and the Three Bears • List the things that goldilocks did while she was in the Bears house. • What events in this story could not really have happened? • In your opinion, was Goldilocks good or bad? Answering which of these would be categorized as Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4?

Understanding Depth of Knowledge • DOK is about intended outcome, not difficulty. • DOK is a reference to the complexity of mental processing that must occur to answer a question, perform a task, or generate a product. Sorting Activity

Depth of Knowledge Levels Level 1: Recall, recognition; skill, behavior or sequence of behaviors learned through practice and easily performed Level 2: Skill/Concept Engagement of some mental processing beyond recalling; the use of information or conceptual knowledge; requires making some decisions regarding how to approach a question or problem Level 3: Strategic Thinking More sophisticated reasoning and analysis; deep understanding; students are required to solve problems & draw conclusions Level 4: Extended Thinking Requires integration of knowledge from multiple sources and ability to represent knowledge in a variety of ways; usually requires work over an extended period of time

DOK Level 1 Examples • • List animals that survive by eating other animals. Locate or recall facts explicitly found in text Describe physical features of places Determine the perimeter or area of rectangles given a drawing or labels • Identify elements of music using musical terminology • Identify basic rules for participating in simple games and activities

DOK Level 2 Examples • Compare desert and tropical environments • Identify and summarize the major events, problem, solution, conflicts in literary text • Explain the cause-effect of historical events • Predict a logical outcome based on information in a reading selection • Explain how good work habits are important at home, school, and on the job. • Classify plane and three dimensional figures • Describe various styles of music

DOK Level 3 Examples • Compare consumer actions and analyze how these actions impact the environment • Analyze or evaluate the effectiveness of literary elements (e. g. characterization, setting, point of view, conflict and resolution, plot structures) • Solve a multiple-step problem and provide support with a mathematical explanation that justifies the answer

DOK Level 3 Examples • Develop a scientific model for a complex idea • Propose and evaluate solutions for an economic problem • Explain, generalize or connect ideas, using supporting evidence from a text or sourc • Create a dance that represents the characteristics of a culture

DOK Level 4 Examples • Gather, analyze, organize, and interpret information from multiple (print and non print sources) to draft a reasoned report • Analyzing author’s craft (e. g. , style, bias, literary techniques, point of view) • Create an exercise plan applying the “FITT (Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type) Principle

DOK Level 4 Examples • Analyze and explain multiple perspectives or issues within or across time periods, events, or cultures • Specify a problem, identify solution paths, solve the problem, and report the results • Write and produce an original play

Same VERB – three DOK levels Elementary Mathematics • DOK ? Determine the formula for the area of a rectangle and explain reasoning through modeling • DOK ? Demonstrate and model multiplication (repeated addition, arrays) and division (repeated subtraction, partitioning) • DOK ? Model, describe, and draw – lines, rays, angles including right, obtuse, and acute angles.

Same VERB – three DOK Levels Science • DOK? – Describe a model that you might use to represent the relationships that exist within the rock cycle • DOK ? – Describe the differences between metamorphic and igneous rocks • DOK ? – Describe three characteristics of metamorphic rocks

Same VERB – three DOK Levels Social Studies • DOK ? examine the amendment process of the West Virginia Constitution, give examples of amendments and explain why they occurred. • DOK ? Use correct geographic terminology to explain direction, location, time zones, physical features of the earth. • DOK ? explain how nations benefit when they resolve conflicts peacefully.

Essay Choose one level to explain and give an example. This may be a lesson you have seen your Mentor do or a lesson you have been involved with in one of your classes. Write a three paragraph, one-page, double spaced, MLA formatted essay. 1) Begin by explaining the level you have chosen. Research! 2) Talk about how/where you see this level. Give an example. 3) Now give your opinion. Is this good/bad/necessary, or whatever you think of DOK in the context you have written. Submit your essay to Turnitin by Friday, March 13 th.