Depth of Knowledge (DOK)
Depth of Knowledge (DOK)
The Depth of Knowledge (DOK) is a model that subdivides tasks in relation to the difficulty level of the thinking needed to accomplish the task. DOK was created by Norman Webb, and it is a vital tool for educators as it assists them to design assessments that examine the higher-order thinking skills and consequently, the students' deep engagement with the content.
What are the four levels of Depth of Knowledge?
DOK levels (Depth of Knowledge levels) have four categories: Level 1 (Recall and Reproduction)- it involves basic things like looking back to what you learned or doing simple procedures; Level 2 (Skills and Concepts)- applying skills or concepts in a specific context is a requirement here; Level 3 (Strategic Thinking)-it is about reasoning, planning, and using evidence to support the conclusion of the reasoning; Level 4 (Extended Thinking)- it requires complex reasoning, and the ability to integrate information from different sources. Donal skill level can be easily assessed by using the four levels of DOK: 1- recall and reproduction or basic tasks such as 2-reasons and conclusions, and 3-promoting strategies and findings to 4-exercising their skills through problem solving and critical thinking.
How can educators use DOK to improve assessments?
Incorporating DOK to the alignment of assessment with learning objectives could be done by proving that the questions are on different levels of cognitive effort. For example, a question from Level 1 can require students to give the definition of a term, whereas a question from Level 3 can demand from students to analyze a case study and make proposals that are based on the provided evidence. This method assists teachers to measure not simply the level of knowledge gained but also the paradigm of critical thinking skills.
What is the significance of DOK in curriculum design?
The role of DOK is very important in the process of curriculum design as it motivates educators to develop lessons that are aimed at the promotion of higher-order thinking skills. Teachers are enabled to create a more stimulating and challenging learning context by embedding activities that range from DOK Level 1 to DOK Level 4. Such as to say, a science unit that provides opportunities to conduct hands-on experiments (Level 2), perform data analysis (Level 3), and work on research projects (Level 4) can effectively help students develop their understanding.
Can you give an example of a DOK Level 4 task?
A major task at DOK Level 4 can be the case of students conducting a research project. In the project, they have to develop a hypothesis, collect information from various sources, interpret data, and finally, present a comprehensive report of their findings. This task becomes the student to worlds like investigation, the ability to think critically, and synthesis of information, all of which are typical of Level 4 thinking.