The document discusses the Structure of the Observed Learning Outcomes (SOLO) taxonomy, which categorizes learning outcomes into five levels of complexity, from prestructural to abstract. It emphasizes the progression from surface knowledge to deep understanding and illustrates how to classify knowledge in educational contexts. It also mentions the application of SOLO taxonomy in enhancing student thinking and learning.

2. Level: Prestructual
NO IDEA
Level: Unistructual
ONE IDEA
Level: Multistructual
SEVERAL IDEAS
Level: Relational
‘THE BIG PICTURE’
Level: Abstract
EXTENDED (NEW) IDEAS
- S.O.L.O. Taxonomy -

3. - acronym –
“A word formed from the first letters
of other words.”
- The Science of Classification –
from the Greek: ‘taxis’ = “arrangement” &
‘nomos’ = “law; order; manage”
Outcomes
Learning
Structure of the
Observed
“SOLO Taxonomy provides a simple and robust way
of describing how learning outcomes grow
in complexity from SURFACE to DEEP understanding.”
Biggs & Collis 1982
A classification of
settlements according
to their size.

4. - A Model of Learning -
No idea
(prestructual level)
One idea
(unistructural l level)
Several ideas
(multistructual level)
(getting to the) BIG PICTURE
(Relational level)
Extended (new) ideas
([Extended] Abstract level)
Deep Knowledge
(Understanding: Big Picture)
Surface Knowledge
(Understanding: one & several ideas)
Conceptual Knowledge
(Understanding: extended (new) ideas)
Sorts out
‘a Learning Outcome’
into one of three (3) levels of
KNOWLEDGE:
Your UNDERSTANDING
of ‘a Learning Outcome’
may be pinpointed at any of five (5)
levels of complexity:

6. No idea
A painting?
Boxes on Road?Riverbed?Artwork?Window?Spotted neck?Giraffe?A giraffe passing by a window!
A curtain design for a child’s room?

8. No idea

10. No idea

11. Class Teaching: Using SOLO Taxonomy to Develop Student Thinking & Learning
SOLO Taxonomy: Essential Resources
SOLO Taxonomy: Pam Hook: Hooked