SOLO TAXONOMY

 The SOLO Taxonomy (Structure of Observed Learning Outcomes) is a framework developed by John Biggs and Kevin Collis in the 1980s to assess and describe the quality of student learning. It focuses on understanding the complexity of students’ responses and how they approach tasks. Unlike Bloom’s Taxonomy, which categorizes cognitive skills, SOLO Taxonomy categorizes the depth of understanding.

Levels of SOLO Taxonomy

1. Prestructural:

   • Description: The response is incomplete or lacks understanding. Students may provide irrelevant or incorrect information.
   • Example: A student provides a simple answer that shows no grasp of the concept or its context.

2. Unistructural:

   • Description: The response demonstrates understanding of only one aspect of the task or concept. It may show a basic grasp of a single point.
   • Example: A student identifies one fact or detail but does not connect it to a broader understanding.

3. Multistructural:

   • Description: The response covers several relevant aspects or details but does not integrate them into a coherent whole. The student can list multiple elements but does not show how they relate.
   • Example: A student lists various features of a concept but does not explain how they interconnect.

4. Relational:

   • Description: The response shows an understanding of how different aspects or details relate to one another. The student integrates and organizes information to form a coherent and logical structure.
   • Example: A student explains how different features of a concept are interrelated and how they contribute to an overall understanding.

5. Extended Abstract:

   • Description: The response demonstrates a high level of understanding, applying and extending knowledge to new contexts or situations. The student can generalize and transfer their understanding to novel scenarios.
   • Example: A student applies concepts to a new problem or scenario, generates new ideas, or proposes original solutions based on their deep understanding.

Benefits of Using SOLO Taxonomy

• Depth of Understanding: Helps assess not just what students know, but how well they understand and can apply that knowledge.
• Clear Progression: Provides a clear framework for students to develop their thinking from basic to complex levels.
• Feedback for Improvement: Offers specific criteria for feedback, helping students understand how to improve their responses and deepen their understanding.

Implementing SOLO Taxonomy

1. Design Assessment Tasks: Create tasks that encourage students to demonstrate different levels of understanding, from basic facts to complex reasoning.

2. Use Rubrics: Develop rubrics based on the SOLO Taxonomy levels to provide clear expectations and criteria for assessment.

3. Provide Feedback: Use SOLO Taxonomy to give targeted feedback, helping students recognize their current level of understanding and ways to progress to higher levels.

4. Encourage Self-Assessment: Teach students to use SOLO Taxonomy for self-assessment, helping them identify their own level of understanding and areas for improvement.

SOLO Taxonomy is a useful tool for educators to assess and enhance the depth and quality of student learning, guiding students from basic knowledge to complex and innovative thinking.