SOLO

Taxonomy
Edu-511
Curriculum
Development
 What is it?

SOLO(Structure of Observed
Learning Outcomes) is a model of
learning that helps to develop a
common understanding &
language of learning that helps
teachers (and students)
understand the learning process.
5 typical ways to answer a question

Unistructural
I have one idea
about this
subject
Prestructural Multistuctrural
I’m not sure I have several
about this ideas about this
subject subject

Extended abstract Relational

I can look at these I can link myideas
ideas in a new and together to see
different way. the big picture…
 Making
it visible
“SOLO Taxonomy provides a
simple and robust way of
describing how learning
outcomes grow in complexity
from surface to deep
understanding”

Biggs & Collis 1982

 With SOLO we can…
• thoughtfully design learning intentions and
learning experiences
• identify and use effective successcriteria
• provide feedback and feed forward on
learning outcomes
• reflect meaningfully on what todo next
 The language of learning
SOLO level Verbs
Unistructural define, identify, name. draw, find, label,match,
follow a simple procedure
Multistuctural describe, list, outline, complete, continue,
combine
Relational sequence, classify, compare & contrast,explain
(cause & effect), analyse, form an analogy,
organise, distinguish, question, relate, apply
Extende generalise, predict, evaluate, reflect,
d hypothesise, theorise, create, prove, justify,
abstract argue, compose, prioritise, design,construct,
perform
Isn’t this a bit like Bloom’s
Taxonomy?
• SOLOis based upon a theory about teaching
and learning rather than a theory about
knowledge, (Hattie and Brown, 2004)
• Bloom’s is ‘good’ for teachers:planning,
questioning & checkinglearning
• But not great for students:
I’ve done applying sir, can I move on to
analysis now?
• Progress is not implicit with Bloom’s
 SOLO is better because:
• It’s a diagnostic tool – provides useful
feedback and makes next steps clear
• It’s a useful assessment tool – clear links with
rubrics
• It can help plan objectives & success criteria
which focus on progress
• It describes the learningoutcome
Connecting your learning

Deep &
Language of
surface
learning
learning

Multi
Relational Outcomes
structural

Progress feedback

Extended
Understanding assessment
abstract

success
Knowledge
criteria
 REVIEW
Design an activity which could introduce SOLO
to your students

How could you use SOLO?

What do youknow
about SOLO?