Webb's Depth of Knowledge is the degree of depth or complexity of knowledge that standards and assessments require. This criterion is met if the assessment is as demanding cognitively as the expectations standards are set for students.
DOK is NOT.....
- about Verbs - Verbs are not always used appropriately.
- about "difficulty" - It is not about the student or level of difficulty for the student - it requires looking at the assessment item not student work in order to determine the level. DOK is about the item/standard - not the student.
DOK is....
- about what FOLLOWS the verb. What comes after the verb is more important than the verb itself.
- about the complexity of mental processing that must occur to answer a question.
Remember DOK...
- is descriptive, it is NOT a taxonomy
- focuses on how deeply the student has to know the content in order to respond.
- is NOT the same as difficulty.
Check out the resources below:
DOK Chart: Download DOK_Chart
DOK Handout: Download DOK
DOK presentation by Southern Nevada Professional Development Program: Download DOK_ALL_LEVELS_Presentation
