Structure of Observed Learning Outcome
The Structure of Observed Learning Outcome (SOLO) taxonomy is a model that describes levels of increasing complexity in student's understanding of subjects.[1] It was proposed by John B. Biggs and K. Collis[2] and has since gained popularity.
The model
The model consists of 5 levels of understanding [3][4]
- Pre-structural - The task is not attacked appropriately; the student hasn’t really understood the point and uses too simple a way of going about it.
- Uni-structural - The student's response only focuses on one relevant aspect.
- Multi-structural - The student's response focuses on several relevant aspects but they are treated independently and additively. Assessment of this level is primarily quantitative.
- Relational - The different aspects have become integrated into a coherent whole. This level is what is normally meant by an adequate understanding of some topic.
- Extended abstract - The previous integrated whole may be conceptualised at a higher level of abstraction and generalised to a new topic or area.
See also
References
- ^ ATHERTON, J. S. (2005) Learning and Teaching: SOLO taxonomy. [On-line] UK: Available: [1] Accessed: 7 June 2007
- ^ Biggs, J. B. and Collis, K. (1982) Evaluating the Quality of Learning: the SOLO taxonomy. New York, Academic Press
- ^ TEDI. Biggs’ structure of the observed learning outcome (SOLO) taxaonomy. [2]
- ^ Biggs, J. B. (1999). Teaching for quality learning at university. Open University Press