Questioning with Depth

An Understanding of Webbs Depth of Knowledge

Why Depth of Knowledge?

What is an open-ended question?

Open-ended questions are questions that require an extended response. Really important on the new HSAP, the SAT, and the EOCs in the future. We need to start thinking about this now!

Verbs are not always used appropriately...

Words like explain or analyze have to be considered in context.

How would you explain where you live? does not raise the DOK. You are doing nothing more than recalling and reciting.

DOK is about what follows the verb...

What comes after the verb is more important than the verb itself.
How would you analyze this sentence to decide if the commas have been used correctly? does not meet the criteria for high cognitive processing(higher level thinking).
If you have been taught the rule for using commas you are merely using the rule.

Same VerbThree Different DOK Levels

DOK 1- Describe three characteristics of a Greek god. (Requires simple recall) DOK 2- Describe the difference between the Greek gods and the Titans. (Requires cognitive processing to determine the differences in the types of gods) DOK 3- How would you describe a model that you might use to represent the differences that exist between the Titans and the Greek gods? (Requires deep understanding of the attributes of the Titans and Greek gods and a determination of how best to represent it)

Webbs Four Levels of Cognitive Complexity

Level 1: Recall and Reproduction Level 2: Skills & Concepts Level 3: Strategic Thinking Level 4: Extended Thinking

DOK Level 1: Recall and Reproduction

Requires recall of information, such

Answering a Level 1 item can involve

following a simple, well-known procedure or formula

as a fact, definition, term, or performance of a simple process or procedure

Recall and Reproduction DOK Level 1

Examples:
Which gods that survive by eating other gods. (List) Where are facts located in the in text? (Locate) What are the attributes of each Greek god and

Titan? (Determine) What are some attributes of Titans and Greek Gods using terminology from the Heros Journey? (Identify) What are basic steps for participating in the Heros quest (Identify)

Skills/Concepts: DOK Level 2

Includes the thinking beyond recalling or reproducing a response Items require you to make some decisions as to how to approach the question or problem

Actions imply more than one mental step

Skills/Concepts: DOK 2 Examples

What was the world like during the rule of Uranus and Cronos? Compare What were the major events, problems, solutions, conflicts in the
text? Identify and summarize What is a logical outcome based on information in the text? Predict How are the contributions of the gods important at home, school, and on the job? Explain What are various characteristics of a Hero? Describe

Strategic Thinking: Level 3

Requires deep understanding shown through planning, using evidence, and more demanding thinking An question that has more than one possible answer and requires you to justify the response would most likely be a Level 3

DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking Examples:

How are the actions of Uranus, Cronos and Zeus similar and different? How do these actions impact the world? (Compare and analyze)
How would you explain the rise to power of your own god/goddess and provide support with an explanation from the text that justifies the answer? (Solve a multiple-step problem/Provide support)

DOK Level 3 Examples

What picture explains the cycle of rise to power of

the Greek gods and Titans? Develop What are some solutions to end for the War of the Titans? Propose and evaluate How would you explain to an absent classmate the establishment of the Greek gods, using supporting evidence from a text or source? Explain, generalize or connect

Extended Thinking: Level 4

Requires high level of thinking and is very complex You are expected to: make connections, relate ideas within this and other classes, select or devise one approach among many alternatives on how the situation can be solved Due to the complexity of thought, DOK 4 often requires an extended period of time

Extended Thinking: DOK 4 Examples

How did the Greek gods rise to power?
Use information from multiple (print and non print) sources to draft a report. Gather, analyze, organize, and interpret

What if you were Uranus or Cronos, and your kids threatened to

overthrow you? Analyze and cite the text to explain your answer. Analyzing

What elements of the Heros Journey explain your own Greek

gods rise to power? Cite your reasoning from the text. Create and apply

Just because a question is long and

involves multiple steps, does not mean it is a higher level question!