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Rigor is a concept that both Common Core and the Next Generation Science Standards have brought into the spotlight. This brief video reviews the basics of Depth of Knowledge (DOK), which is one way test developers measure the rigor of test items.
Perhaps the most common confusion about DOK is that it always correlates to difficulty. A simple math example proves otherwise. Although the problem below is DOK 1 (applying a simple rule), it is challenging (high difficulty):
3,246,189,799 + 82,154,793 = ________________
Difficulty level depends on context – a question that is easy for a 9th grader may be difficult for 4th grader. Assigning DOK is more straightforward, as long as there is agreement on where you draw the lines — which cognitive tasks are DOK 2, which are DOK 3, etc. In other words, measuring the DOK of an assessment item is a DOK 1 task!
Our video introduced the basics on rigor and Depth of Knowledge. If you want to explore more, the links below provide ample food for thought.
- Why Does Depth of Knowledge Matter? is a detailed case study on using DOK in assessments modeled on the Smarter Balanced blueprints.
- See this New York City Department of Education video on DOK.
- This SchoolTube video features Karen Hess, the author of seminal research on DOK and rigor.
- How does Hess’s Matrix compare with Bloom’s taxonomy? See the thoughtful comments at the end of Edutopia’s article on DOK.
- The Office of Education in Stanislaus County, California has a nice collection of DOK resources, including cognitive rigor matrices.
As always, we welcome your thoughts via the Comments.
