Let's Make a DOK 2!

From Chapter 9: "Let's Make a DOK!" featured in Deconstructing Depth of Knowledge: A Method and Model for Deeper Teaching and Learning by Erik M. Francis

In 2016, I wrote a blog that compared the demand and expectations of Webb's DOK Levels to popular television shows. I called it "Let's Make a DOK!", a play on the title of the classic game show Let's Make a Deal! The name has a double meaning, since we can adapt the format of game shows into our classroom to develop and deliver DOK teaching and learning experiences that are not only educational but also energetic, enriching, and enjoyable.

The goal of a DOK 2 teaching and learning experience is for students to explain or express the answer. At this level of learning, the student is challenged to apply knowledge, concepts or skills or use information and basic reasoning to establish and explain with examples. Students must still answer correctly. However, what distinguishes a DOK 2 is that students must explain either orally or in writing to someone else how or why they attained a specific answer, outcome or result as if they were teaching it to someone else.

What distinguishes a DOK 2 teaching and learning experience is that it involves both comprehension and communication of ideas and information. Students are expected and evaluated for how clearly, comprehensibly and correctly they can communicate their knowledge and understanding.

When it comes to teaching for Depth of Knowledge, teachers typically teach at a DOK 2 because they show and share or summarize the ideas and information students must know and understand. With a DOK 2, the students become the teacher — or "star of the show" — by showing and sharing or summarizing, comprehending and communicating, specifying and explaining, giving examples and/or non-examples, or expressing their opinion or outlook.

That's what makes the expectations of a DOK 2 teaching and learning experience similar to do-it-yourself (DIY) television shows such as a cooking show, a home improvement show, or an instructional show that features a host who shares their knowledge and skills by teaching others. On these shows, the host establishes and explains with examples how they use their subject-specific knowledge and skills to accomplish a task.

Examples of DIY shows that feature a knowledgeable and skilled professional who teaches others how to do something are The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross or 30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray. These shows feature a professional with expertise in a specific area who applies their knowledge, concepts and skills to establish and explain with examples how to do something.

To understand the difference between a DOK 1 and DOK 2 expectation and experience, listen closely to how Bob Ross and Rachael Ray explain how they paint their painting and prepare their meal. They are teaching by explaining and expressing why they do how they do what they do. That's a DOK 2. Mute or turn down the volume and watch the video in silence. Now Bob Ross and Rachael Ray are demonstrating their learning at a DOK 1.

Another key difference between a DOK 1 and DOK 2 teaching and learning experience is who is the "star of the show". In a DOK 1 teaching and learning experience, the teacher is the "star of the show" like a game show host and the students are the "contestants". In a DOK 2 teaching and learning experience, the student is the "star of the show" and the teacher is the "director."

Another type of show that resembles a DOK 2 teaching and learning experience are television documentary series. These series feature episodes that explain a concept, idea or process. Think of the episodic shows featured on Animal Planet, Discovery, The History Channel, or National Geographic. These show and share stories or show and summarize facts and information in a conversational manner.

A documentary or docuseries that delves deep into a topic, justifies or critiques an argument, presents a position supported by evidence, or involves engaging in an in-depth investigation over an extended period would be a DOK 3 or DOK 4. However, documentaries and docuseries that report on an idea, incident, individual, or issue is a DOK 2 because it uses information and basic reasoning to show and summarize, specify and explain, or express an opinion or outlook.

Video Homework — Using their phone or computer, the students record themselves establishing and explaining with examples how they can understand and use what they are learning.

YouTube Channel — Students produce a YouTube channel with their classmates to show and share or summarize subject-specific concepts, ideas or procedures they are learning in their class.

Social Media Pages and Posts — Students operate a class Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Threads page on which they show and share or summarize in their own words what they are learning in class.

Snapchats and TikToks — Students are challenged to produce videos in the format and style of Snapchat and TikTok videos to specify and explain how they understand or can use the knowledge or skills they are learning in class.

Sharing and Summarizing — Students film themselves summarizing the stories they are reading and reviewing in class in their own words.

Researching and Reporting — Students research an idea, incident, individual, or issue and report what they have learned to the class.

Erik M. Francis, M.Ed., M.S., is an international author, educator, presenter, and professional development provider with over 25 years of experience in education. He is the owner of Maverik Education, providing professional development, guidance, and support on how to plan and provide teaching and learning experiences that are standards based, socially and emotionally supportive, and student responsive.

#DepthofKnowledge #DOK