St Andrew’s College PLG 2013 SOLO Taxonomy St Andrew’s College PLG 2013

Why SOLO? St Andrew’s Testimony (from SOLO at StAC Review, Kate Lefever 2012) they provide a good level of scaffolding for the students. reduced the need for differentiation in planning as students of all different abilities are catered for with the multi structured HOT maps and self-assessment rubrics. the benefit of having a taxonomy common to all classes as it provides continuity within classes both between and within levels of the curriculum. Students are able to use the same skill set from year to year and subject to subject. improved the speed, clarity and purpose of feedback. The teacher, student or peer is easily able to monitor and reflect on the understanding of the task and to gain/give effective feedback of what should happen next. Students are guided through the essay writing process as the maps provide structure. Students have a better understanding of the topics and the quality of written work by both juniors and seniors has improved.

Why SOLO? “it is easier to lay out our ideas and organise our thinking and it’s a more effective way to present information.” (student) “It sets the students up as learners for higher order thinking, rather than regurgitating knowledge”, (teacher) StAC students think that maps work well as they are visual, provide structure for their thinking and helps them write better answers.

Why SOLO? Tracking of students shows there has been measureable change in both student performance and the quality of the student work. Students who have used and been exposed to SOLO in their senior classes have learnt mechanisms for planning and preparing answers resulting in better writing, and more importantly higher grades. The following two graphs show the change in student grades (merits and excellences) in national exams over the past 5-6 years. Each year the percentage of students gaining both merit and excellence has increased (with the exception of Merits in 2008).

Quick Recap of SOLO

HOT Map in Action - Define http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZKhZmvJuZY

Where to next? Action Research Planning Template – What will your inquiry be? Who might you work with?