surface learning

New HookED Resource – SOLO Maps and rubrics

February 20, 2022

SOLO Maps and Rubrics for using academic language (academic verbs) are now available as a free download from the HookED Free Resources Page. Redesigned by the inimitable Danish educator Tobias Jacoby, the editable maps and rubrics feature the clean lines and practical functionality of Danish design. They are available for download in MS PowerPoint or […]

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Kahukura Cluster Conference

June 2, 2018

“Surface to Deep” on Friday was a remarkable day of teachers sharing their professional practice. Teachers from the Kahukura Community of Learning – Christchurch South Intermediate School, Sacred Heart School, Thorrington School, Addington Primary, Sommerfield School, West Spreydon and Cashmere Primary School – gathered together for a day focused on shifting from surface to deep […]

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SOLO Taxonomy at ESF in Hong Kong

May 28, 2018

Reflecting on the powerful examples of student learning using SOLO shared during my visit to Hong Kong last week Fractions explored through SOLO Hexagons thinking and student co-construction of SOLO rubrics – just fabulous 🙂       Great two days in conversation with thoughtful educators inquiring into the effectiveness of using an explicit model […]

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Master classes in Melbourne

February 22, 2018

Surface to deep learning with SOLO Taxonomy. “The SOLO Taxonomy (Biggs & Collis 1982) has provided a valuable vehicle to identify and support deep learning opportunities in many NPDL schools. It has shown the relationship between surface and deep learning and the importance of scaffolding learning for both.” I am excited to be returning to […]

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Swings and Roundabouts and SOLO Taxonomy

June 30, 2017

“Hook and Casse have nailed it!” Working with early childhood educators this week reminded me of the great review we got for SOLO Taxonomy in the Early Years -Making connections for belonging, being and becoming. The book was co-authored with that fabulous early years teacher Bridget Casse Using SOLO Taxonomy as a model, young learners […]

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SOLO Hand Signs

September 21, 2016

SOLO Taxonomy hand signs are a powerfully simple way to watch thinking in action. These spontaneous gestures of thought are a learning strategy that helps students and teachers make sense of learning. In using gesture to represent increasing levels of cognitive complexity – surface to deep to conceptual (transfer) outcomes – SOLO hand signs have […]

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Horses for courses

September 2, 2016

Embed from Getty Images Just as there are “different horses for different courses” so there are different learning strategies for different stages of the learning process A recent article by John Hattie and Gregory Donoghue (2016) uses meta-analyses, effect sizes and a more nuanced model of surface and deep understanding to look at learning strategies […]

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