Webb's DOK

Term from Secondary Education industry explained for recruiters

Webb's Depth of Knowledge (DOK) is a widely used method in education that helps teachers plan lessons and assess student learning. Created by Norman Webb, it's like a measuring tool that shows how deeply students understand a subject, ranging from basic recall to complex thinking. Think of it as a ladder with four levels - from simply remembering facts at the bottom to creative problem-solving at the top. Teachers and schools use DOK to make sure they're not just teaching surface-level information, but helping students develop deeper understanding. It's similar to Bloom's Taxonomy, another tool teachers use to measure learning, but DOK focuses more on how deeply students need to understand material to complete tasks.

Examples in Resumes

Developed lesson plans incorporating Webb's DOK levels to enhance student critical thinking

Used DOK framework to create varied assessment questions across all four levels

Led professional development sessions on implementing Webb's Depth of Knowledge in classroom instruction

Aligned curriculum assessments with Webb's DOK to ensure comprehensive learning evaluation

Typical job title: "Teachers"

Also try searching for:

Curriculum Developer Instructional Coach Education Specialist Assessment Coordinator Curriculum Specialist Instructional Designer Academic Coach

Example Interview Questions

Curriculum Leader Level Questions

Q: How would you lead a department in implementing Webb's DOK across different subject areas?

Expected Answer: A strong answer should discuss creating implementation plans, providing teacher training, developing assessment examples for each level, and methods for monitoring and supporting teachers' use of DOK in their classrooms.

Q: How do you align Webb's DOK with state standards and assessment requirements?

Expected Answer: The candidate should explain how to analyze standards, match them with appropriate DOK levels, and ensure assessments reflect the right depth of knowledge while meeting state requirements.

Experienced Teacher Level Questions

Q: Give examples of how you've used different DOK levels in your lesson planning.

Expected Answer: Should provide specific examples of activities at different DOK levels, such as level 1 vocabulary matching, level 2 classifications, level 3 investigations, and level 4 real-world applications.

Q: How do you ensure your assessments include questions from various DOK levels?

Expected Answer: Should explain their process for creating balanced assessments that include recall questions, skill/concept questions, strategic thinking tasks, and extended thinking challenges.

New Teacher Level Questions

Q: Can you explain the four levels of Webb's DOK?

Expected Answer: Should be able to describe Level 1 (recall), Level 2 (skills/concepts), Level 3 (strategic thinking), and Level 4 (extended thinking) in simple terms with basic examples.

Q: How do you determine which DOK level to use for different learning activities?

Expected Answer: Should discuss matching DOK levels to learning objectives, student readiness, and curriculum requirements, showing basic understanding of progression from simple to complex tasks.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic understanding of DOK levels
  • Creating simple assessments using DOK
  • Implementing pre-made DOK-aligned lessons
  • Basic lesson modification using DOK framework

Mid (3-5 years)

  • Developing original DOK-aligned lessons
  • Creating balanced assessments across DOK levels
  • Modifying curriculum using DOK framework
  • Mentoring others in basic DOK implementation

Senior (5+ years)

  • Leading DOK professional development
  • Curriculum design using DOK framework
  • Program evaluation using DOK metrics
  • District-wide DOK implementation strategies

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Unable to explain the different DOK levels
  • Confusion between DOK and Bloom's Taxonomy
  • No experience in creating assessments
  • Lack of understanding about deeper learning concepts