Unlocking Deep Learning with SOLO Taxonomy

How students progress from simple facts to complex understanding

The SOLO Taxonomy (Structure of Observed Learning Outcomes) is a model that describes the levels of increasing complexity in a student’s understanding. Unlike other taxonomies, SOLO focuses on how students organize and integrate knowledge rather than only recalling or applying facts.


The Four SOLO Levels Explained

1️⃣ Uni-structural

Students grasp one relevant aspect of a concept.
Example: Identifying a single fact or detail.

2️⃣ Multi-structural

Students understand several unrelated aspects but see them as separate pieces.
Example: Listing multiple facts without connecting them.

3️⃣ Relational

Students integrate different parts to form a coherent whole.
Example: Explaining how parts relate to each other in a system.

4️⃣ Extended Abstract

Students generalize their understanding to new domains or create new ideas based on what they learned.
Example: Applying a concept to solve a novel problem or generate a theory.

Why SOLO Matters

The SOLO Taxonomy helps teachers identify how deeply students understand content and guides them in designing activities that encourage higher-order thinking.