Solo Taxonomy: Observing Learning Outcomes
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One way of understanding expected standards of performance is by drawing upon the Structured Observation of Learning Outcomes (SOLO) Taxonomy of Biggs & Collis (1982). The SOLO Taxonomy identifies five levels of performance: Pre-structural, Uni-structural, Multi-structural, Relational, and Transformational (called Extended Abstract in the original model). The levels of the SOLO Taxonomy can be understood as follows:
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Level 1 Pre-structural: Does not yet have an understanding of the specifics of the system.
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Level 2 Uni-structural: Demonstrates one key component but cannot connect it to anything else.
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Level 3 Multi-structural: Demonstrates many key components, but they remain disconnected from each other and are treated as seperate elements.
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Level 4 Relational: Demonstrates a capacity to integrate the various key components into a coherent whole, demonstrating an understanding of how the elements relate to each other.
Level 5 Transformational: Demonstrates a capacity to generalise and apply their integrated understanding to new contexts, situations, and novel problems, showing creativity, versatility, and adaptability.
The SOLO Taxonomy was originally designed for use within higher education institutions, as a framework to discriminate levels of student performance on academic tasks; particularly aiming at distinguishing between surface (Uni-structural and Multi-structural) and deep (Relational and Transformational) level learning.
Three Key Attributes (linked to Visayan Mythology)
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To apply the SOLO Taxonomy in a martial arts context, it is important to consider what attributes a student should demonstrate to show off their level of skill. Drawing on Visayan mythology, we distinguish the following three key attributes that need to be in a competent martial arts performance:
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Form, Kalibútan (Earth): Like the structural foundations provided by the land, rocks, and mountains, the capacity to perform technique (including trajectory and targeting) with exactness, efficiency, accuracy, and adherence to the art’s core principles.
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Flow, Dágat (Sea): Like the rise and fall of the waves of the ocean, the capacity to move smoothly, easily, seamlessly, and effortlessly within and between movements.
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Focus, Lángit (Sky): Like the power of the wind, or the intensity of lightning, the capacity to move purposefully, directing intention, power, and energy towards a specific task, target, or goal.
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When SOLO Taxonomy is applied to these three attributes, we get a model for standards of functional performance as outlined in the table below.
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