Taxonomy
What are the 3 domains of the GWO Taxonomy?
Knowledge, Skills, and Ability.
Context: Knowledge is understanding, Skills are performing, and Ability is using knowledge and skills responsibly and independently.
The participant can name the main components of a fall-arrest harness.” What domain and level?
Knowledge – Basic.
Context: They're naming information rather than explaining or applying it.
At Basic Knowledge, what would you expect a participant to do?
A. Evaluate risks and advantages
B. Describe or name parts of a topic
C. Supervise another worker
B — Describe or name parts of a topic.
Context: Basic Knowledge is essentially “I can tell a fact.” The participant can recognize, name, or describe something.
The instructor demonstrates a procedure and the participant can copy and repeat it. Which level is this?
Basic Skills.
Context: Basic Skills involve reproducing an action or procedure that has already been demonstrated.
A participant can act independently or under supervision in a familiar work situation. Which level is this?
Basic Ability.
Context: They can act appropriately, but aren't yet expected to manage complex situations.
What are the 3 levels used within the GWO Taxonomy?
Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced.
Context: They represent increasing complexity in what the participant is expected to understand, perform, or take responsibility for. Basic, Intermediate, Advanced.
The participant can perform a pre-use inspection of a fall-arrest harness.” What domain and level?
Skills – Intermediate.
Context: They're expected to actually perform a task, not simply repeat information or copy a demonstration.
A participant can explain how equipment is used and discuss it using professional terminology. Which level is this?
Intermediate Knowledge.
Context: They've moved beyond simply knowing facts and can explain how something works or is used.
A participant can perform a task, apply the appropriate safety procedure, and determine when the skill is relevant. Which level is this?
Intermediate Skills.
Context: They're not just copying anymore—they can perform and apply the skill appropriately.
A participant independently recognizes a developing risk and takes responsibility for an appropriate mitigating action. Which level is this?
Intermediate Ability.
Context: Intermediate Ability introduces independence, initiative, identifying risks, and responsibility for action.
What two things do we combine to determine where a learning objective sits within the GWO Taxonomy?
Domain and complexity level.
Context: Every objective combines what type of learning is expected with how complex that learning is.
The participant can identify risks and independently take responsibility for appropriate mitigating actions.” What domain and level?
Ability – Intermediate.
Context: Independence, recognizing risks, taking initiative, and accepting responsibility are key indicators of Intermediate Ability.
A participant considers risks, advantages, and disadvantages before deciding which approach to use. Which level is this?
Advanced Knowledge.
Context: Advanced Knowledge involves understanding the topic and using that understanding to make reflected assessments or decisions.
A participant experiments with different approaches, refines their technique, and evaluates their performance. Which level is this?
Advanced Skills.
Context: Advanced Skills go beyond performing the task. The participant can experiment, refine, select, and evaluate their performance.
A participant encounters a new situation, adapts their approach, considers coworkers' safety, and proposes an improvement to the safety procedure. Which level is this?
Advanced Ability.
Context: They're able to adapt in new situations, take broader responsibility for safety, and potentially improve procedures