Theory Of Theory Of KnowledgeKnowledge

TOKTOKALS 2009-2010ALS 2009-2010

IB HexagonIB Hexagon

Nature of the SubjectNature of the Subject

The TOK challenges students and their The TOK challenges students and their teachers to reflect critically on diverse ways of teachers to reflect critically on diverse ways of knowing and areas of knowledge, and to knowing and areas of knowledge, and to consider the role which knowledge plays in a consider the role which knowledge plays in a global society. global society.

It encourages students to become aware of It encourages students to become aware of themselves as thinkers, to become aware of themselves as thinkers, to become aware of the complexity of knowledge, and to recognize the complexity of knowledge, and to recognize the need to act responsibly in an increasingly the need to act responsibly in an increasingly interconnected world.interconnected world.

Nature of the SubjectNature of the Subject The TOK programme is composed almost The TOK programme is composed almost

entirely of questions.entirely of questions.

The most central of these questions is The most central of these questions is ‘How ‘How do I, or how do we, know that a given do I, or how do we, know that a given assertion is true, or a given judgment is assertion is true, or a given judgment is well grounded?’well grounded?’

The questions have been grouped into four The questions have been grouped into four broad categories: Knowers and Knowing, broad categories: Knowers and Knowing, Ways of Knowing, Areas of Knowledge and Ways of Knowing, Areas of Knowledge and Linking Questions. Linking Questions.

The TOK DiagramThe TOK Diagram

Ways of Knowing and Areas Ways of Knowing and Areas of Knowledgeof Knowledge

Language and EmotionsLanguage and Emotions HistoryHistory

Methods of data collectionMethods of data collection Validity of sourcesValidity of sources Uniqueness as a body of knowledgeUniqueness as a body of knowledge Objectivity vs subjectivityObjectivity vs subjectivity

AimsAims

Develop a fascination with the richness of Develop a fascination with the richness of knowledge, and an understanding of the knowledge, and an understanding of the empowerment that follows from reflecting on empowerment that follows from reflecting on itit

Develop an awareness of how knowledge is Develop an awareness of how knowledge is constructed, critically examined, evaluated constructed, critically examined, evaluated and renewed, by communities and individualsand renewed, by communities and individuals

develop an understanding of why critically develop an understanding of why critically examining knowledge claims is importantexamining knowledge claims is important

AimsAims

develop a critical capacity to evaluate develop a critical capacity to evaluate beliefs and knowledge claimsbeliefs and knowledge claims

make interdisciplinary connectionsmake interdisciplinary connections consider that knowledge may place consider that knowledge may place

responsibilities on the knowerresponsibilities on the knower understand the strengths and understand the strengths and

limitations of individual and cultural limitations of individual and cultural perspectivesperspectives

Knowers and KnowingKnowers and Knowing

Knowers and KnowingKnowers and Knowing

Nature of KnowingNature of Knowing Knowers and Sources of KnowledgeKnowers and Sources of Knowledge Justification of Knowledge ClaimsJustification of Knowledge Claims

Ways of KnowingWays of Knowing

PerceptionPerception Nature of PerceptionNature of Perception Limitations of PerceptionLimitations of Perception

LanguageLanguage Nature of LanguageNature of Language Language and KnowledgeLanguage and Knowledge Functions of LanguageFunctions of Language Language and CultureLanguage and Culture

Ways of KnowingWays of Knowing

ReasonReason Nature of ReasonNature of Reason Reason and KnowledgeReason and Knowledge Strengths and Weaknesses of ReasonStrengths and Weaknesses of Reason

EmotionEmotion Nature of EmotionNature of Emotion Emotion and KnowledgeEmotion and Knowledge

Areas of KnowledgeAreas of Knowledge

MathematicsMathematics

Definition of MathematicsDefinition of Mathematics Mathematics and RealityMathematics and Reality Mathematics and Knowledge ClaimsMathematics and Knowledge Claims

Areas of KnowledgeAreas of Knowledge

Natural SciencesNatural Sciences Definition of the Natural SciencesDefinition of the Natural Sciences Natural Sciences: Methods of Gaining Natural Sciences: Methods of Gaining

KnowledgeKnowledge Natural Sciences and Knowledge Natural Sciences and Knowledge

ClaimsClaims Natural Sciences and ValuesNatural Sciences and Values Natural Sciences and TechnologyNatural Sciences and Technology

Areas of KnowledgeAreas of Knowledge

Human SciencesHuman Sciences Definition of the Human SciencesDefinition of the Human Sciences Human Sciences: Methods of Gaining Human Sciences: Methods of Gaining

KnowledgeKnowledge Human Sciences and Knowledge ClaimsHuman Sciences and Knowledge Claims Human Sciences and ValuesHuman Sciences and Values

Areas of KnowledgeAreas of Knowledge

HistoryHistory Definition of HistoryDefinition of History History: Methods for Gaining History: Methods for Gaining

KnowledgeKnowledge History and Knowledge ClaimsHistory and Knowledge Claims History and ValuesHistory and Values

Areas of KnowledgeAreas of Knowledge

The ArtsThe Arts Definition of the ArtsDefinition of the Arts The Arts: Methods of Gaining The Arts: Methods of Gaining

KnowledgeKnowledge The Arts and Knowledge ClaimsThe Arts and Knowledge Claims The Arts and ValuesThe Arts and Values The Arts and Knowledge PerspectivesThe Arts and Knowledge Perspectives

Areas of KnowledgeAreas of Knowledge

EthicsEthics Definition of EthicsDefinition of Ethics Ethics: Methods of Gaining Knowledge Ethics: Methods of Gaining Knowledge

and Knowledge Claimsand Knowledge Claims Ethics and ValuesEthics and Values Ethics and TechnologyEthics and Technology Ethics and Knowledge PerspectivesEthics and Knowledge Perspectives Ethics and PoliticsEthics and Politics

TOK PointsTOK Points

TOK PointsTOK Points Points awarded for:Points awarded for:

External Assessment: the Essay (1,200-External Assessment: the Essay (1,200-1,600 words) on a Prescribed Title (40 1,600 words) on a Prescribed Title (40 points) points)

Internal Assessment: the Presentation Internal Assessment: the Presentation (approximately 10 minutes per student) (20 (approximately 10 minutes per student) (20 points)points)

both are combined to give a total out of 60.both are combined to give a total out of 60.

Sample Assessment Sample Assessment TopicsTopics

A sample Essay Title: “We see and understand things not as

they are but as we are.” Discuss this claim in relation to at least two ways of knowing.

Sample Presentation Topics: Plastic surgery Plastic surgery Banning of videogames Banning of videogames  Media and societyMedia and society