Introduction to TOK

Which are key aims of TOK? Pg 1 Aims of the TOK course

• Reflect and value asking the central question: "How do we know that?"

• Be exposed to ambiguity, uncertainty and questions with many possible answers

• Be critically aware of their perspectives, beliefs and assumptions

• Study academic content in science, maths, economics and history

• Consider values, responsibility and ethical concerns in seeking and sharing of knowledge

Answer explanation

TOK explores how we know academic disciplines rather than just their specific content. It encourages students to reflect on the scope, perspectives, methods and tools, and ethics of the disciplines, asking open questions like, “What counts as knowledge?” or “Are some types of knowledge more useful/open to interpretation than others?”

TOK promotes a holistic inquiry into interdisciplinary connections eg how methods in science compare and contrast with history, human sciences, maths or arts.

TOK encourages you to critically analyze beliefs and assumptions, whereas standard academic subjects looks more at their facts and concepts.

TOK is about understanding the complexities of knowledge and how they shape our understanding of the world. This reflective and critical approach makes it integral to the IBDP.

What should you see TOK lessons as? Pg 1 Aims of the TOK course

• To be more aware of your own and others' points of view.

• To reflect critically on your beliefs and assumptions

• To become more open-minded, an IB Learner Profile attribute.

• To connect, compare and appreciate more their different academic subjects.

• To Take a break, because IB syllabus, sports, EE and CAS are very siong.

Answer explanation

TOK is not a break, although there is no WA or written exam.

The concepts and case studies covered are relevant to the IA and essay in Year 2.

You are expected to do critical thinking and reflection throughout the lesson.

Which are AOKs in the current TOK syllabus? AOKs Pg 2

• Natural Sciences

• Human Sciences

• Arts

• Sports

• History

Answer explanation

You may

a) explore knowledge in sports for your Exhibition IA

b) not explore knowledge in sports for your essay in DP2

Which statement is FALSE? Assessment DP1 Pg 2 and Assessment DP2 Pg 4

• The TOK IA requires 3 objects.

• The TOK IA and essay are both individual work.

• The TOK IA can use AOKs.

• The TOK IA can use optional themes.

• The TOK essay can use optional themes.

Answer explanation

Each essay question in DP2 will ask you to choose any or specified 2 AOKs from the 5.

Which of these IA prompts is/are CORRECT? Pg 2-3

• What is the relationship between knowledge and culture?

• What is the relationship between experience and knowledge?

• Can new knowledge change our beliefs or values?

• Why do values affect our production of knowledge?

• How are material tools important in the production or acquisition of knowledge?

Answer explanation

Prompt 11 is "Can new knowledge change ESTABLISHED values or beliefs?" The values and beliefs explored must be ESTABLISHED (ie entrenched for a long time)

Prompt 20 is "What is the relationship between personal experience and knowledge?"' (which is more narrow than experience)

Prompt 23 is "How important are material tools in the production or acquisition of knowledge?" (which requires a 2-sided evaluation of the extent of importance rather than just how are they important)

Prompt 34 is "In what ways do our values affect our acquisition of knowledge?" not "Why do values affect our production of knowledge?" "Our values" is not the same as just "values". "In what ways" is different from "why". Acquisition and production of knowledge mean different things in TOK. Compare IA prompt 34 with IA prompt 35.

For TOK IA, you are to choose 1 of the 35 prompts. You cannot change the wording in any way. You must address all aspects of the prompt based on ALL the EXACT words in the prompt.

Prompts greyed out in the handout are not recommended as students in the past have found them more difficult.

Which statements are TRUE? Assessment DP1 Pg 1, Assessment DP2 Pg 3

• The TOK Exhibition is max 950 words.

• The TOK Essay is max 1600 words.

• The TOK Exhibition is marked by IB.

• The TOK essay is marked by IB.

• The TOK Exhibition may be moderated by IB.

Answer explanation

Like other IAs, the TOK Exhibition is marked internally. IB then randomly selects some for moderation.

Like your EE, the TOK essay is marked externally.

Which statement is false? TOK / EE Bonus Points Grade Matrix at Pg 5

• TOK A, EE B --> 3 bonus points

• TOK B, EE C --> 2 bonus points

• TOK D, EE C --> 1 bonus point

• TOK E, EE D --> no diploma

• TOK C, EE C --> 1 bonus point.

Answer explanation

you won't get a diploma if you fail TOK

Look at the 6 essay titles on Pg 4. Which statements are TRUE?

• Some allow you to choose AOKs, others specify AOKs you must use.

• Each essay title requires you to use 2 AOKs.

• All the titles require a balanced, critical answer, given the command term "discuss"

• All the titles are phrased as a question before the command term is given. This is a general question that requires evaluation of multiple points of view.

Match these core TOK concepts Pg 8-9

• Culture

• Beliefs, customs, traditions, ethics of a community of knowers

• Values

• What is considered important or right, that should guide behaviour & choices.

• Responsibility

• Without personal feelings or perspectives.

• Perspective

• Ensuring that knowledge is used wisely for everyone's good.

• Objectivity

• VIewpoint from which an individual internalises, interprets and evaluates

Match these core TOK concepts

• Evidence

• Data offered to support another claim

• Justification

• Confidence in a claim beyond doubt.

• Certainty

• Meaning or significance concluded from data or observation

• Interpretation

• Description of a claim, to help people understand

• Explanation

• Explanation that seeks to convince a claim