Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
A brief introduction of the core
What is TOK?
A course about how the knowledge is developed, tested, verified and
updated when necessary.
The students will investigate these processes in 5 areas of knowledge
(AOK), all of which are taken from the subjects they are familiar with:
• Mathematics
• The Natural Sciences
• The Human Sciences
• History
• The Arts
Course aims
• To encourage students to reflect on the central question: How do we
know that?
• To expose students to questions with multiple plausible answers.
• To engage students with multiple perspectives, foster
open-mindedness and develop intercultural understanding.
• To encourage students to make connections between academic
disciplines by exploring underlying concepts
• To help prepare students to encounter novel and complex situations.
TOK curriculum
1. The core theme – Knowledge and the Knower
Opportunity to consider how professional knowledge makers go about
their work, the students reflect on themselves as knowers and thinkers
2. Optional themes (at least 2 of them in the course)
o Knowledge and Technology
o Knowledge and Language
o Knowledge and Indigenous Societies
o Knowledge and Politics
o Knowledge and Religion
Focus on knowledge
Throughout the course the students will be considering questions
about the problems we face when we try to make knowledge and
questions about how we overcome those obstacles = knowledge
questions.
For example, when studying history in TOK, students are NOT
studying the events of history and their causes, instead they are
studying questions about HOW we know what happened and why?
Framework of KQs
• Knowledge questions (KQs) = contestable questions = different
answers could be offered but would have to be justified with evidence
and logical argument.
• Organized into a framework (KF) of 4 elements:
o Scope
o Perspective
o Methods and tools
o Ethics
Helps to unify the course and helps students make connections and
comparisons across the different AOKs.
Assessment in TOK
1. Internal assessment – Exhibition
1/3 of final TOK score; student currated exhibition of objects
illustrating issues related to a knowledge question. Exhibitions receive a
mark out of 10.
2. External assessment – Essay
2/3 of final TOK score; student essay in response to one prescribed
title. Externally assessed by IB examiners, up to 1600 words. Essays
receive a mark out of 10 – doubled to make a mark out of 20.
How can I add a bit of TOK in my lessons?
-in less than 5 minutes-
• Embed these TOK concepts in your day-to-day teaching and learning vocabulary:
evidence, certainty, truth, interpretation, power, justification, explanation,
objectivity, perspective, culture, values, and responsibility.
• Create a timeline (or different timelines) of the historical development of your discipline.
• Discuss how progress occurs in your discipline.
• Discuss breakthroughs and set-backs in the development of knowledge in your subject.
• Discuss how technology impacts knowledge in your subject discipline.
• Discuss how useful the knowledge of your subject is.
• Discuss how "true" the knowledge of your subject is.
• Discuss what "the point"/importance of your subject is.
• Ask students: "Is there an alternative explanation"?
• What is the biggest unanswered question in your subject area?
• What counts as good evidence in your area of knowledge?
Thank you for your attention.
Sources:
• Carolyn P.Henly, John Sprangue: Theory of Knowlegde, Teaching for
success. Hodder Education, 2020
• Theory of Knowledge Guide, First assessment 2022. International
Baccalaureate Organisation 2020
• https://www.tok2022.net/tok-across-the-curriculum.html
