What is Theory of Knowledge?
Theory of Knowledge (TOK) plays a special role in the IB Diploma Programme by providing an opportunity for students to reflect on the nature of knowledge, and on how we know what we claim to know. It is one of the three required components of the DP Core.
How is TOK structured?
As a thoughtful and purposeful inquiry into different ways of knowing, and into different kinds of knowledge, TOK is composed almost entirely of questions. Through discussions of these questions, students gain greater awareness of their personal and ideological assumptions, as well as developing an appreciation of the diversity and richness of cultural perspectives.
Most central of these questions is "How do we know?", while other questions include:
What is the significance of TOK?
TOK aims to make students aware of the interpretative nature of knowledge, including personal ideological biases – whether these biases are retained, revised or rejected.
TOK offers students and their teachers the opportunity to:
TOK prompts students to:
Assessment of TOK
The TOK course is assessed through an oral presentation and a 1,600 word essay. The presentation assesses the ability of the student to apply TOK thinking to a real-life situation, while the essay takes a more conceptual starting point.
For more information, please contact the TOK Coordinator, Mr. Stoliker
Theory of Knowledge (TOK) plays a special role in the IB Diploma Programme by providing an opportunity for students to reflect on the nature of knowledge, and on how we know what we claim to know. It is one of the three required components of the DP Core.
How is TOK structured?
As a thoughtful and purposeful inquiry into different ways of knowing, and into different kinds of knowledge, TOK is composed almost entirely of questions. Through discussions of these questions, students gain greater awareness of their personal and ideological assumptions, as well as developing an appreciation of the diversity and richness of cultural perspectives.
Most central of these questions is "How do we know?", while other questions include:
- What counts as evidence for X?
- How do we judge which is the best model of Y?
- What does theory Z mean in the real world?
What is the significance of TOK?
TOK aims to make students aware of the interpretative nature of knowledge, including personal ideological biases – whether these biases are retained, revised or rejected.
TOK offers students and their teachers the opportunity to:
- Reflect critically on diverse ways of knowing and on areas of knowledge
- Consider the role and nature of knowledge in their own culture, in the cultures of others and in the wider world.
TOK prompts students to:
- Be aware of themselves as thinkers, encouraging them to become more acquainted with the complexity of knowledge
- Recognize the need to act responsibly in an increasingly interconnected but uncertain world.
Assessment of TOK
The TOK course is assessed through an oral presentation and a 1,600 word essay. The presentation assesses the ability of the student to apply TOK thinking to a real-life situation, while the essay takes a more conceptual starting point.
For more information, please contact the TOK Coordinator, Mr. Stoliker