THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE:
THE “BEATING HEART” OF THE IB
CURRICULUM
Video
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3U-demvto
Objectives
• Provide an orientation to the recently updated
ToK curriculum
Aims & Objectives
• The aims and objectives of the course have been extensively rewritten.
TOK Diagram
From 2008 Guide
From 2015 Guide
TOK presentation structure outline
Other real-life
situation
Personal
knowledge
Real-life situation
extraction
Shared
knowledge
Knowledge question
(recognized)
"We know
because..."
progression
Other real-life
situation
"I know
because ..."
Knowledge question(s)
(developed)
Personal & Shared Knowledge
The same person
reads a lot about
Computer
Programming, but
who also writes his
own programs.
Shared
knowledge
“We know
Someone
who was
because…”
born
in 1995 and
knows about the
moon landing only
from history books
The same person
is the
only one who
Personal
knows
how he feels
knowledge
when he listens to
“I know
Beethoven’s
because…”
Moonlight Sonata.
Shared Knowledge
as SOURCE of
Personal Knowledge
Personal & Shared Knowledge
•Someone who has heard
of curling, but who has
never seen it or played it,
who knows no one who
plays it, and who doesn’t
read about it.
A professional entomologist
who has not only studied
entomology for many years,
but who has also
contributed much to shared
knowledge through
“We know
research, publications, and
because…”
professional presentations.
Shared
knowledge
Personal
knowledge
“I know
because…”
•Someone who has
studied the Mexican
Revolution in school, but
who has done no further
reading or research.
•Someone with a passion
for Japanese music, who
buys it, listens to it, and
Illustrating
much of
reads
about ithow
often.
the available shared
knowledge there is an
individual has learned.
Personal & Shared Knowledge
Person 1
Only experience with
butterflies is from seeing
them flying around the yard
and reading about them in
story books.
Person 3
Professional Entomologist
Shared
knowledge
“We know
because…”
Person 4
Amateur with a passion for
lepidoptera. Participates in
the annual NABA Butterfly
Count; keeps records of
sightings; takes photographs;
member professional
organization.
Person 2
University student; taken
numerous biology classes,
including some introductory
courses in Entomology.
Sponsors annual NABA
count.
Where are the WOK?
Personal
knowledge
"I know
Ways of Knowing
because..."
Shared
knowledge
"We know
because..."
Series of Diagrams
TOK presentation structure outline
Other real-life
situation
Real-life situation
Other real-life
situation
extraction
Knowledge question
(recognized)
progression
Knowledge question(s)
(developed)
Key Terminology
2008 Guide
Knowledge
Issues
2015 Guide
Knowledge Questions
Ways of Knowing
2008 Guide
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Language
Sense Perception
Emotion
Reason
2015 Guide
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Language
Sense Perception
Emotion
Reason
Imagination
Faith
Intuition
Memory
Areas of Knowledge
•
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2008 Guide
Mathematics
Natural Sciences
Human Sciences
History
The Arts
Ethics
2015 Guide
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Mathematics
Natural Sciences
Human Sciences
History
The Arts
Ethics
Religious Knowledge Systems
Indigenous Knowledge Systems
Assessment:
2008 Guide
2015 Guide
TOK Essay: 2/3
TOK Presentation: 1/3
TOK Essay: 2/3
TOK Presentation: 1/3
Note: neither the type of assessment nor the relative weight of the two
assessments has changed; instead, the scoring criteria and submission
procedures have changed, as have the instructions to teachers.
Assessment: The Essay
•
•
•
•
•
•
2008 Guide
10 Prescribed Titles
Same titles Nov/May
Released about 18 months in advance
1200-1600 words
Four scoring criteria, each with
multiple facets
Mark out of 40
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2015 Guide
6 Prescribed Titles
Different titles Nov/May
Released about 6 months in advance
1600 word maximum
Global Impression Marking; one central
question w/two facets
Mark out of 10 (counted twice)
Assessment: The Presentation
•
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2008 Guide
Maximum group size 5
Students in group could earn different
marks
TOK/PPD completed and kept on file
until end of exam session
Some schools asked for video for
moderation
Four scoring criteria each with multiple
facets
Mark out of 20
2015 Guide
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•
•
•
Maximum group size 3
Students in group must earn same mark
TOK/PPD completely revised
ALL TOK/PPD forms uploaded for
moderation
• Some schools asked for video for
moderation
• Global Impression Marking; one central
question
• Mark out of 10