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Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is a very attractive subject of the DP core. It is a core subject of the IB Diploma Programme, which runs through the two-year study of IBDP.
What kind of subject is TOK?
TOK is not about specific knowledge in a certain field, but the development and improvement of critical thinking skills. In other words, TOK does not teach specific knowledge like the other subjects do, such as Chinese, Mathematics, English, science, art, etc., but teaches students to reflect on what they have learned from these subjects and daily life.
As high school students, they have accumulated a large amount of subject knowledge in the classroom, and they are constantly receiving various information, beliefs, and opinions outside the classroom, but they rarely have the opportunity to think about the various issues behind the knowledge. For example, how and where does the knowledge that human beings master come from? How far can we rely on the knowledge?
TOK guides students to see from a higher perspective, to examine the endless process of human beings acquiring knowledge, to explore the methods human beings use to discover knowledge, communicate knowledge, and verify knowledge, to understand various cognitive traps and prejudices, and to recognize the structural formation and elements of existing knowledge, to encourage students to re-examine the basic subject knowledge they have learned, cultivate their curiosity to explore the world, and develop their rigorous logical thinking and critical thinking.
The TOK assessment is divided into two parts: exhibition (accounting for 33%) and essay (accounting for 67%). Each student is required to create an exhibition of three objects and write a commentary based on the theme of the exhibition.
For the essay, IB will announce six topics for students to choose one to write each year.
For example, one of the 2023 essay topics is: “
Are visual representations always helpful in the communication of knowledge? Discuss with reference to the human sciences and mathematics.
As to this topic, students need to pay attention to "the communication of knowledge” and analyse the factors that influence the communication and spread of knowledge.
At the 2022 TOK Exhibition of Guangzhou Foreign Language School ISA Wenhua IB Diploma Programme, focusing on questions such as "What are the challenges to spreading and/or communicating knowledge?", "How do social values affect the generation of knowledge?", "What can be used as effective evidence for judgement?” and other questions, students select relevant pictures, explain and discuss about these questions, and make an exhibition.
TOK is not teaching us to "criticize whenever we are unhappy". In the class, we focus on key words to understand knowledge from its origin: how does knowledge come to exist? Why is it such kind of knowledge? Solving these questions will help us become better academics and thinkers, learn to think, and apply our thinking to use.
Just like in our recent writing topic, we talked about a tree falling in the deep forest, but no one nearby heard the sound from the tree. Did the tree make a sound? Party A and B gave diametrically opposite answers, and neither party is wrong in this class. Under the guidance of the teacher, we found that the two parties have different definitions of sound. Party A thinks from a physical point of view that a tree will vibrate when it falls, and the vibration will make a sound; B thinks from a physiological point of view that even if there is vibration, it is only when the ear perceives, and the brain receives that there is sound. And this is to teach us to look at issues from different perspectives.
How does TOK help in the application for top universities?
Through the study in TOK, students achieve the following:
1. Develop the habit of diligently reflecting on self-cognition;
2. Establish a dialectical view of all kinds of knowledge, be aware of the limitations and uncertainties of knowledge, and learn to analyse and evaluate them reasonably;
3. Deeply understand the significance of values, sense of responsibility and moral considerations in the construction, learning and application of knowledge;
4. Step out of their own narrow foothold, examine issues from multiple external perspectives, open their minds, and be open-minded. This ability is the way to survive in the context of globalization today - cross-cultural awareness;
5. Through the horizontal comparison of the scope, application, concept, construction method and learning method of knowledge in different fields, it helps students to consciously establish interdisciplinary connections. It helps the high school students to deepen their thinking, to actively create knowledge instead of just passively receiving knowledge, laying a solid foundation for a higher academic platform in their future.
The key competence required by TOK of learners is favoured by top universities, and it is also an essential quality today with the explosion of information and the rapid development of science and technology.
At GZFLS ISA Wenhua IB Diploma Programme, students learn TOK in English and are encouraged to confidently express their ideas. While exercising their thinking ability, they are also trained in academic English required in other subjects. Students feel more confident in their use of English, which is crucial for university applications.
IB believes that in a rapidly changing world, the ability to think independently will be an asset that will benefit students throughout their lives.
Welcome to join the family of IB learners and start the exciting and challenging study of TOK!
