TOK Exhibition – 950 words

  1. Summary from TOK.net
  2. TOK Guidelines
  3. How to start the Exhibition
  4. Useful Resources
  5. Examples
  6. TOK Exhibition Rubric

Summary from TOK.net

IBDP TOK Guide Guidelines

Theory of Knowledge Guide

How to start the Exhibition

The key objective of the Exhibition is to link TOK to the real world. Therefore, choose three objects which exist and you can provide proof of them.

Below is a guide for starting the Exhibition. Arguably, you can begin with ‘2’ instead of ‘1’ but it is your choice.

  1. You may identify a core theme (knowledge and the knower) or optional (politics, religion, language, technology and indigenous societies). This may help you focus future choices. BUT this is not compulsory, it is not in the rubric. This is the same for the AOK. You are allowed to choose more than one theme but this may make your commentary less focused. However, It is recommended that it is linked to one of the themes – core or optional
  2. Choose ONE prompt from the list of 35 that may link to your theme.
  3. Can you link any key concepts and/ or thinkers (see below) to it? Research the key words from the prompt and the theme or AOK you are interested in.
  4. Make sure the object is a real-life example. Do you have evidence? The more specific the object is, the better. For example, if a bike is your object you can make it more specific to the brand, age, technological capabilities, colour, purpose, origin, size etc.
  5. How does the object link to the prompt? ‘The object is interesting in exploring the prompt because…’ Ensure you have linked the object to the real world.
  6. If an object could be replaced easily by another object to make the same points then it is probably not a suitable object (hence the recommendation that it should have some “personal” connection to the student)
  7. You do not need to write an introduction.
  8. Justify why you have chosen the object.
  9. How does the object link to WOK/ AOK and/ or a theme?
  10. In choosing the second object, can you think of one which allows for a different perspective to the prompt?
  11. You do not need to write a conclusion to the prompt.

Useful Resources

IB Mastery

Core Theme – Taiye Selasi, John Stuart Mill and Paul Bloom. (13:18 to 22:00)

Optional Themes – Lesley Hazleton (Politics and Religion), Kory Stamper (Language), Wade Davis (Indigenous Societies) from 22:01 to 30:00.

AOKs – Lin-Manuel Miranda (Art), Chimamanda Ngozi Adichee (History) and Elif Shafak (Art) from 30:01 to 34:52.

You should also discuss the themes and AOKs with your subject teachers.

Examples

TOK Example 1 – Is bias inevitable in the production of knowledge? Science, Mathematics and Language.

  • Start with the choice of prompt.
  • Find three objects which link to it.
  • First Object is the kilogram weight.
  • The second is a mathematical calculator.
  • The third focuses on an object that is bias. This allows for balance.

TOK Exhibition Example 2 – In what ways do values affect the production of knowledge? Technology,

  • Choose your first object – cribs (baby cage).
  • Select a prompt.
  • Choose an object which differs from the first – Atlatl (spear).
  • Nuanced idea – values differ so choose an object that conveys this.
  • Third object – Rorschach’s Ink Test, Card 4.

TOK Exhibition Rubric

https://blog.britishmuseum.org/the-british-museum-membercast-i-object/