INTRO to TOK EXHIBITION

Step 1: choose the IA prompt and look for three objects.

1 a) Choose the IA prompts from the list of prescribed IA prompts (see
below).
As a first step in the exhibition process, you should choose the IA prompt you will use to connect the three
objects to. Remember that all three (images of) objects should relate to the same prompt. The same
prompts remain available for the duration of this specification (this means that they don't change every year,
as opposed to the essay titles). The idea is that you link the prompts to the TOK themes you have learned in
class. So, when you choose a prompt, consider how you may be able to relate it to themes such as
knowledge and the knower, knowledge and technology etc.

You have to choose one of the following prompts:

Be careful: The chosen prompt must be used exactly as given; it must not be
altered in any way !!!

1. What counts as knowledge?

2. Are some types of knowledge more useful than others?
3. What features of knowledge have an impact on its reliability?
4. On what grounds might we doubt a claim?
5. What counts as good evidence for a claim?
6. How does the way that we organize or classify knowledge affect what we know?
7. What are the implications of having, or not having, knowledge?
8. To what extent is certainty attainable?
9. Are some types of knowledge less open to interpretation than others?
10. What challenges are raised by the dissemination and/or communication of
knowledge?
11. Can new knowledge change established values or beliefs?
12. Is bias inevitable in the production of knowledge? 36.
13. How can we know that current knowledge is an improvement upon past
knowledge?
14. Does some knowledge belong only to particular communities of knowers?
15. What constraints are there on the pursuit of knowledge?
16. Should some knowledge not be sought on ethical grounds?
17. Why do we seek knowledge?
18. Are some things unknowable?
19. What counts as a good justification for a claim?
20. What is the relationship between personal experience and knowledge?
21. What is the relationship between knowledge and culture?
22. What role do experts play in influencing our consumption or acquisition of
knowledge?
23. How important are material tools in the production or acquisition of knowledge?
24. How might the context in which knowledge is presented influence whether it is
accepted or rejected?
25. How can we distinguish between knowledge, belief and opinion?
26. Does our knowledge depend on our interactions with other knowers?
27. Does all knowledge impose ethical obligations on those who know it?
 28. To what extent is objectivity possible in the production or acquisition of
knowledge?
29. Who owns knowledge?
30. What role does imagination play in producing knowledge about the world?
31. How can we judge when evidence is adequate?
32. What makes a good explanation?
33. How is current knowledge shaped by its historical development?
34. In what ways do our values affect our acquisition of knowledge?
35. In what ways do values affect the production of knowledge?

Once you have chosen the prompt, you should

start
to think about possible objects you may relate
to it.
All three objects should be related to the same
prompt.

1 b) Select the (images of) objects. All objects should relate to the
same IA prompt.
The images above are some possible examples of (images of) objects students could select (albeit not related
to the same prompt).

Once you have chosen your IA prompt, think about three objects you could connect to the prompt. The word
"object" can be interpreted broadly; remember that you can also use an image of an object. Ideally, you use
objects that you are interested in or objects that are interesting in a TOK context. As Ric Sims has mentioned
in one of his webinars, you really want the object to do the talking. The whole point of the exhibition is that
you see TOK connections in the real world. So, keep your eyes and ears open throughout the course. Keep a
log of possible interesting "objects" (TOK material) for your exhibition when you are tackling the TOK themes
within your TOK lessons. These objects can come from subject lessons, what you experience at school, and
also what you encounter outside the classroom. Remember that these objects should be related to knowledge.
Ric Sims also mentions the concept of "materiality of knowlegde". In that sense, some objects may represent
how knowledge has been recorded (through language), or how we can gather or create knowlegde through
some objects, for example. Also, sometimes objects represent and reinforce knowledge that has been created
in particular societies or communities of knowers. (This can almost take a life on its own, in some cases). In
practice, the objects (and IA prompts) should have something to do with the themes you have studied in TOK:
either the core theme (knowledge and the knower), or one of the optional themes (Knowledge and language,
religion, technology, indigenous societies or politics). (The areas of knowledge, on the other hand, will be
assessed through the TOK essay.)

So what kinds of things are suitable objects for the TOK exhibition? First of all, don't panic if you live in a
very remote place where you have little access to physical objects. The objects could be digital as well. For
example, you can use a photo of an important page of a textbook or a law that has been passed somewhere.
You can use a tweet by a political leader etc. Remember that the object has to be something that would appear
in the real world or have a real-world context. You could even use something that you "own" or have created
yourself previously (let's say, your EE or your IB Art exhibition piece). But, it cannot be something you have
created for the purpose of the TOK exhibition. Your object should have a particular context that is meaningful
and has a real-world context in the world as it is. Generic photos of babies, or young girls etc don't have this
context. If you have a picture of a particular young girl to whom a context matters, that could work, however.
As such, this is the same for any exhibition. You should be able to say something about the particular object
or image you have chosen.

The objects you have chosen may all refer to different aspects of the prompt, whereby the three objects together
relate to all aspects of the prompt when they are brought together. Or, conversely, each object may relate to
all aspects of the prompt (but perhaps in a different way). The prompt will inform the objects you have chosen.
However, the way you unpack the prompt or different aspects of the prompt will in its turn be defined by the
objects you have chosen.

You should reference any images or objects. If the object is your own or if you use something you have
created, you should also mention this. Otherwise teachers and moderators don't get it. But, once again,
remember that you cannot create an object especially for the TOK exhibition (because that way the context is
not there and it defeats the TOK purpose).

Step 2) Write a commentary

The commentary on the object should contain an identification of the object, an explanation of its specific real world
context, an explanation of how the object links to the chosen IA prompt and also a justification as to why you have
chosen to include this object in the exhibition on the chosen prompt. Teachers can give oral and written feedback on
this stage of the exhibition process (but not edit the form).

TASK:

During the lesson:

1) Choose one AI prompt

2) Explain why you find this particular AI prompt interesting
3) Choose one object
4) Explain briefly how you would connect the object with the AI prompt
5) Post it in the class notes, or send it as a text document
(Completing 1-5 counts as „present during the lesson”)

As a homework- by 25th November :

6) Write a short commentary ~200 words on the object (in the context of the core theme: Knowledge and the
knower)
7) Post your commentary along with the picture of your object and the chosen AI in your class notebook