KIs: Knowledge Issues

TOK definition of KIs Knowledge issues are questions that directly refer to our understanding of the world, ourselves and others, in connection with the acquisition, search for, production, shaping and acceptance of knowledge.

TOK description of KIs Knowledge issues can reveal how knowledge can be a benefit, a gift, a pleasure and a basis for further thought and action; just as they can uncover the possible uncertainties, biases in approach, or limitations relating to knowledge, ways of knowing, and the methods of verification and justification appropriate in different areas of knowledge.

Knowledge Issues often start with the question How do we know… How do we know if a source or claim can be trusted? How do we know what is morally right or wrong? How do we know what our conclusions rest on? How do we know if results are accurate?

Knowledge Issues can be related to the four Ways of Knowing Reason (logic / inductive reasoning / deduction / syllogism) Emotion (intuition / feelings / moods) Sense Perception (the 5 senses / Kinaesthetic awareness etc.) Language (all forms of structured communication) Questions could relate to: definition / use / importance / limitations / negative effects etc. in relation to your subject area

Knowledge Issues can be questions about subject areas Is Mathematics present in Nature? How reliable is proof in the Natural Sciences? Are the human Sciences really Science? How useful is knowledge gained in History?

Knowledge Issues can be related to Distinctions & Connections between subject areas What makes one subject area different from other subjects? What is Scientific about Science? How is a subject defined – are there disagreements? Where are the boundaries of your subject? What is the relationship between one subject area and other subject areas? What does your subject have in common with other subject areas? Why is your subject area clustered in a specific Area of Knowledge?

So, What is a KI again? Knowledge Issues are questions that directly refer to our understanding of the world, ourselves and others, in connection with the acquisition, search for, production, shaping and acceptance of knowledge. – TOK Guide K.I.s are about how we know, about the difficulties that may be involved in coming to knowledge in these situations, about the reliable and trustworthy ways (and how reliable and trustworthy they are).

Lets Look at a Knowledge Issue What distinguishes men from women? (This is my knowledge issue) Make a list with your partner. (beside each distinction explain what area of knowledge it comes from) We will put a list on the board.

What is the bias or uncertainty in the Knowledge Issue? Lets read the article from the National Programmed Radio program Gene Plays a Critical Role in Gender Divide. &t=1&islist=false&id= &m= &t=1&islist=false&id= &m= How does this effect your understanding of what makes men or women different? What area of knowledge is this information coming from. Would other areas of knowledge look at this type of question differently? Its very difficult to define what is a man and what is a women at this point, said Christine McGinn, a plastic surgeon who specializes in transgender medicine.

Implications? If we start questioning the rigidity of the distinction between men and women how may this effect sport? How about the Olympics? (sub question)Why are the only distinction in sport between men and women? Sometimes weight and height are also used, but not often How about the awards at the MTV Music Awards or the Oscars? (they have different awards for men and women)

Progression Chart

Progression Chart (continued)

TOK Presentation 8-10 Minutes This presentation will require an integration of the ways of knowing with the areas of knowledge and base this integration in the real world. Grades will be authentically based on the TOK Presentation Rubric. The ways of knowing are filters through which we gain knowledge in the various areas of knowledge. Relate yourself as a knower to one of the areas of knowledge through one of the ways of knowing.

TOK Presentation HAND IN: One written presentation planning document (steps 1-3) and presentation marking form (step 4): 1) Real-Life situation/contemporary problem 2) The knowledge issue that is the focus of the presentation 3) The format used and a summary in note form of the knowledge issues to be treated during the presentation and: due the class the prior to presentation. 4) Achievement levels for each of the four assessment criteria, briefly justified: due at the beginning of the class immediately following the presentation.

TOK Presentation Example: 1) Real-life situation/contemporary problem: Global warming 2) Knowledge Issue: Can we be certain that global warming is taking place? or, Does language affect our view of whether or not the planet is undergoing global warming (natural sciences)? 3) Format: Analyze and critically evaluate video and newspaper clips involving the views of experts, politicians and activists who defend or dispute the notion that the planet is suffering from global warming. Draws attention to different aspects of the evidencethe nature of the words used, statistics and graphs, photographs. Bulleted list and bibliography attached 4) Knowers point of view: The evidence in favor of global warming is compelling, in some cases it is difficult to separate some protagonists positions and how they are formulated from the interest groups they represent.

TOK Presentation Use the progression chart to create a KI for a presentation Then brainstorm a plan and fill out the presentation planning form Presentation Planning Form DUE Sept. 5 th Presentations start week of October 10 th