1. Theory Of Knowledge TOK
ALS

3. IB Hexagon

4. Nature of the Subject
The TOK challenges students and their teachers to reflect critically on diverse ways of knowing and areas of knowledge, and to consider the role which knowledge plays in a global society.
It encourages students to become aware of themselves as thinkers, to become aware of the complexity of knowledge, and to recognize the need to act responsibly in an increasingly interconnected world.

5. Nature of the Subject
The TOK programme is composed almost entirely of questions.
The most central of these questions is ‘How do I, or how do we, know that a given assertion is true, or a given judgment is well grounded?’
The questions have been grouped into four broad categories: Knowers and Knowing, Ways of Knowing, Areas of Knowledge and Linking Questions.

6. The TOK Diagram

11. Ways of Knowing and Areas of Knowledge
Language and Emotions
History
Methods of data collection
Validity of sources
Uniqueness as a body of knowledge
Objectivity vs subjectivity

12. Aims
Develop a fascination with the richness of knowledge, and an understanding of the empowerment that follows from reflecting on it
Develop an awareness of how knowledge is constructed, critically examined, evaluated and renewed, by communities and individuals
develop an understanding of why critically examining knowledge claims is important

13. Aims
develop a critical capacity to evaluate beliefs and knowledge claims
make interdisciplinary connections
consider that knowledge may place responsibilities on the knower
understand the strengths and limitations of individual and cultural perspectives

14. Knowers and Knowing Knowers and Knowing Nature of Knowing
Knowers and Sources of Knowledge
Justification of Knowledge Claims

15. Ways of Knowing Perception Language Nature of Perception
Limitations of Perception
Language
Nature of Language
Language and Knowledge
Functions of Language
Language and Culture

16. Ways of Knowing Reason Emotion Nature of Reason Reason and Knowledge
Strengths and Weaknesses of Reason
Emotion
Nature of Emotion
Emotion and Knowledge

17. Areas of Knowledge Mathematics Definition of Mathematics
Mathematics and Reality
Mathematics and Knowledge Claims

18. Areas of Knowledge Natural Sciences Definition of the Natural Sciences
Natural Sciences: Methods of Gaining Knowledge
Natural Sciences and Knowledge Claims
Natural Sciences and Values
Natural Sciences and Technology

19. Areas of Knowledge Human Sciences Definition of the Human Sciences
Human Sciences: Methods of Gaining Knowledge
Human Sciences and Knowledge Claims
Human Sciences and Values

20. Areas of Knowledge History Definition of History
History: Methods for Gaining Knowledge
History and Knowledge Claims
History and Values

21. Areas of Knowledge The Arts Definition of the Arts
The Arts: Methods of Gaining Knowledge
The Arts and Knowledge Claims
The Arts and Values
The Arts and Knowledge Perspectives

22. Areas of Knowledge Ethics Definition of Ethics
Ethics: Methods of Gaining Knowledge and Knowledge Claims
Ethics and Values
Ethics and Technology
Ethics and Knowledge Perspectives
Ethics and Politics

23. TOK Points TOK Points Points awarded for:
External Assessment: the Essay (1,200-1,600 words) on a Prescribed Title (40 points)
Internal Assessment: the Presentation (approximately 10 minutes per student) (20 points)
both are combined to give a total out of 60.

24. Sample Assessment Topics
A sample Essay Title:
“We see and understand things not as they are but as we are.” Discuss this claim in relation to at least two ways of knowing.
Sample Presentation Topics:
Plastic surgery
Banning of videogames 
Media and society