TOK can be a new way of thinking for students. Establishing the ‘why’ behind TOK from the start is recommended to hook students to the course. We’ve put together some activities to help you get started!
Activity 1 | Icebreaker
To get students talking about why they need to learn about knowledge, have them watch Alan Watts’ video “The Knowing”. This can be followed with a hands-on icebreaker as suggested below to get students talking about why they need to learn about knowledge.
The purpose of this activity is to explore the versatility of knowledge and the way different perspectives impact the way we produce knowledge.
Start off the first TOK class by doing some TOK!
- Distribute the same brand and flavor of boxed juice to all students.
- Ask students to examine the juice box design, logo and texture individually and record their visual and tactile observations.
- Then have them drink the beverage and record their olfactory and gustatory observations.
- Use this template to have students document their observations in a shared Google doc.
- Present the document and discuss the diversity of the responses and what they tell us about knowledge.
Use My worldview illustration to further the discussion.
Activity 2 | Connecting the core theme to scope
For this activity, students can explore the scope aspect of the knowledge framework using the knowledge question – What criteria can we use to distinguish between knowledge, belief, and opinion? Ask students to make a list of things or ideas they know with certainty. Then, put them in pairs and have them refute each others’ claims. Each group debriefs the rest of the class once done. Then have students complete this activity to help them further explore the nuances between knowledge, beliefs, and opinions.
Activity 3 | Connecting the optional theme of politics to evidence
For this activity, students can explore the TOK concept of evidence within the context of politics. Introduce the following statement to students: The use/misuse of statistical evidence in politics. Share Mark Twain’s quote, “Lies, damned lies, and statistics” with students and lead a discussion about the role of statistics in politics. Have students watch TED-Ed’s video about the misuse of graphs to misrepresent statistical data. Then have students explore this webpage of examples of statistical misuse. Wrap up with a pros and cons activity about the role of statistics in politics.
Activity 4 | Connecting the optional theme of religion to perspective
For this activity, students can explore the element of perspective of the knowledge framework using the knowledge question – How has our understanding and perception of religious knowledge changed over time? Share Seneca’s quote “Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful,” with students and lead a discussion. Then have students watch this video on religion in different countries and consider why some religions are growing faster than others. Then have them reflect on why some people opt for atheism. Wrap up by having students reflect on personal experiences of their own with respect to this change.
Activity 5 | Connecting the AOK of natural sciences to responsibility
For this activity, students can explore the TOK concept of responsibility within the context of the natural sciences. Introduce the following statement to students: Responsibility towards conducting scientific research ethically. Share with students this article. and lead a discussion about the ethical principles involved in scientific research. Divide the students into groups and have them discuss the ethical principles to be considered for each of the case studies outlined at the end of the article. Wrap up discussion by having students reflect on Elvin Stakman’s quote, “Science cannot stop while ethics catches up … and nobody should expect scientists to do all the thinking for the country.”
For more such activities that link the core themes, optional themes, and areas of knowledge to the knowledge framework and the 12 TOK concepts, download this handbook now!
