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ToK Today
Portugal
Приєднався 8 лют 2022
ToKToday is a learning resource for students and teachers of the IB Theory of Knowledge course. ToKToday hopes to make ToK more accessible for students and teachers. We aim to do this by providing accessible and effective resources for both the learning and teaching of ToK. For more details of the resources available visit TokToday.com for our Student Support Page, Teacher Support Page, and Blog Posts.
TeacherSupport Pack: ToK Essays May 25
ToKToday has produced a support pack for ToK teachers supporting students writing the Theory of Knowledge (ToK) May 2025 Essays.
You get:
A mind map for each essay.
An explainer video for each essay.
Summary notes for each essay.
One payment for all 6 essays (US$28, EUR25, SGD 37, HK$220)
Find out more, and purchase: www.toktoday.com/digital-products-2-1
NB - These resources are not designed for students, Students are advised to buy the Student Guidance Notes - to be released at the end of September.
You get:
A mind map for each essay.
An explainer video for each essay.
Summary notes for each essay.
One payment for all 6 essays (US$28, EUR25, SGD 37, HK$220)
Find out more, and purchase: www.toktoday.com/digital-products-2-1
NB - These resources are not designed for students, Students are advised to buy the Student Guidance Notes - to be released at the end of September.
Переглядів: 106
Відео
What's the point of the Optional Themes in ToK ?
Переглядів 60Місяць тому
In today’s video, I reflect on a question that often puzzles both students and ToK educators: What’s the point of the Optional Themes in ToK? Whilst these themes aren’t formally assessed, they play a unique role in the Theory of Knowledge course. I’ll share my thoughts on why the IB recommends linking the Exhibition to an Optional Theme, why I sometimes deviate from this advice, and how the Opt...
Skills in ToK: Can you help ?
Переглядів 46Місяць тому
There is no official skills diagram for IB's Theory of Knowledge (ToK) course. However, the development of specific skills is essential for success in the course. In this video I briefly outline the ToK skills diagram that I have been developing with other ToK teachers. I also invite you to contribute to the further development of this skills diagram. For a (free) copy of the Skills & Summary S...
What is a Knowledge Question ?
Переглядів 336Місяць тому
Understanding what a knowledge question is is a straightforward, but essential, element of Theory of Knowledge (ToK). In today's video I quickly run through an explanation of what a knowledge question, and explain the differences between first order and second order knowledge questions. This will be useful for YoK students as they start their Exhibition or ToK Essay. For more information: to co...
2 Yrs of TokToday ! Looking back & forwards
Переглядів 38Місяць тому
It's 2 yrs since the founding of ToKToday, so it's an opportunity to look back at how things have gone in the second year of the channel & website, and look forward to what's happening in the coming year. To contact me: Daniel@ToKToday.com For more information: toktoday.com/2024/08/09/toktoday-2nd-anniversary-how-far-have-we-come/
How to structure ToK Course: #4/4 The Skills+ Model (TokToday preferred model).
Переглядів 90Місяць тому
#4 / 4 video on how to structure the Theory of Knowledge (ToK) course. In this video we look at how the course can be structured using ToK Skills. This is the preferred model of TokTody presenter, Daniel. For thoughts, requests and questions feel free to contact me: Daniel@TokToday.com, or leave them in the video chat below. For more details: toktoday.com/2024/08/05/how-to-structure-tok-course-...
How to structure ToK Course: #3/4 Themes & Big Questions Approach
Переглядів 61Місяць тому
#3 / 4 videos on how to structure the Theory of Knowledge (ToK) course. In this video we look at how the course can be structured using Themes & "Big Questions". For thoughts, requests and questions feel free to contact me: Daniel@TokToday.com, or leave them in the video chat below. for more details go to: toktoday.com/2024/08/01/how-to-structure-the-tok-course-3-4-themes-big-questions-approach...
How to structure ToK Course: #2/4 ToK Concepts & Knowledge Questions Model
Переглядів 83Місяць тому
#2 / 4 videos on how to structure the Theory of Knowledge (ToK) course. In this video we look at the course can be structured using ToK Concepts & Knowledge Questions. For thoughts, requests and questions feel free to contact me: Daniel@TokToday.com, or leave them in the video chat below. for more details go to: toktoday.com/2024/07/30/how-to-structure-the-tok-course-2-4-tok-concepts-knowledge-...
How to structure ToK Course: #1/4 ToK Curriculum Framework
Переглядів 75Місяць тому
#1 / 4 videos on how to structure the Theory of Knowledge (ToK) course. In this video we look at the most straightforward model: using the ToK Curriculum framework to structure the course. For thoughts, requests and questions feel free to contact me: Daniel@TokToday.com, or leave them in the video chat below. for more details go to: toktoday.com/2024/07/26/how-to-structure-the-tok-course-1-4-to...
What have you told me ?
Переглядів 352 місяці тому
A brief run through some of the findings from the recent TokToday Survey. To take the survey (it's anonymous): forms.gle/vMrbniojq52jyp1w8 #theoryofknowledge #tok #IBtok #ibdp
Can new knowledge change established values & beliefs ? (Exhibition Prompt #11)
Переглядів 3702 місяці тому
An overview of one way in which to answer Theory of Knowledge (ToK) Exhibition prompt #11: Can new knowledge change established values & beliefs ? Remember, this is only one way of approaching the prompt. This prompt could be answered in many other, some better, ways. For more information: toktoday.com/2024/07/18/tok-exhibition-prompt-11-can-new-knowledge-change-established-values-or-beliefs/ F...
How to write an excellent conclusion for the ToK Essay.
Переглядів 1692 місяці тому
A brief explanation of the difference between a good conclusion, and an excellent conclusion to The Theory of Knowledge (ToK) Essay. For more details go to: toktoday.com/2024/07/16/how-to-write-an-excellent-conclusion-to-a-tok-essay/ For the e-book How to Write The ToK Essay in 6 Easy Steps: toktoday.com/product/album/ For details of essay coaching (with Daniel): toktoday.com/tok-help-student-s...
How to evaluate AoK The Arts in ToK Essay
Переглядів 1822 місяці тому
4 broad evaluation points that can be used to evaluate Area of Knowledge (AoK) The Arts in the Theory of Knowledge (ToK) Essay. For more details see: For more help with the ToK Essay: toktoday.com/the-tok-essay/ For more help with the ToK Exhibition: toktoday.com/the-tok-exhibition/ For video on how to evaluate AoK Natural Sciences: ua-cam.com/video/bDW1aiam_CU/v-deo.htmlsi=b7XCEdgWQq6XgrJC For...
How to evaluate AoK Mathematics in ToK Essay
Переглядів 952 місяці тому
4 broad evaluation points that can be used to evaluate Area of Knowledge (AoK) Mathematics in the Theory of Knowledge (ToK) Essay. For more details see: toktoday.com/2024/07/08/how-to-evaluate-aok-mathematics/ For more help with the ToK Essay: toktoday.com/the-tok-essay/ For more help with the ToK Exhibition: toktoday.com/the-tok-exhibition/
How to evaluate AoK History in ToK Essay
Переглядів 1712 місяці тому
4 broad evaluation points that can be used to evaluate Area of Knowledge (AoK) History in the Theory of Knowledge (ToK) Essay. For more details see: toktoday.com/2024/07/02/how-to-evaluate-aok-history/ For more help with the ToK Essay: toktoday.com/the-tok-essay/ For more help with the ToK Exhibition: toktoday.com/the-tok-exhibition/
How to evaluate AoK Human Sciences in ToK Essay
Переглядів 1552 місяці тому
How to evaluate AoK Human Sciences in ToK Essay
How to evaluate AoK Natural Sciences in ToK Essay
Переглядів 1943 місяці тому
How to evaluate AoK Natural Sciences in ToK Essay
What makes a good object for the ToK Exhibition ?
Переглядів 2813 місяці тому
What makes a good object for the ToK Exhibition ?
What is the easiest ToK Exhibition prompt ?
Переглядів 5203 місяці тому
What is the easiest ToK Exhibition prompt ?
ToK Exhibition Prompt#34: Values & acquisition of knowledge
Переглядів 2513 місяці тому
ToK Exhibition Prompt#34: Values & acquisition of knowledge
12 ToK Concepts we could have had (Part 3/3)
Переглядів 863 місяці тому
12 ToK Concepts we could have had (Part 3/3)
12 ToK Concepts we could have had (Part 2/3)
Переглядів 774 місяці тому
12 ToK Concepts we could have had (Part 2/3)
Will you write my ToK Exhibition for me ?
Переглядів 1274 місяці тому
Will you write my ToK Exhibition for me ?
Teaching Power, Perspective & Responsibility in ToK
Переглядів 1314 місяці тому
Teaching Power, Perspective & Responsibility in ToK
How is current knowledge shaped by its historical development ? ToK Exhibition Prompt #33
Переглядів 7194 місяці тому
How is current knowledge shaped by its historical development ? ToK Exhibition Prompt #33
ToK Essay #6 Nov 24: Lens of artist & scientist: gains ?
Переглядів 8435 місяців тому
ToK Essay #6 Nov 24: Lens of artist & scientist: gains ?
Do you have any ready-made graphic for BLURS before I go an reinvent the wheel?
I'll email you.
Great advice. After watching this, we started 'questioning the question' and the students found they had so much more to say. I saw (and heard!) so many pennies drop in terms of what we're doing in TOK. They did not deviate from the discussion for a second, and you could see them leaning across the table to make their points, lots of gesticulations to show their passion for what they were talking about, and generally 'getting' TOK. I won't lie - it was magical to behold and made my geek heart sing. Thank you!
Many thanks - that's a wonderful description of the type of ToK learning that I love. My aim is to make ToK the "most fun, least stressful, lesson in the week". Once we have achieved the emotional engagement it's far easier to achieve the moments of insight, understanding and awe.
I don't have anything to contribute at the moment, but I'll keep it in mind as I develop my practice. However, I do want to say a massive THANK YOU for this. I'll be printing it off for my students to refer to and intentionally build skills around. Our school assesses the ATLs on each report for DP too, so I'll be mapping this across to the ATLs - looks pretty straightforward with (unsurprisingly) a heavy focus on Critical Thinking and Communication. Much appreciated.
Thanks for the supportive comments, as ever. The skills map needs editing...,
Excellent explanation. Thank you!
Thank you for your supportive comment - much appreciated.
Cool! Love the idea of taking the different perspectives as well as using the school's mission and vision statements. How meaningful! You rock!
Thanks Abena. I think that I first used the school's mission statement when a high up came to observe me - I wasn't trying to suck up, I was just trying to demonstrate that these Mission Statements don't make much sense outside of 'edu-speak' world. "We want to be ethical", mm whose 'ethics' ? Utilitarianism maybe, or possibly Nietzschean, maybe we could have a Burkeian week ! :)
So clear and straightforward. The examples are really helpful for students. Love having you as an (unaware) co-teacher in my classroom. 🤣Thanks so much!
Much appreciated. The student provided me with an important reminder to decentre more often.
Hello! I chose this prompt and this video helped me a lot during writing. I chose one object for each type of knowledge (personal, factual and practical), but I am still a little confused in how to develop for the practical knowledge one (a tennis racket). Thank you so much for the explanation!
Hi Sophia, thanks for the kind words. I'm not sure exactly what your knowledge argument is for the practical knowledge object, but I assume it will be something along the lines of : "practical knowledge is the result of practise and testing in real world settings. Therefore it is more useful than theoretical knowledge for understanding the physical world".
I don't know what could I have done without you.
I don't know what I would do without viewers, especially kind viewers who leave supportive comments. Thank you SO much !
Great video. Perfect for reviewing this AOK at the start of Year 2. Thank you!
Thank you - that's very kind.
Sadly I'm poor and the resources at my school for TOK are very bad, could I get the pdf :(
I can pay 5$ if you want :(
Email me (Daniel@ToKToday.com), I may have a solution for you.
Congratulations Daniel!! We appreciate everything you do!! 🦋
That's incredibly kind of you, thank you !
Thank you Daniel you are resourceful
Many thanks Nelisa, that's very kind of you - much appreciated !
Excellent Daniel!! The definitive explanation!!
That's very kind of you Gareth, thank you !
Brilliant I appreciate your content so much. Thank you so much
I'm so glad that it is useful. Thank you so much for the positive feedback, it is much appreciated !
Congratulations Daniel!!!! The success of your website and UA-cam channel is well deserved!! I salute you for making all the stats transparent. This made me very happy this morning! x x
Thank you so much Gareth, and thanks for your very insightful contributions to the channel last year. Very much appreciated ! xx
Well done Daniel and congratulations. Keep up all the hard work! 🎉
Many thanks for your support. Onwards & (hopefully) upwards !
thanks for this video ! but where should the knowledge claim be exactly ? should it be hidden in the commentary, perhaps the first or second paragraph ?
also, should the claim be the same for all 3 objects and should I repeat it for every object's commentary ?
The knowledge claim could go in the second paragraph. I ask my students to start the second paragraph with a sentence along the lines of "The reason for including this object in the exhibition is [knowledge claim]. This claim goes beyond the object's link to the prompt, it is more closely related to knowledge. For example , if I have used a vaccine as an object for the prompt Why do we seek knowledge ? The link could be that a vaccine shows us seeking knowledge to solve problems. The knowledge claim could be that one of the main motivations for seeking knowledge is to find solutions to evident problems. This second sentence ("one of the main motivations...," could go at the start of the second paragraph.
The knowledge claim needs to be specific to each individual object. Therefore you should have 3, different, knowledge claims. These knowledge claims are the "justification for the inclusion of the object in the exhibition". For example: for prompt #17 Why do we seek knowledge? Claim 1 could be we seek knowledge to salve curiousity. Claim 2 could be we seek knowledge to solve problems. Claim 3 could be we seek knowledge to verify intuition.
@@toktoday7978 thank you. I’ve been struggling throughout this whole year writing my commentary and only when I discovered your channel was I able to start writing it. Do you do any other types of video not related to TOK ? I love your honesty.
@@toktoday7978 oh I see. It’s a bit different with mine as my prompt is bias inevitable in the production of knowledge. So as I’m answering a question, all my objects prove that the process of producing knowledge triggers or rather questions that bias is not inevitable. Could I repeat this knowledge claim ?
My TOK teacher told me that I should use 1 claim and 1 counterclaim in my TOK essay discussing how severing ties with past may or may not benefit an area for this prompt. Can I just use 2 examples for each AOK about how severing ties with past with different knowledge frameworks benefits an AOK.
Your ToK teacher is correct that one broad claim & evaluation point (counterclaim) can be used to structure the essay around. You can then develop smaller claims, and evaluation points under the broad umbrella points. There's no set number of examples that should be used, but 4 examples will be sufficient for most essays.
Thank you so much for this video! You explained it very well and this genuinely helped me with choosing an IA prompt :).
I'm glad it was helpful. Thank you so much for your supportive comment - it is very much appreciated.
is "Personal experiences can enhance the acquired knowledge" a strong knowledge claim?
It's an excellent knowledge claim, perfect for this prompt. Well done !
@@toktoday7978 thank you so much
Thanks this helped a lot! I was so lost with how to write it😅
I'm glad that the video was useful. Thank you for the positive comment - it means a lot !
I also found this helpful
Thanks for these helpful videos and blogs. In this video you comment that the examiners consider 'evidence' as researched data exclusively. My understanding is that personal experience and reasoning can be considered support for an argument/justification for inclusion but apparently not for 'stronger responses'. Would you suggest making the TOK exhibit yet another heavily cited research project instead of encouraging students towards the possibility that their own perspective, experiences and reasoning could be academically valid?
I agree - "Evidence" can include personal experience and reasoning. I apologise if I said that it was exclusively external research. Evidence can include newspaper/magazine articles, the student's own studies, experiences etc. I don't think that The Exhibition needs to be a heavily cited research project (like the EE), just a simple citation of sources for the object, and the main knowledge claim(s). Encouraging students towards the validity of their own perspectives and reasoning is far more valuable than a heavily cited research paper in this assessment. Thanks for your insightful, and positive comment - it's much appreciated.
@@toktoday7978 Thanks back at ya. The high scoring samples from the official IB site have almost no research as evidence but the Subject Reports for the last two years heavily stress that research is "strongly recommended". They also emphasize introductions are usually not useful and examiner comments should be 'global impressions' not focused on specific mark scheme details but the high scoring examples go against these recommendations as well. Ever onwards and thanks for all your resources and help.
There's definitely no need for an Introduction. We've seen many 9-10/10 moderated samples without an Introduction section. I think that citing research sources can be a short-cut way to providing 'evidence', however as virtually anything counts for evidence I doubt most examiners are too concerned with this criteria. The big weakness in the IB samples, IMO, is how they demonstrate the 'justification for the inclusion of this object' - it's unclear, and very inconsistent. My approach is to tie the object to a specific knowledge argument, even though few of the IB exemplars use this approach it has always worked for the students and schools that I have worked with.
I feel like you would kill me in my sleep
Sorry to hear that I give you that vibe. I can assure you that I'm a peaceful sort of person.
helpfuulll thanks
Glad it was useful. Thanks for the comment.
came in clutch
Thanks a lot for the videos, Daniel! They were really helpful. I was having a hard time understanding this TOK title, but now I get it and I can start writing. You're a lifesaver!
I'm really glad that it was helpful to you. Thank you so much for your supportive comment, it really is appreciated.
I despise the lack of structure TOK has and it is a joke for it to be an IB mandate since every teacher grades and teaches differently, my class has an average of a C!!!!!
I hear you, & I understand your frustration. One of the main reasons for setting up ToKToday was to try to reduce that subjectivity, I'm trying to identify the elements of ToK that will are more likely to be awarded by examiners. Additionally, there is a fairly rigorous process of standardisation of assessment levels for the IB ToK Essay Examiners, if they fall outside of the expected range 2-3 times they are prevented from marking any further essays in that session. It's not entirely objective, but it's not entirely subjective either, like most things in life ! Thanks for the comment, hang in there, and hopefully TokToday can help to take some of the frustration away for you.
Thank you so much, I understand everything thanks to your explanation !
You are welcome! I'm glad that it helped.
Hello tok today! I finished my IB exams a week ago, and I just wanted to stop by and thank you for all your TOK videos, they helped me so so so muchh!!!
Thank you so much ! I am glad that you found the videos useful, and I really appreciate your positive comment. Good luck with the IB results.
@@toktoday7978 thank you so much!!
Good video!
Thank you for your positive comment - much appreciated.
excuse me??? its been one year, but im so eternally grateful, I described an object in 20 min thanks to your video
I'm so pleased that it was helpful, and I'm very grateful for your positive comment. thank you !
Thank you, I really understand more about this prompt thanks to the explication but there is one prompt that I didn't quite catch on and it is the prompt 34
Thanks for the kind words. I may look at Exhibition Prompt #34 in an upcoming video, but I'm afraid it won't be for a few weeks yet, I have a lot of projects on. You can always pick up the ebook Exhibition Prompts 31-35 explained: toktoday.com/product/tok-exhibition-prompts-31-35-explained/
@@toktoday7978 Thank you !!
Vid for Prompt #34 is up (hopefully not too late for you): ua-cam.com/video/qjjc_a4Ia1U/v-deo.html
Hi! Just wanted to say thanks for making this video! I chose the same prompt but had no idea how to turn it into a question and write out what kind of arguments I wanted to discuss in the essay - so your video incredibly helped me and I couldn't have been more relieved! Thank you!
I am so glad to hear that it was useful , and thank you so much for leaving a comment - it is very much appreciated ! best of luck with your ToK Exhibition commentary.
OMG... I picked this promt and understanding it is so hard. I haven't even watched the video but I'm commenting cause of my happiness seeing you cover the prompt I'm going to write about today!!!! Tysm sir!
I hope that the video was useful, get in touch if you have any questions. Thank you for leaving a comment - it's much appreciated.
@@toktoday7978 thank you so much! It was really useful. I want to ask, I have used the same knowledge arguments in this prompt but of course I have not made anytning else similar ~ would that be an issue of academic honesty? Sorry if this is a really simple question but these things always confuse me
The example you used to link those was very relevant and provokes discussion. Thanks for sharing!
I'm glad that you found it useful. Thank you for your positive comment.
Thank you, Daniel sir. Very much appreciate the work you have put it as it has cleared my doubts on this prompt!
I'm pleased that it was helpful, thanks for the feedback, best wishes for your Exhibition.
thank you a lot ! its really helpful to me
I'm glad that it was helpful. Thank YOU so much for the positive comment - it means a lot.
Hello Mr.Daniel, my ToK exhibition is, does some knowledge belong only to particular communities of knowers. Since in this video you mentioned that it is better to have 3 arguments. I have 3 arguments but one of them is not specific rather it is generic because basically i am saying that No, some knowledge doesn’t belong to particular community of knowers. Is being generic okay in this case and will the examiners understand? Thank you.
I think that the argument that some knowledge does NOT belong to particular communities of knowers is a very good argument, and one that should definitely be explored in this prompt. The prompt is exploring whether knowledge can "belong" to a group / person, and what might be meant by the term "belong". Great argument - go for it ! Thanks for the comment.
fire
What would be your overall answer to this prompt?
Like all good ToK answers my answer would be "it depends on how we define personal experience and knowledge". The whole prompt is about defining terms, Wittgenstein rules after all. Thanks for the comment. What would be your overall answer to this prompt ?
@@toktoday7978 Im using an MRI scan of my knee (I tore my ACL) as one of my objects. How do you think I could link it to the prompt?
Ouch ! You could use the object as something along the lines of "I didn't know that I had an ACL until I experienced tearing it" - this shows that tangible, first hand experiences, are required to produced knowledge that goes beyond the rational hypothetical.
Sir, I choosed Natural sciences and Mathematics as AOK's. I will include the events that mathematical findings contradict in the physical world. Do you think it is a good perspective?
Using mathematical findings that 'contradict' physical world findings sounds like a really interesting, and viable, way of exploring anomalies. Just remember to retain focus on the question - are we too quick to dismiss anomalies ?
I am thinking of using the theatre of the absurd as an example in the area of art and Shakespeare's theatre as a counterclaim. Do you think it's a good idea?
I think that they're both viable examples to illustrate a claim, and an evaluation point. However, whether they're good examples really depends upon what your claim, and evaluation point. Thanks for the comment.
do you suggest incorporating the different ways of interpreting "belong" into the commentary and have each object represent a different definition of belonging to a certain community or rather choose one definition and do one object for one against and one maybe as you said?
Both approaches could work really well. I like the idea of using a different defiition for belonging for each object. Both ways are absolutely fine.
Hi I wrote 735 words does it deserve an E?
735 words of really high quality ToK reflection could get a high score. The number of words is very very loosely connected to the score awarded.
do prompt 3 pleasee
It's coming up really soon. I hope to have it published by Saturday afternoon (13th April). Thanks for the comment !
Hello Mr. Daniel. Thanks for the advice. Can I send you my TOK essay. Could you please give me some advice.
Absolutely, I'd be happy to have a look at it. Send it to Daniel@TokToday.com
Could you go against the theme? Such as there is some knowledge that should be gained on ethical grounds as the main idea behind one object?
Absolutely ! The idea that some knowledge should be sought on ethical grounds is one of the key ideas of the prompt - so yes, go for it !
Can you give me some object ideas. I am so overwhelmed right now.
My recommendation is to write 3 knowledge arguments that come from the prompt. Once you have 3 knowledge arguments it's easier to find objects that illustrate them (1 object per knowledge argument). If you still need help then please feel free to book a coaching session: toktoday.com/product/online-coaching-tok-essay-or-exhibition/
hi love your videos can you please do a video about prompt 33 how is current knowledge shaped by its historical developmet
I hope to put together a video for Prompt #33 in the next couple of weeks, just got to finish the videos for Nov 24 essay titles first. Thanks for the comment!
hi i love your videos they are so helpful but can you please do another video about prompt 33 how current knowledge shaped by its historical development
I hope to put together a video for Prompt #33 in the next couple of weeks, just got to finish the videos for Nov 24 essay titles first. Thanks for the comment!