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TOK is Mainly About Opinions
MYTH!
One of the popular TOK myths is that this course revolves solely around personal opinions. The course is far more than just a platform for subjective viewpoints it’s an in-depth examination of the nature of knowledge itself.
There Are Right and Wrong Answers in TOK
MYTH! Trick question!
TOK is not about right and wrong - or about arriving at a single “correct’ answer”; instead, it’s a platform for researching various perspectives and understanding the complexity of knowledge.
TOK is All Theory, No Practical Application
MYTH! this view overlooks the profound real-world applications of this course.
TOK is a critical thinking course
FACT!
One of the most valuable skills honed in TOK is critical thinking. TOK helps students analyze and interpret knowledge & meida messages critically. It teaches them to question the source and context of information
TOK is highly relevant to success in other subjects
FACT! TOK learning is deeply interconnected with other subjects in the IB curriculum, offering a unique lens through which students can view and understand their entire education. In subjects like Biology or Physics, TOK encourages students to question the nature of scientific knowledge. In subjects like History or Geography, TOK prompts students to consider the interpretation of historical events or geographical data and so on
TOK Tecahing is Extremely Difficult
MYTH! - Many IB educators believe this subject is overly complex and confusing. This misconception stems more from unfamiliarity with the expectations of the work than from its inherent difficulty.
TOK is like a course in philosophy
MYTH! TOK is a critical thinking course- a strong background in philosophy is not a prerequisite for teaching TOK. Concepts from philosophy may be present but they do not require the complexity or familiarity as in IB pholosophy
It's impossible to integrate TOK into regular subject lessons
MYTH! Teachers can easily add TOK elements by asking students to "put their TOK hat on," which does not need to be time-consuming and can enhance their understanding of the subject. It's about incorporating questions about knowledge construction and biases into existing lessons. Our main goal of today's session
TOK is required to pass the IB Diploma
FACT! An "E" grade in TOK will prevent a student from receiving their diploma, showing it is a crucial and integral part of the IB program that must be taken seriously.
The TOK course lacks structure
MYTH! TOK has a clear structure with specific aims and defined assessment components: an internal exhibition and an external essay, which are graded on specific criteria.