Using TOK to make meaningful connections between students and curriculum Christian Chiarenza Tuesday, 12 April 2011
My involvement in TOK • Currently working on the TOK Curriculum Review for the 2015 Guide • WSL for TOK • Delivery and development of the TOK Across the Curriculum in-school workshop • 10 years teaching TOK working in 3 different IB regions.
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My observations in India • 4 years as DP Coordinator and worked with many schools as advisor and via networks. • Challenges of growth of IB in India: – IB expectations differ from previous systems – TOK new and challenging concept-often leading to academic dishonesty to cope.
• Could focus on TOK be a solution to both of these issues? Tuesday, 12 April 2011
TOK: Myth and Reality • TOK is not a 7th subject – TOK is a skill development course designed as enrichment for the students entire DP Curriculum • Is not worth 1.5 points – The student who does well in TOK will achieve better success throughout the Diploma. If this results in one extra point per subject, then TOK is worth 7.5 points • TOK across the curriculum is not asking teachers to add something extra to their course – TOK Across the Curriculum does ask teachers to recognize all aspects of assessment, in particular the development of higher order cognitive skills Page 4 Tuesday, 12 April 2011
IB STATISTICS 2009 & 2010
TOK Comparison
Overall Points
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38+ 32-
33-37
010 Diploma scores of students with an A in TOK Source: IB Statistical Informa
23% 52% 26%
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Connections to the Curriculum From the Grade Descriptors: Level 7 Requires • Group One: – Persuasive arguments and Language adapted to tasks • Group Two: – Understanding of subtleties of language and other cultures • Group Three: – Analyze, Evaluate, Synthesize, and demonstrate awareness of alternative points of view Page 7
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Connections to the Curriculum • Group Four: – Selects and applies concepts. Constructs detailed explanations and shows insight or originality • Group Five: – Ability to integrate knowledge, understanding and skills • Group Six: – Understanding of artistic intention and development of ideas. Page 8
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Connections to the student • TOK essay focuses on a student’s personal perspective and engagement with content.
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Connections to the world • TOK Presentation focuses on a student’s ability to use TOK content to gain a better understanding of real-life issues
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Skill development cycle
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How does a teacher maximize TOK in their subject? • Use TOK vocabulary and know what it means – Students will connect what they learn in TOK to subjects more easily if teachers use the same language. • Encourage TOK discussions in class – Students will begin the discussion in your class and develop the idea in TOK Page 12
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How does a teacher maximize TOK in their subject? • Horizontal Planning – TOK is about crossing curriculums, so the more you connect your curriculum to other subjects, the more students will be able to develop the skills of synthesis, evaluation and analysis. • Read the TOK Guide – Strong TOK lessons can be designed from reading the questions in the guide and basing subject lessons around those that most connect to your subject curriculum. Page 13
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Activity
Make a lesson plan for your subject based on inquiry questions from the TOK Guide Tuesday, 12 April 2011
From the TOK Guide • Is it possible for an artwork to be immoral? (1 and 6)
• What is lost in translation from one culture to another? (2) • Are all versions of history equally acceptable? (3) • Is science, or ought it be, value free? (4) • Is Mathematics invented or discovered? (5) Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Thank you! Q&A
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