Welcome to the realms of creating knowledge....
You are Therefore I am...
For me the journey began; to search and quench thirst for understanding and knowledge some years ago and will continue always... How do we know what we know ? How do we decide what we need to know? What are ways in which we know? and what are areas in which what our knowledge is can be classified? These are some thoughts that will lead us into the deeper learning and inquiry and though we will be together for a very specific period. In terms of academic years , 2 years, or 24 months or 104 weeks! the journey actually continues... It is like commencement, induction to learning- life long.
The New revised course from 2015 is refreshing and interesting take for all of us to learn and grow!
The aims of the TOK course are for students to: make connections between a critical approach to the construction of knowledge, the academic disciplines and the wider world develop an awareness of how individuals and communities construct knowledge and how this is critically examined develop an interest in the diversity and richness of cultural perspectives and an awareness of personal and ideological assumptions critically reflect on their own beliefs and assumptions, leading to more thoughtful, responsible and purposeful lives understand that knowledge brings responsibility which leads to commitment and action. Further to these, it is expected that by the end of the TOK course, students will be able to: identify and analyse the various kinds of justifications used to support knowledge claims formulate, evaluate and attempt to answer knowledge questions examine how academic disciplines/areas of knowledge generate and shape knowledge understand the roles played by ways of knowing in the construction of shared and personal knowledge explore links between knowledge claims, knowledge questions, ways of knowing and areas of knowledge demonstrate an awareness and understanding of different perspectives and be able to relate these to one’s own perspective explore real-life/contemporary issues from a TOK perspective.
Exploring together the core component of IBDP - 'Theory of Knowledge' popularly known as ToK. It is our perspective with which we learn to 'see', we learn to 'evaluate' and we try and find answers to some essential questions.This is a journey wherein we will attempt to focus on what is YOUR answer to the questions that arise in your mind, that you see around yourself, in your family, in your society, neighbourhood and country. I think what is important in the entire process is the thought that goes behind these questions, reflecting about our answers and building on our own understanding.
Creating our own knowledge!.... and understanding the same- Power in Creating knowledge!!
How is TOK structured? ( ref :- www.ibo.org)
As a thoughtful and purposeful inquiry into different ways of knowing, and into different kinds of knowledge, TOK is composed almost entirely of questions. The most central of these is "How do we know?", while other questions include: What counts as evidence for X? How do we judge which is the best model of Y? What does theory Z mean in the real world? Through discussions of these and other questions, students gain greater awareness of their personal and ideological assumptions, as well as developing an appreciation of the diversity and richness of cultural perspectives.
Assessment of TOK
The TOK course is assessed through an oral presentation and a 1600 word essay. The presentation assesses the ability of the student to apply TOK thinking to a real-life situation, while the essay takes a more conceptual starting point. For example, the essay may ask students to discuss the claim that the methodologies used to produce knowledge depend on the use to which that knowledge will be used.
What is the significance of TOK?
TOK aims to make students aware of the interpretative nature of knowledge, including personal ideological biases – whether these biases are retained, revised or rejected. It offers students and their teachers the opportunity to: reflect critically on diverse ways of knowing and on areas of knowledge consider the role and nature of knowledge in their own culture, in the cultures of others and in the wider world. In addition, TOK prompts students to: be aware of themselves as thinkers, encouraging them to become more acquainted with the complexity of knowledge recognize the need to act responsibly in an increasingly interconnected but uncertain world. TOK also provides coherence for the student, by linking academic subject areas as well as transcending them. It therefore demonstrates the ways in which the student can apply their knowledge with greater awareness and credibility.
Why TOK? is a constant question I find myself answering when talking to prospective IBDP students and their parents. The argument it offer evolves around investment in critical, creative and evaluative thinking and benefits for learning (and assessment) across the curriculum.The investment in critical, creative and evaluative thinking is supported by claims of personal satisfaction by being an aware citizen and also the demands of the new economies. Thinking critically, synthesising new knowledge and skills, making judgments are an essential requirement of established professions which are constantly evolving and emerging ones taking advantage of structural changes in the world economy. ( from :- http://blogs.triplealearning.com)
Throughout this course we will use a variety of tools for course management and creation.
- Edmodo(recording grades / posting assignments )
- email (with school Google Account)
- Managebac
- Google Docs (for spreadsheets, forms, etc.)
- Prezi (presentation tool)
- TOK blogs (for creation and participation in a learning community)
- YouTube (for annotating, posting, and viewing videos)
- Themeefy (digital newspaper)
- TED ED (for lesson creation)
- Thinglink (hypermedia images)
Happy Reading and Reflecting together and Growing together.....
This is Shekhar - who would love to walk with you - on this path of exploring and unearthing the hidden.....
Do join EDMODO account for day to day activities and assignments.
http://www.edmodo.com/shekharhardikar
Twitter
https://twitter.com/shekharhardikar
Contact Me:
email:-
[email protected]
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अखण्डमण्डलाकारं व्याप्तं येन चराचरम् ।
तत्पदं दर्शितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥
akhaNDamaNDalaakaara.n vyaapta.n yena charaacharam
tatpada.n darshita.n yena tasmai shriigurave namaH
Salutation to the noble Guru,, who has made it possible to realise the state which pervades the entire cosmos, everything animate and inanimate.
तत्पदं दर्शितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥
akhaNDamaNDalaakaara.n vyaapta.n yena charaacharam
tatpada.n darshita.n yena tasmai shriigurave namaH
Salutation to the noble Guru,, who has made it possible to realise the state which pervades the entire cosmos, everything animate and inanimate.
"You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist."
Friedrich Nietzsche