The Exhibition

The TOK exhibition  (from IBO.org)

The TOK exhibition explores how TOK manifests in the world around us. For this reason it is strongly recommended that students base their exhibition on one of the TOK themes (either the core theme or one of the optional themes).

The TOK exhibition is an internal assessment component—it is marked by the teacher and is externally moderated by the IB. Internal assessment is an integral part of all DP courses. It enables students to demonstrate the application of their skills and knowledge, and to pursue their personal interests.

For this task, students are required to create an exhibition of three objects that connect to one of the 35 “IA prompts” provided in the “IA prompts” section of this guide. Students must select just one IA prompt on which to base their exhibition, and all three objects must be linked to the same IA prompt.

Students are required to create an exhibition comprising three objects, or images of objects, and an accompanying written commentary on each object. To enable their exhibition to be marked by their TOK teacher and for samples of student work to be submitted to the IB for moderation, students are required to produce a single file containing:

• a title clearly indicating their selected IA prompt

• images of their three objects

• a typed commentary on each object that identifies each object and its specific real-world context, justifies its inclusion in the exhibition and links to the IA prompt (maximum 950 words)

• appropriate citations and references.

Each student must create an individual exhibition. Group work may not be undertaken by students. Multiple students in the same TOK class are permitted to create exhibitions on the same IA prompt. However, students in the same class are not permitted to use any of the same objects.

The TOK exhibition task has been explicitly designed to be completed during the first year of the DP. To support DP students, it is important that schools have a clear overall schedule of internal deadlines for the completion of the internal assessment tasks for the different subjects. Within this schedule, teachers are strongly encouraged to complete the TOK exhibition in the first year of the programme.

1. What counts as knowledge?

2. Are some types of knowledge more useful than others?

3. What features of knowledge have an impact on its reliability?

4. On what grounds might we doubt a claim?

5. What counts as good evidence for a claim?

6. How does the way that we organize or classify knowledge affect what we know?

7. What are the implications of having, or not having, knowledge?

8. To what extent is certainty attainable?

9. Are some types of knowledge less open to interpretation than others?

10. What challenges are raised by the dissemination and/or communication of knowledge?

11. Can new knowledge change established values or beliefs?

12. Is bias inevitable in the production of knowledge?

13. How can we know that current knowledge is an improvement upon past knowledge?

14. Does some knowledge belong only to particular communities of knowers?

15. What constraints are there on the pursuit of knowledge?

16. Should some knowledge not be sought on ethical grounds?

17. Why do we seek knowledge?

18. Are some things unknowable?

19. What counts as a good justification for a claim?

20. What is the relationship between personal experience and knowledge?

21. What is the relationship between knowledge and culture?

22. What role do experts play in influencing our consumption or acquisition of knowledge?

23. How important are material tools in the production or acquisition of knowledge?

24. How might the context in which knowledge is presented influence whether it is accepted or rejected?

25. How can we distinguish between knowledge, belief and opinion?

26. Does our knowledge depend on our interactions with other knowers?

27. Does all knowledge impose ethical obligations on those who know it?

28. To what extent is objectivity possible in the production or acquisition of knowledge?

29. Who owns knowledge?

30. What role does imagination play in producing knowledge about the world?

31. How can we judge when evidence is adequate?

32. What makes a good explanation?

33. How is current knowledge shaped by its historical development?

34. In what ways do our values affect our acquisition of knowledge?

35. In what ways do values affect the production of knowledge?

• Choose objects that are specific.  For example, not just a tea kettle, but the tea kettle that you use at home that was a gift from your grandmother.

• You should be able to state the real world application of the object and facts about the object- when was it invented/written/created and by whom?  Where is it in the world right now?  Do you have a personal connection to it?  If so, state what the connection is. 

• You should be able to tie specific knowledge to the object.  What specific knowledge relates to the object and how does this relate to your prompt?

• Avoid fictional objects or objects that represent fictional stories.  It is difficult to tie specific real world knowledge and applications to fictional stories.  

• You cannot use your smartphone as one of your objects.

• If you can tie your object to one of our themes, it may be easier to write about.  Can you find an object that is appropriate for your prompts that could be discussed in reference to:

  • Knowledge and the Knower

  • Knowledge and Technology'

  • Knowledge and Language

Having trouble thinking of objects?  See the button above for Exhibition Object Resources.  

An introduction is not required, but in most cases it will aid the reader in understand how you intend to address the prompt.  

• Start with stating your prompt.  "The prompt I have chosen for this exhibition is....."

• Define any important terms in the prompt and be sure to cite the sources for your definitions.  

• This is your chance to show that you can use TOK terminology!  

• You might explain why it is an interesting question to explore, what your first thoughts on the prompt are or why it’s more complicated than it might seem at first.

• Your introduction should demonstrate your interpretation of the prompt or how you intend to address the prompt.  

• If your objects/commentaries will fall under one or more of our themes (Knowledge and the Knower, Knowledge and Technology, or Knowledge and Language) you can mention the themes in the introduction.

• You may want to go back and edit your introduction after you finish all three commentaries so that you can better tailor your introduction to your specific exhibition.   And, check to see if you actually accomplished what you said you would!  If not, do some rewriting.  

• Suggested word count for the introduction:  75 - 130 words

• Center your object on the page. 

• Your object should be large enough to be easily viewed- around ¼ of the page in size

• Your label should be directly under the image of object. 

•  Label should be in format:   Figure 1:  Title of object : citation. 

  • If you took the photo- include 'photo by student' and file type (jpeg, pdf, etc.)

  • If you found the image online, include a link under your label.

• Start by stating what your object is and its real world application.   

  • Your objects should be specific- not just a tea kettle, but the tea kettle you use at your house that was a gift from your grandmother.

• State the specific knowledge that is related to each object and your prompt.  

• Include very clear links between the object and the prompt question. Make sure these links are well-explained.

• Provide evidence for why each object should be included.  If your commentary for an object does not include research, statistics, or cited sources, then it is probably opinion and the highest it can score will be satisfactory.  

•  Write for a global audience.   Assume your reader is from another country and could be any age.

• Avoid using broad generalizations...."This was an important event for the entire world..."  

• Avoid using the word 'prove' in any format.  Use words like:  suggests, provides evidence that, supports.

• Close each commentary with a direct reference to the prompt, using the words found in the prompt.  

• Suggested commentary length for each object: 225- 300 words

You do not have to have a conclusion, but if you have not reached your 950 word limit and have enough words left, a conclusion can help tie together your exhibition and reinforce your "answer" to the prompt.  

• Summarize and very briefly synthesize what your 3 objects have shown is the answer (or are the answers) to your prompt question. 

• Use your object to comment on the Prompt question and to talk about how Theory of Knowledge manifests in the world around us.

                         (adapted from ibmastery.com)

• Use internal citations to show where your sources were referenced in your exhibition. 

• Internal citations and bibliography do not count in your total word count.  The maximum word count is 950.

• You may use footnotes instead of internal citations if you prefer.

• If you cite no sources, your exhibition is unlikely to score well.  You need to use research or statistics to provide evidence for your claim.

• Your bibliography should include all of the sources that you cited in your exhibition as well as the sources for images (if not a photo taken by the student).

• Your bibliography should be in alphabetical order (unless in footnote form).  Each entry should be single spaced with a double space between entries.  

• You can use either MLA or APA format.  See the buttons above for citing sources and objects.  

1.  Open a new Google Doc.

2. Copy and paste all components of your Exhibition in this new clean document.   This is the copy that we will submit to IB!   

Make sure you have no identifying information!  No name! 

3. Save the exhibition as:  Last name_first name_Exhibition.

4. Download your final exhibition as a PDF file.  

5. Upload your PDF to ManageBac.  

a.  Log in to ManageBac.

b.  Select TOK Exhibition

c.  Click Edit Prompt 

d.  Enter your prompt and word count,

e.  Select Mrs. Snodgrass or Mr. Turner as your teacher.  

d.  Enter your upload your exhibition to the Document section. (Not the journal section!)