Student 16

Object 1: Traditional Japanese Photo Book

This photo book contains two photos that were taken of me as a child in Japan in 2010. These photos represent a very important part of a person’s childhood in Japanese culture where pictures are taken of children wearing ceremonial and traditional clothing. Known as Shichi-Go-San, this Japanese custom involves children at the ages 3 and 7 for girls, and 5 for boys, to dress in traditional clothing and visit shrines to pray for prosperity and growth.

This photo book is particularly interesting for the exhibition because it is an example and portrays the relationship between knowledge and personal experience. Many other cultures, communities, and ethnicities have various knowledge of customs that other people are not aware of. This different interpretation of these customs by other people is due to the lack of experience or awareness of these traditions. In this example, I obtained this knowledge because of my cultural connection and experience with Japanese traditions, having partaken in the Shichi-Go-San custom. Therefore, it is shown that the amount of knowledge that a person has can be influenced by their personal experiences.

Therefore, this photo book is included in the exhibition because it is an example of the establishment of the relationship between personal experience and knowledge. This object relates to the area of knowledge of human sciences because it incorporates the perspective of different cultures. From these various cultural differences in perspectives and experiences, people view and interpret and acquire knowledge differently. I have included this object in the exhibition because it represents my childhood experiences and how I have gained knowledge due to my personal experience with my culture.

Object 2: Oxford English dictionary

The dictionary is one of the most important tools one can use when learning a language and acts as a documentation of how language is used and changes over time. Particularly, this Oxford Advanced Learner’s dictionary contains a list of 65,000 definitions, 90,000 examples, and upwards of 12,000 idioms and phrases. This dictionary was created to teach people the definitions of common words, pronunciation, and even some grammar to share knowledge about the English language. Despite this, this dictionary cannot teach us everything.

This dictionary is particularly interesting for the exhibition because it is an example of how personal experiences are important in the acquisition of knowledge. Specifically involving the knowledge of a language, this dictionary excels at teaching the foundations and structures of English but lacks the knowledge of the use of slang and colloquial expressions. Especially with differences in dialect, it is extremely difficult to acquire knowledge of these forms of the language without any personal experience of being a native speaker. In this example, this dictionary has helped me to learn various academic and formal vocabulary. However, my knowledge of the vernacular language of English has been obtained through personal experiences of living in a native English-speaking country. Therefore, it is shown that the knowledge that a person possesses can be influenced through experiences.

This dictionary is included in this exhibition because it portrays an example of the relationship between knowledge and personal experience. This object connects to the area of knowledge of the human sciences because the cultural and historical understanding of a language that a native speaker acquires through experience is different from systematic learning from a dictionary. I have included this object in the exhibition because of how it represents the growth of my knowledge through the learning of vocabulary, but also the lack of knowledge that I have instead learned through experience.

Object 3: Pen

I received this pen as a gift from my father when graduating Sophomore year and starting IB. The pen is a simple instrument for writing or drawing, revolutionizing the portability of recording and sharing knowledge and ideas. Despite this, for a pen to be able to be effective, good penmanship is necessary to communicate the knowledge that is recorded. Throughout my life, I have received compliments regarding my penmanship, but it is due to my personal experience throughout my school career that I have achieved this skill.

This pen is interesting for the exhibition because it showcases an example of the relationship between personal experiences and knowledge. With a focus on the skill gained from the use of the pen, personal experiences utilizing the object create and mold the instinctual knowledge and skills needed to create good penmanship and effectively communicate knowledge. Without personal experiences of writing and practice over time, the skills for good penmanship cannot be formed. In this example, this pen showcases my personal experiences with practicing through writing assignments and assessments throughout my life ever since the age of 6 and the introduction to school. Therefore, it is shown that the knowledge of skills possessed has a relationship with personal experience and practice.

This pen is included in this exhibition because it portrays an example of the relationship between knowledge and personal experiences. Despite the differing perspectives of many people, the gaining skills can be seen to surpass the boundaries of cultural and historical perspectives and doesn’t change the acquisition of the knowledge of penmanship. Although defining “good penmanship” can change from person to person due to perspectives and cultures, making this object relate to the area of knowledge of human sciences. I have included this object in the exhibition because of how it represents my growth in the knowledge of penmanship through my personal experiences, as well as the process of experience and practice to acquire these skills.