Students begin their exhibition by selecting one IA prompt and three objects, or images of objects, that show how this question manifests in the world around us.
Students must select one IA prompt as the basis for their exhibition. All three objects must be linked to the same prompt.
To help them approach this task effectively, students are encouraged to root their exhibition in one of the TOK themes—either the core theme or one of the optional themes. This can help to provide an accessible starting point for students and can provide a focus to help students narrow down their choice of potential objects.
Within the teaching time allocated to undertaking this task, teachers should ensure that they include time to explain the requirements of the task and ensure that students are familiar with the assessment instrument.
Students should produce a single file containing their TOK exhibition. This must include:
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 each object’s inclusion in the exhibition and links to the IA prompt (maximum 950 words)
Text format should be size 12 font and double-spaced
appropriate citations and references.
Teachers are permitted to provide feedback on one draft of this work. They should provide oral or written advice on how the work could be improved, but should not edit the draft.
Once complete, this file is submitted to the TOK teacher to be marked. Samples of student work are then submitted to the IB for moderation.
Students must present their completed exhibitions to an audience., as in one of the following examples.
A class of TOK students could hold an exhibition within one of their regular TOK classes.
Two classes of TOK students in the same school, or different schools, could host exhibitions for each other.
A class of TOK students could host an exhibition for younger students in the school.
A school could host a TOK exhibition for parents and other members of the school community.
Students could display their TOK exhibitions in a “virtual exhibition” (by using an online virtual gallery space)
Note: This presentation of the exhibition does not form part of the formal assessment task