TOK EXHIBITION Object 1: A Crowdsourced Weather Prediction App
- Theme: Knowledge and Technology
- Rationale: This app compiles weather predictions based on user submissions alongside official meteorological data. It exemplifies the intersection of shared and expert knowledge, prompting discussion on the grounds for doubting claims in the realm of technology-enhanced collective intelligence. Doubts may arise from questions about the reliability of crowd-sourced data, the expertise of contributors, and the algorithms that synthesize this information with scientific data. This scenario encourages students to explore the reliability of knowledge that blends traditional and innovative sources.
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TOK EXHIBITION Object 2: A Package of Herbal Medicine with Vague Health Claims
- Theme: Knowledge and Indigenous Societies
- Rationale: Herbal medicine, often rooted in indigenous knowledge and marketed with broad health claims, can serve as a basis for examining how the origins of knowledge and lack of empirical evidence might lead us to doubt its efficacy. This object encourages students to consider the validation of knowledge through scientific research versus traditional practices and how the absence of clear, evidence-based support can be a ground for doubt, especially when claims intersect with commercial interests.
TOK EXHIBITION Object 3: A Political Campaign Flyer Featuring Factually Inaccurate Statements
- Theme: Knowledge and Politics
- Rationale: The flyer, containing misleading or incorrect information, illustrates how political bias and the desire to influence public opinion can lead to the dissemination of dubious claims. Students can explore how the source of a claim, its intent, and the presence of logical fallacies or misinformation provide grounds for doubt. This discussion can extend to the importance of critical thinking and source evaluation in assessing the reliability of political claims.
TOK EXHIBITION Object 4: A User-Generated Content Platform (e.g., Wikipedia Page)
- Theme: Knowledge and Technology
- Rationale: Platforms like Wikipedia, where knowledge is collaboratively constructed and edited, present an interesting case for the evaluation of claims. Students can examine how the open-editing model, while democratizing information creation, may introduce inaccuracies or bias, serving as grounds for doubting claims. This object prompts discussion on the importance of editorial oversight, source citation, and the balance between accessibility and accuracy in digital knowledge repositories.
TOK EXHIBITION Object 5: A Documentary Film on a Controversial Subject
- Theme: Knowledge and Ethics
- Rationale: A documentary, especially one tackling controversial issues, can challenge viewers to question the reliability and bias of its claims. Students can explore how the filmmaker’s perspective, choice of evidence, and narrative technique might influence the presentation of information, leading viewers to doubt its objectivity. This object encourages a deeper understanding of the ethical considerations in knowledge presentation and the critical analysis of media as a source of information.
