Did you know that …

Dear ToKers,

Given that our most recent guest speaker revealed some of our need for (Ahem…cough…shall I say to be more well informed about current events) awareness of international events, I want us to play a game that I am calling “Did you know that…?”

In this game, the rules are simple:

1) Find a current event of international importance

2) explain how this event relates to our study of ethics as an area of knowledge

3) Do NOT duplicate events; in other words, you must read what others have posted prior to posting your current event. If someone else has ‘your’ event, then you must continue researching.

4) Begin your post with the phrase…”Did you know that …” (Be sure to embed the link to the article you are referring to in your post)

Bonus) discussion of ‘ways of knowing’

Suggested online news agencies: RT, PBS, NPR, Al Jazeera, BBC, CNN, Democracy Now, Bill Moyers, Tavis Smiley, and Comedy Central.

Due: Monday, 6 January, 12:01 a.m.

Ethics Case Studies

Check out Ethics by Chris Coey http://flip.it/5bHG5

1. Peruse from the list of articles. Which topic speaks to you?

2. Read the article.

3. What is the ethical dilemma or ethical issue at stake here? Which ethical system should we use to “know” how to behave or react?

4. Post your comments. How does your sense of ethics inform you and shape how you make meaning?

Educational Learning Theories

Hey thinkers:

This week we are considering studying human beings. Yeah that’s us!

Let’s think about which learning theories we see your teachers applying to their lessons and activities.

Also, which of these learning approaches seem to work best for you? Collaborative Learning? Inquiry Based Learning? Interdisciplinary Learning?

1. Which learning theories are you seeing your teachers apply? Which approach to teaching seems most effective for you?

2. Also, you can use this learning style quiz by Edutopia. How accurate are these results with what you know about yourself? What kind of learner are you?

3. Emotional intelligence is a concept that values and validates our ability to use emotions as a way of knowing. In your own words, what is ’emotional intelligence’? To what extent do you possess emotional intelligence? How can a greater knowledge of your emotions actually make you more knowledgeable? Take this emotional intelligence quiz to determine your emotional intelligence.

 

Metaphors We Live By and Metaphors in Science

Were you aware of how often we paint mental pictures with our figures of speech? It happens just as regularly as the moon chases the sun. You just can’t seem to escape from them.

1. Read and consider these two articles Metaphors We Live By and In Defense of Metaphors in Science. If you are having trouble viewing the second document, click on this link to a word document, In Defense of Metaphors in Science. Then develop a comment and post on this web site.

2. Argue both for and against using metaphors in our language. What are the strengths and the weaknesses of such expressions? What knowledge questions emerge from this discussion?

Bonus: Give an example of a metaphor in science.  Then think of a new metaphor for the concept. How does changing the metaphor change how with think? Example: “The Big Bang” could instead be “The Big Squeeze”

What does science hope to achieve?

Welcome IB juniors! If you are a senior receiving this email, consider yourself lucky that I haven’t deleted your subscription! All of you, welcome! Let’s consider these questions as we study the natural sciences:

1. What does science hope to achieve?

2. How do we distinguish science from other academic disciplines?

3. Which of the ‘ways of knowing’–emotion, language, reason, sense perception, imagination, faith, memory, intuition– seem best suited to science? Argue for at least three of the ways of knowing and give reasons and examples.

4. Base your answers to these questions on your observations, experiences, and readings–including “How To Think Like A Scientist,” “How Science Works,” and “The Nature of Science,” which can be found on the side bar of this website under the topic heading, “Natural Science.”

5. Return to this website on Friday and comment (discuss) on at least three of your classmates posts.

May 2014 ToK Prescribed Titles

Dear Diploma Candidates,

The May 2014 ToK titles have been released. I suggest working on your ToK essay soon before you have all of your time consumed.

ToK Prescribed Titles May 2014

Check with Ms. Bell about the due dates. For my part, I can read and comment on one draft of your paper, so I suggest you workshop this paper prior to sending it to me.  Remember, ‘the map is not the territory!’

Kind Regards,

Mr. Coey

ToK 2013 Essay Schedule

As we’ve discussed, IB has recently decided to delay providing essay “prompts” until September 1st. The essay you write this year will not be sent to IB, but will still count as half of your semester grade in this class. The process we go through will be invaluable for those of you who are continuing in the IB Diploma process and whom will be required to write an essay in the fall. Those of you not in going for a Diploma will not have to write a second essay.

 

Here is the schedule for our TOK “practice” essay:

 

Week of May 13th:

 

Monday:

 

Review schedule

 

Review “”IB Theory of Knowledge Essay Writing Guide” (here is a another link to it)

 

Review “Six Steps to a Really Good Theory of Knowledge Essay” and Six steps to writing a good TOK essay:A Student Guide.

Review “Writing a ToK Essay by Van de Lagemaat”

Write a total of twelve things you learn that might assist you write your essay.

 

Tuesday:

 

Review the potential essay “titles” that can be found here. You should pick two, just in case we review sample essays responding to one of them.(NOTE: Diploma Candidates can only choose from the ones in May, 2013 — those are the same choices being offered to Mr. Ferlazzo’s class. Non-Diploma candidates can pick any one other than the prompts used by the student sample essays below)

 

May, 2013

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011-12

 

2010-11

 

2009 – 10

 

2006-07

 

Wednesday:

 

First, here are two potential outlines for you to use to prepare your essay. Please pick the one that looks the best and print it out (you may also print out both if you would like).

 

TOK ESSAY OUTLINE NUMBER ONE

 

TOK ESSAY OUTLINE NUMBER TWO

 

You must use one of these forms to guide the outline to both your practice essay and your final essay. You do not necessarily have to actually fill out the form, but you must use it as a guide. Your practice essay outline will be due two weeks from the day we complete the introduction to the essay unit.

 

Second, look at this Planning Sheet and, if you decide it can be helpful, please print it out.

 

Third, look at these four TOK essays written by former students. Write down five things you notice about each.

 

Essay 1

 

Essay 2

 

Essay 3

 

Essay 4

 

Also note:

 

* How many Ways of Knowing are discussed and what were they?

 

* How many Areas of Knowledge are discussed and what were they?

 

* How many explicit textbook connections did you find and what were they?

 

* How many personal examples were used and what were they?

 

* How many non-personal examples were used and what were they?

 

* How many “stories” were used and what were they?

 

Thursday:

 

Go to this TOK blog and download and print-out Six steps to a ToK essay 2. Review it.

 

Review this preparation sheet. Write down what you think are the five most important points and why you think they’re important.

 

Friday:

 

This will be a “catch-up” day if we are running behind schedule.

 

Week of May 20th:

 

Your outline is due on Friday of this week.

 

Monday:

 

We will review A, B, and C essays, including one titled ““Are reason and emotion equally necessary in justifying moral decisions?”

 

What differences do you notice between the A, B, and C essays; What can you apply to your own essay?

 

Tuesday:

 

Work on outline

 

Wednesday:

 

TOK research as described previously.

 

Thursday:

 

Work on outline

 

Friday:

 

Essay outline is due. Review these notes from last year prior to turning in your outline.

 

Week of May 27th

 

The first draft of your essay is due on Monday of this week. You will have all week to work on it. Email it to me.

 

 

 

Your final version is due on June 3rd. Email it to me.

Crocker Art Museum Field Trip Photos