Essential Understanding

When subject teachers help students understand the methods used to make knowledge in that subject they are embedding TOK thinking.

This element focuses on exploring the methods, tools and practices that we use to produce knowledge. This includes the building of conceptual frameworks, the establishing of traditions and practices, as well as the methodologies employed by formal disciplines. It also includes consideration of the cognitive and material tools that we have available to help us in the pursuit of knowledge, and of how these tools have changed as a result of technological developments.

Examples of knowledge questions relating to methods and tools include the following.

What assumptions underlie the methods of inquiry used in these themes/areas of knowledge?
Does what is seen to constitute “good evidence” vary from discipline to discipline and culture to culture?
How is knowledge produced and communicated in these themes/areas of knowledge?
How important are material tools in the production and acquisition of knowledge?

Important Note

Methods in TOK refer to the methods used by experts in the field to produce knowledge. These are NOT the methods used by teachers to teach the subject.

Exploring the reasons for methods

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Exploring Methods and Tools in your Subject

Evaluate the methods used within your subject discipline.
Ask students “Could we use another method?”
Ask students: "What are the strengths/limitations of this theory/graph/model?"
What counts as good evidence in your subject?
Discuss how technology impacts knowledge in your subject discipline.
Discuss methods used by experts to produce knowledge.
Discuss how experts ensure the reliability and certainty of knowledge produced.

Activities Related to Methods and Tools