Campus News

What is TOK?
Why Does It Matter?

Often described as the most “abstract” yet most “authentic” course in the IB curriculum, Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is one of the core components of the IB Diploma Programme. Unlike traditional subjects, TOK does not require students to memorize formulas or historical facts. Instead, it challenges them to think critically about how we know what we know, and to explore the relationship between knowledge and the knower.

The course is structured around the core theme of “Knowledge and the Knower”, supported by five optional themes: knowledge and language, knowledge and technology, knowledge and religion, knowledge and politics, and knowledge and indigenous societies. Students examine these themes through the lens of five Areas of Knowledge: history, human sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, and the arts.

As part of their learning, students select one of 35 prescribed knowledge questions provided by the IB and conduct an in-depth exploration. They must then choose three real-world objects related to their question and justify the role of each object in their thinking. This process not only strengthens their reasoning and communication skills, but also helps them connect abstract ideas to real-life contexts.

The TOK journey culminates in two key assessments: the TOK Essay and the TOK Exhibition—both of which provide insight into the student’s personal intellectual exploration.

In the IB philosophy, education is not merely about delivering knowledge. It is about nurturing lifelong learners who can think, understand, and act with purpose.

In June 2025, ISA Wuhan hosted this year’s TOK Exhibition for Grade 11 students. More than just a course requirement, the exhibition became a powerful expression of how young people engage with knowledge, values, and the world around them.

An Exhibition That
Makes Thinking Visible

As a key component of the TOK course, the TOK Exhibition transforms abstract questions into visible, tangible explorations of thought. It allows students to externalize their thinking and showcase their personal engagement with knowledge.

Each student selects a knowledge question and uses three real-world objects as entry points to develop their reasoning and explore values, perspectives, and assumptions.

This year’s exhibition featured thought-provoking questions such as:

· What is the relationship between personal experience and knowledge?

· Is bias inevitable in the production of knowledge?

· Can new knowledge challenge established beliefs?

· Does some knowledge belong only to particular communities of knowers?

· Who owns knowledge?

· Should some knowledge not be sought on ethical grounds?

⋯

While these questions may sound philosophical, they are deeply rooted in the students’ own observations and lived experiences.

More Than Just Objects
— A Display of Thought

On the day of the exhibition, students stood by their displays, explaining their ideas directly to guests and visitors.

For example, in addressing the question “Does some knowledge belong only to particular communities of knowers?”, Audrey explored how meaning can be deeply shaped by cultural context. She shared the challenges of translating Su Shi’s classic poem “Prelude to Water Melody” into English—especially how the imagery of the moon, so strongly tied to longing and reunion in Chinese culture, often fails to evoke the same emotional resonance for non-Chinese readers.

She also introduced Nüshu, a unique writing system historically used by women in southern China, and questioned whether such knowledge can ever be fully understood outside of the cultural and gendered context in which it was created.

Her exhibition was both academic and emotional—rooted in linguistics, yet deeply connected to cultural identity.

From linguistic boundaries to cultural belonging, her project reminded us that knowledge is not always universally accessible; it is often deeply embedded in personal and social contexts. And just as that line of inquiry closes, the next project opens up a new question about knowledge’s ethical limits: When we are capable of obtaining certain knowledge, should we always pursue it?

Yifei Zou took on this difficult question—“Should some knowledge not be sought on ethical grounds?”—through three provocative objects: the case of the Thalidomide drug trials, photographs of animal testing, and selected pages from the graphic memoir Persepolis.

She shared a particularly personal reflection: her lifelong love for beagles. Upon learning that beagles are commonly used in laboratory experiments, she felt a deep sense of conflict and discomfort. That emotional tension became a gateway for deeper ethical reflection—should the pursuit of scientific knowledge come at the cost of another being’s suffering?

Through her project, we saw that TOK is not only about asking what knowledge is, but also how far we’re willing to go in acquiring it—and at what moral cost.

These displays weren’t just declarations of “what I know.” They were statements of: “This is why I understand the world the way I do.”

Of course, many other student projects were equally thought-provoking but could not all be featured here due to space. Topics ranged from “Is bias inevitable in the production of knowledge?” to “Can new knowledge change established beliefs?” and “Are some types of knowledge more useful than others?” Behind each exhibit were weeks of reflection, analysis, and revision—each one an honest attempt to engage with the world through the lens of TOK.

The Value of TOK
Goes Beyond the Classroom

TOK does not exist in isolation. Alongside CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) and the Extended Essay (EE), it forms one of the three core components of the IB Diploma Programme. This interdisciplinary structure reflects the IB’s broader educational philosophy: to help students build meaningful connections between areas of knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of the world through critical thinking.

Through this exhibition, we were once again reminded of what makes the IB curriculum truly distinctive:

· It doesn’t just teach students knowledge, but challenges them to reflect on what knowledge is.

· It doesn’t shy away from complexity or uncertainty, but encourages students to develop their own frameworks for judgment.

· It transforms learning from something confined to textbooks into something rooted in real life—and transforms students from passive recipients into active communicators.

These skills—arguably more than any specific subject knowledge—will accompany students much further in life.

The Summary

A heartfelt thank-you to every student who participated in this exhibition, and to all the teachers and parents who came with open minds—ready to listen, ask questions, and engage in discussion.

The TOK course encourages students to go beyond simply learning knowledge—it empowers them to become thinkers who understand how knowledge is formed, analyze perspectives, and appreciate diversity. By selecting meaningful questions, connecting real-world objects, and articulating their viewpoints, students demonstrated not only what they’ve learned, but how they converse with the world through knowledge.

This ability to question, reflect, and engage lies at the heart of the IB Learner Profile. The IB aims to nurture not just knowledgeable individuals, but also inquirers, thinkers, empathetic collaborators, and courageous explorers.

We are truly inspired by the intellectual sparks ignited through this exhibition—and we look forward to seeing more young thinkers at ISA Wuhan continue their journeys of exploration, with thought as their vessel and questions as their compass.