Senior School Presents -TOK BUZZ 2.0- Teacher’s Day Special 2021

Senior School Presents

TOK BUZZ 2.0 SEGIN (ε)

RUCHBAH (δ)

NAVI (Υ) CAPH (β)

ἐπιστήμη SCHEDAR (α)

δόξα

Given the enormous success of the first edition in April, we were determined to create something of the same scale, if not bigger. With that, we took on the task of integrating more perspectives and ideas about ToK, while maintaining a touch of relatability and entertainment for you.

With the occasion of Teacher’s Day at its core, we hope you enjoy the wide range of perspectives, activities, and role-reversals that we’ve tried to bring to you with this edition!

AR UM

ARUS

PANT I H

UN

THI K NA

MESSAGE FROM THE HEADS

Almost a month after our Independence Day mini-edition, we present to you ToK Buzz 2.0! Over the course of the summer of 2021, the ToK Buzz team has worked tirelessly to bring you our second edition.

01

TOK from the Director's Lens Ms. Sonya Ghandy Mehta

Scan the QR code above (or click on the link embedded in the code) to hear Ms. Sonya Ghandy Mehta, the School Director, talk about applying ToK concepts at work, movies related to ToK, and more!

02

Who was a mentor to you in your school days and what is your fondest memory of them?

As an avid sportsman during my school days, my primary mentor was Mr. Vasant Anchan. He coached me in football and hockey. He taught me everything I know about these two sports, from game strategy to on-field and sportsman-like conduct. He was always supportive, even when we lost. But, what sticks out in my memory was how he taught us to pick ourselves up when we did lose. He taught me how to pick myself up and learn from my mistakes.

- Mr. Dwayne Fernandes (Economics and ToK Facilitator)

My mentor in the school days was my school library. I have got many books as friends, and they are still in my house living with me.

- Mr. Guru Charan Kumar (Environmental Systems and Societies and ToK Facilitator)

For me, it’s my Dad. He always has been and still is my mentor. The best thing about him was that, while growing up, he put no pressure to achieve or become anything. It was always about just doing your best and not worrying about the outcome. It was okay to not win, get bad grades, or be in trouble because as my dad always said and still says, “it’s never the person but the act which is wrong.“ So, the act needs to be corrected but the child shouldn’t be punished.

- Ms. Agrima Gairola (Economics and ToK Facilitator)

03

What would you ask Dr. Radhakrishnan if he were still alive in the 21st century?

What would be your approach to teaching when/if your students have all the information easily available on the internet? Secondly, what are your thoughts on teaching, as a noble profession, in the 21st century?

- Ms. Nazneen Abbasi (Psychology and ToK Facilitator)

You once said, "teachers should be the best minds in the country."

What are your suggestions to lure young minds into the field of education when they have other lucrative fields to explore? With the recent development in the theory behind the spread of COVID 19 (gain of function and the accidental leak of modified SARS-2 virus), the question of morality towards scientists/politicians in conducting such experiments has resurfaced. How do you propose the modern educators/education system should adapt themselves in instilling moral values to the young generation for the greater good of humanity?

- Mr. Sriram Arumugam (Physics and ToK Facilitator) As a teacher in the 21st century, how does one explain the importance of tempering ambition with values and personal success with sacrifice for the greater good?

- Mr. Saurav Sinha (Dean of Residences & Student Enrichment, Language & Literature and ToK Facilitator) Dear Dr. Radhakrishnan, how will you evaluate the learning that is happening in the online and hybrid modes of teaching? Does our learning lead to more social interaction and cooperation or lack thereof?

- Mr. Jaydip Chaudhuri (Chemistry and ToK Facilitator)

04

TOK WORD E A B C M R S L IKHNTRE

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

VECEIDEN

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

PEROW

_ _ _ _ _

SEIPEVTRPEC

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

TULCUER

_ _ _ _ _ _

HRUTT

_ _ _ _ _

SEVLUA

_ _ _ _ _ _

TAYRNTICE

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

ISAB

_ _ _ _

IIYIATRNLGO

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

FINAL ANSWER: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ytilanigirO ,saiB ,ytniatreC ,seulaV ,hturT ,erutluC ,evitcepsreP ,rewoP ,ecnedivE ,reknihT

:srewsnA

elbaegdelwonK

:drow laniF

05

TOK EXHIBITION

Teachers Edition

MR. JAYDIP CHAUDHURI Prompt: Does knowledge vary across different areas of knowledge?

The

object

in

the

picture

is

often

called

the

‘magic

Indian

pot,’

which

I

first

witnessed in an exhibition of artefacts in Bangalore. A replica of the idea is found in the porcelain gallery of Shanxi, China. But, the knowledge connected to this magic pot is different for different observers.

If observed from the perspective of an artist, the lotus motif engraved on the pot shows eastern traditions, as in eastern traditions, lotus is considered as a holy flower

and

such

engravings

are

generally

found

in

most

Indian

subcontinental

artefacts and monuments. The semi-circular pattern in the motif also indicates a particular school of art that was developed when the western school of art fused with Indian ideas during the invasion of Alexander the Great.

But, in the eyes of scientists, it’s an object of scientific marvel. It can be observed that there is no opening to pour liquid into the pot. The pot is filled from the bottom and when kept upside down, no liquid comes out. The liquid inside can still be dispensed through the delivery nozzle, following a scientific principle. This is proof of the scientific and technological supremacy of ancient Indian artisans. Also, an exact

volume

of

liquid

can

be

stored

in

these

pots,

attesting

to

the

intricate

calculations done while crafting the pot.

But a historian and layman would be interested in the porcelain, the pot's glaze, the glazing materials, and how those materials created their own place in history via the silk route. So, this ancient Chinese/Indian artefact brings a plethora of knowledge with it, but that knowledge is perceived differently by people studying different areas of knowledge.

06

MS. FIONA ROZARIO Prompt: Why do we seek knowledge?

“As “As the the island island of of knowledge knowledge expands, expands, so so does does the the shoreline shoreline of of ignorance.” ignorance.” John John Wheeler.

Wheeler.

We We have have come come a a long long way way in in the the way way we we perceive perceive knowledge, knowledge, transitioning transitioning from from knowing knowing everything everything under under religious religious dogma dogma to to widening widening the the unknown unknown with with new new scientific scientific discoveries. discoveries.

Curiosity Curiosity is is an an inherent inherent trait trait in in humans; humans; the the more more one one feeds feeds their their curiosity, curiosity, the the hungrier hungrier the the mind mind gets gets and and vice vice versa. versa. Therefore, Therefore, II believe, believe, seeking seeking knowledge knowledge is is an an unending unending process, process, that that liberates liberates the the mind mind by by acknowledging acknowledging its its shortcomings. shortcomings. It It allows allows us us to to coordinate coordinate and and cooperate cooperate better better - the the essence essence of of human human survival, survival, maybe maybe even even keeping keeping us us happy happy in in the the long long run. run.

MS. SUMAN AGNIHOTRI Prompt: What counts as knowledge?

The The object object chosen chosen is is the the Big Big Bang Bang Theory, Theory, the the prevailing prevailing cosmological cosmological model model explaining explaining the the existence existence of of the the observable observable universe universe from from the the earliest earliest known known periods periods through through its its subsequent subsequent large-scale large-scale evolution evolution that that took took place place 14 14 million million years years ago. ago.

There There

have have

been been

numerous numerous

pieces pieces

of of

evidence evidence

explaining explaining

and and

justifying justifying

the the

expansion expansion of of the the universe universe that that deems deems the the theory theory to to be be true. true. Observations Observations and and subsequent subsequent analysis analysis of of the the data data collected collected have have confirmed confirmed the the theory theory so so far. far.

The The object object has has been been included included in in the the exhibition exhibition because because it it conforms conforms to to the the nature nature of of knowledge knowledge wherein wherein the the scientific scientific methods methods used used in in determining determining the the theory theory have have not not been been negated negated with with ongoing ongoing scientific scientific evolution, evolution, giving giving us us reason reason enough enough to to believe believe it. it.

07

TOK Word Search

Answer:

Words:

Moral

Rational

Methodical

Ethical

Logical

Artistic

Imaginative

Informed

Emotional

Judgemental

Analytical

Religious

Social

Knowledgeable

Skeptical

08

our in-house science state

How would you explain TOK through a Science Experiment?

There are two things: knowledge and meta-knowledge. Knowledge comes from various sources, including observation of the physical world, but this knowledge is of little use unless we understand the bigger picture behind it. For example, you know what grass, rabbit, fox, and soil are, but then if you observe, you will see that the grass grows on soil, rabbit eats grass, rabbits are hunted by foxes, and so on. However, this knowledge is of no use to humankind if we can’t perceive the future and predict its action and outcome. So, wisdom is to know that if you hunt foxes, then rabbits will eat all the grass and that if it rain, soil gets eroded and damaged.

This raises a fundamental question: why do we come to school in the era of technology? Google, after all, can answer all your queries. But simply knowing is of no use if we do not understand our unity as humans and harmony with nature.

The moment we break natural cycles and laws, life falls apart. Think of the nuclear arsenals we have accumulated and planted in various strategic places to kill each other, without thinking of the consequences. Think about how we have destroyed our ecosystem to place ourselves on top of everything. Think about how we run behind money and forget about our own well-being for material pleasures and then spend all that money to gain health. Think about how we know everything but still worry so much.

Jaydip Chaudhuri, IB Chemistry Facilitator.

09

our in-house science state

How would you explain TOK through a Science Experiment?

Life doesn’t run on accumulated knowledge but on its applications to make life around us better. Today, we have so many broken homes, human beings, and souls around us. But, at the same time, look at medical science - it is marvellous.

Knowledge, like money, is a good slave if you know how and why we have accumulated it and what to do with it. That is where meta-knowledge comes in.

Have you ever thought, if atoms are 99% empty space (as proposed by various atomic models), why do you and I look solid and not like the “hollow-man”? The purpose of education should be understanding the binding principles around us and the nature of their existence, not accumulating knowledge (in any classroom).

Life doesn’t operate in separate compartments like A) science and B) philosophy.

For me, TOK is a way of introspection. I can only change my way of looking at the world, my thinking, and my relationship and thus my actions. TOK thus shapes me to be a better human being with an open and receptive mind, one that is not overwhelmed by materialistic possessions.

Jaydip Chaudhuri, IB Chemistry Facilitator.

10

our in-house science state

How would you explain TOK through a Science Experiment?

‘"How do we know, what we know," the core essence of TOK, can be described seamlessly by the analogy of a science experiment. Science aims to acquire and analyse knowledge about the natural world. To produce knowledge about the natural world, scientists currently use the scientific method. The scientific method is a key feature of what makes this discipline so robust. The underlying methodology that binds all disciplines within the natural world together is so important that we use it to challenge and develop upon the knowledge we collectively acquire.

The procedure for initiating a scientific inquiry is a pattern followed by scholars and researchers worldwide. In this sense, each discipline within the natural sciences tweaks its methodology slightly to fit its precise purpose and scope.

Nevertheless, all disciplines of science broadly share an underlying scope, methodology, and purpose. Years worth of investigation and exploration have built the shared knowledge we consume during our lessons today. If we were to align the pattern of TOK and the procedure of scientific inquiry, we see many overlapping areas. The first step for both is always observation - identifying those elements in nature that make you ask ‘Why?’ and motivate you to transcend the boundaries of your pre-existing knowledge.

Within this method, evidence and justification play a very important Sheeba Kundu, role. Similar to TOK, each discipline within the natural sciences aims to IB Biology and produce or evaluate knowledge using ESS Facilitator. different areas of knowledge.

11

our in-house science state

How would you explain TOK through a Science Experiment?

Reason and observation through sense perception are very much key to the scientific method. To challenge pre-existing theories or to create new ones, an individual always relies on their previous knowledge. They use inductive reasoning to come up with a hypothesis, as we observe things around us and pick up patterns. From these patterns, we may form a hypothesis that explains what happens or even why things happen. In science, what we may call a hypothesis or an ‘educated guess’ is called prior knowledge in TOK. This prior knowledge has a great effect on our perception of facts. While it may inevitably lead to a bias, it is critical for shaping our investigation and carving out its trajectory. We learn to evaluate the validity of knowledge by verifying whether the principles of other disciplines or AOKs reason have been respected.

In a way, it is very difficult to offer ultimate proof of scientific knowledge solely based on experimentation, that is why many pre-existing scientific laws are challenged with fresher, more evolved scientific theories, making room for multiple perspectives and claims to co-exist. Thus, just like science, TOK entails a crucial aspect of challenging pre-existing knowledge and its sources to cause a paradigm shift in knowledge.

Sheeba Kundu, IB Biology and ESS Facilitator.

12

WHAT'S GOING IN TOK CLASSES? is

one

of

the

eight

Areas

of

Knowledge in ToK. It is a particularly unique area of knowledge, as history is, by nature, not present anymore, opening up many avenues

for

intellectual

avenues

include

what

debate.

events

These

count

as

history, how are these events verified, and can everything in the past by pure definition itself be considered as history, to name a

AREA OF KNOWLEDGE HISTORY

History

few. These approaches were explored in Ashwani sir’s in-depth classes on History as an Area of Knowledge, conducted in the first few weeks of DP 2. We explored the morality

of

history

and

the

validity

of

statements like “history is written by the victors.”

13

WHAT'S GOING IN TOK CLASSES? Being one of the eight areas of knowledge in TOK, art is one such area that is present in

every

aspect

of

our

lives.

Music,

performance art, drama, literature, dance,

AREA OF KNOWLEDGE ART

and film are some of the various forms of art that affect the nature of knowledge being produced, conveyed, and acquired.

The dynamic relationship that various art forms hold with acquiring knowledge was discussed during the lesson by Ms. Manjula Shenoi. For example, art may be present in the form of symbols or rituals, giving out knowledge community.

about Many

our other

culture forms

such

or as

music producing the knowledge of human emotion and self-expression were discussed as well.

14

WHAT'S GOING IN TOK CLASSES? conducted a formative to test what students have learned so far in TOK. The formats for the formative varied across classes, making this a reflection

activity

for

students

than

an

assessment. For example, one of the teachers split their class into groups of 3 and the groups were each given a guiding prompt to prepare us for upcoming TOK assessments. One of the prompts was, “to what extent do we need art technique or art history training in order to appreciate an artwork?” The group then used past and personal

TOK FORMATIVE BASED ON AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE

The week before DP2 looping backs, the school

examples, such as the Golden Ratio in Art, the influence of the Renaissance in modern art, and the imaginative aspects of art, to debate the prompt. The valuable feedback of teachers and peers gave the students an insight into the TOK assessments.

15

e n y a w d .

R S M E D N A FERN rax as D

MS . ILA PAN DEY as The ANC IEN T ON E

la u j n a M .

MS s shenoi a n a catwom

ma r a h S na o M . el s v r M a M in a t p a C as

MR . AKA SH DUT T as VEG ETA

16

A Y A J . s M s a A M R SHA TA A N A K Z MA

Ms. NAZNEEN ABBASI as HARLEY QUINN

Ms. suman agnihotri as black canary

MS. FION A ROZ ARI O as IND IAN A JON ES

Mr. guru ar um charan k ish as krr

Mr. ashwAni parmar as bane

17

Mr. Saurav Sinha as Flying Jatt

Ms. Vaidehi Sridharan as Professor McGonagal

Ms. Agrima Gairola as Padme

Mr. Jaydip ChaudHURI as Reed Richards Mr. Sriram Arumugam as The Atom

18 16

BOT OR NOT?

Identify which headline was written by a bot and which one was written by a human!

Hint: Don’t try and look this up! The ToK Buzz team has coded the headline generation model and the human headlines are all fake news headlines adapted from Snopes.com, so your general knowledge might be futile.

Elon Musk Randomly Insults Diplomacy

Elon Musk Tweets “I Miss You Ghislaine” in Acrostic Code

Trump Staff Rethink Tactics After Stumbles

Trump To Be Reinstated as President

Megalodon Stalks a Cruise Ship

Megalodon Throws a Groundhog Today

Giant Moon Calls Investigation

Giant Moon Blocks the Sun

Walmart Criticises FBI and Journalists

Walmart Sends Racist Emails to Customers

Answers: Refer to page 11

19

BOT OR NOT?

Identify which headline was written by a bot and which one was written by a human!

Internet Cancels Snow White

Internet Advises a Last Refugee

Magnets Stick to Arms After COVID19

Magnets Can Deconstruct a Pointed Structure

Octopus Trumps The Real Fear

Octopus Throws Soiled Shrimp at Handler

Hotel Haunted by Ghost

Hotel Guides Communist Parties

UFO Binds A River

UFO Found on the Shore

Answers: Refer to page 21

20

BOT OR NOT?

ANSWERS

section 1 BOT

HUMAN

BOT

HUMAN

HUMAN

BOT

BOT

HUMAN

BOT

HUMAN

section 2 HUMAN

BOT

HUMAN

BOT

BOT

HUMAN

HUMAN

BOT

BOT

HUMAN

21

O

TEACHERS IN CHARGE

U R

MR. GURU KUMAR & MS. VAIDEHI SRIDHARAN

TOK BUZZ HEADS

T E A M

ARUSHI PANT & UNNATHI U. KUMAR

DESIGN HEADS

DHHAIRYA SHARMA & SIYA MEHRA

22

CONTENT & EDITING HEADS

SANKALP KAPUR, RADHIKA ARORA, KRISH KUMAR

O U R

RAM GOYAL & NITYA KHIRWAR

CONTENT & EDITING TEAM

MAYANK GAHLAUT & ADHRIT RANJAN

OUTREACH HEADS

T E A M

SRIJAA CHATTERJEE & SARANYA GUPTA

23

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