ToK Exhibition Objects: The Complete Guide for 2023

This is the complete guide to TOK Exhibition objects.

We cover everything you need to know about this entity so that you can easily identify the most relevant objects (or images of objects) for your exhibition assignment.

Let’s get started.

Key Takeaways

  • We define an object as a product of knowledge as long as it’s not generic or symbolic.
  • A digital or physical entity can count as an object in TOK exhibition provided it exists in a particular time and place, it’s specific in kind, and it has a real-world context.
  • You can create an object yourself, but it cannot fit the exhibition project. The right set of objects must have already pre-existed because they include very specific real world context.

Would you rather get help with your ToK Exhibition instead of reading this entire guide? You can place your order here and one of our expert writers will help you get the project completed on time. We focus on IA prompt selection, object selection, and commentary writing.

ToK Exhibition IA Prompt and Objects

The Theory of Knowledge Exhibition project requires you to:

  • Choose one question from the 35 IA questions.
  • Select three objects to form the foundation of the project.
  • Link the exhibition to an optional or core theme.

Because the exhibition links to a non-thematic knowledge question, you must combine the three objects to show how the prompt shows the manifestation of ToK in the real world.

That’s why the assessment instrument emphasizes on the interconnection between the three objects and the IA prompt.

In What Order Should You Choose the Prompt and Objects?

One common concern about the objects and the prompt is the order of selection.

  • Should you pick objects first and interlink them to the IA prompt?
  • Or, should you choose an IA prompt first, identify your objects, and then link them together?

The answer is that it depends on your instructor’s intent.

Your teacher may:

  • Ask you to reflect on an object that you encountered in a piece of writing.
  • Use artefacts instead of audio-visual or text stimuli as knowledge question.
  • Include activities into the subject to encourage you to reflect on the interests of such artefacts.

In this case, you should first choose the ToK exhibition objects, reflect on them, and select a relevant IA prompt.

However, it more appropriate to choose an IA prompt first. Doing so allows you to observe the world around you so that you can choose relevant objects. Plus, you’ll find yourself digging deeper into a knowledge issue better than you would if you chose objects first.

Using the Objects to Unpack the Prompt

The assessment criteria require you to establish a concise connection between the selected question and the three objects.

Because you want to score an excellent, you must show the contribution that each object makes to the exhibition project.

Furthermore, your analysis of each object needs to have a highlight of the knowledge within knowledge question.

Methodology in Theory of Knowledge Exhibition

It’s important to understand that there’s no field to which Knowledge and Language, Knowledge and Knower, and Knowledge and Indigenous Societies apply in the exhibition.

Therefore, this assignment cannot have a methodology of field.

Teacher Support Material

According to the Teacher Support Material, you’re welcome to select objects linked to your personal interest. 

However, every object you choose must have a real-world context.

Also, you must base your exhibition project only on one theme. You can root it on the core theme or one of the optional themes in Theory of Knowledge.

TOK Exhibition Objects Rules

Your selected prompt will guide the selection of your objects. However, there are additional rules to observe if you must get this right, and they’re as follows:

  • You cannot use the objects that you’ve created yourself. Instead, your focus must be on objects that pre-exist.
  • The objects you choose cannot be generic or symbolic. They must have real-world content, with a strong link to the selected IA prompt.
  • An exhibition object can be digital. For example, a tweet by a famous figure, such as Donald Trump or Elon Musk, would count as an object.
  • You should reference the source of the object (or image of the object) in your exhibition project file.
  • The ToK exhibition is an independent project. IB makes it clear that your objects must be unique only to you. So unlike the ToK presentation project, you cannot hold group discussion with your classmates or members of your school to talk about your objects.
  • You can ask your teacher for guidance and get feedback that can help you identify the most suitable objects for the project.

Your subject guide even includes some examples of objects. It’s important to look at these if you’re still confused about object selection. Or you can hire our writing service and our team will help you get the project completed on time.

Also, we strongly recommend that you ask your teacher for access to “MyIB”. Here’s where you’ll find some exhibitions examples for further learning. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why Are ToK Exhibition Objects Important?

ToK exhibition objects are important because they are the means through which you can demonstrate how Theory of Knowledge manifests itself to the real world.

In fact, the Teacher Support Material encourages IB students to choose objects (or images of objects) to which they can relate. That means choosing an object to which you have a personal link based on a personal experience in or outside your classroom.

2. Must ToK Exhibition Objects Be Real?

Your objects must be real and pre-existent. Made up objects don’t exist in a particular time and space, and they cannot have a real-world context.

Sometimes, it’s not possible to present an actual object in a presentation setting. For example, you cannot bring an electron microscope or a church building to your classroom. In such a case, the image of an actual object should be enough for your presentation session.

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