TOK & AI Lesson 1

CHATGPT &
THE TOK
COURSE
I can use ChatGPT to help me begin my exploration of the
theory of knowledge course
STARTER
Individual - Write down your thoughts on
ChatGPT and AI chatbots in general.

For example, do you use them regularly? Do

you think they provide us with accurate
knowledge about the world? Do they
encourage cheating? Should their use be
encouraged in schools and universities - or
banned? Why have they made such an impact
on society? Can they replace teachers?
DEVELOPING YOUR
IDEAS
Table groups - Read this short blog post about the use of
ChatGPT in schools. On your tables, decide:

● Which of the benefits listed is the most significant?

● Which of the drawbacks is the most serious?
● Do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks?
● Who do you think should decide on how ChatGPT is used
within schools - students, teachers, parents, or outside
authorities (eg government, local education authority, the
examination board, etc) - and why?
THE IB ON CHATGPT AND AI TECHNOLOGY
“We should not think of this extraordinary new technology as a
threat. Like spell-checkers, translation software, and
calculators, we must accept that it is going to become part of
our everyday lives, and so we must adapt and transform
education so students can use these new AI tools ethically and
effectively.”
Matthew Glanville, Head of Assessment Principles and Practice at the IB

Read the rest of his statement here. Do you agree with the IB’s
position on ChatGPT? Why do you think use of AI technology is of
particular interest to us doing TOK?
USING CHATGPT TO EXPLORE
TOK
Pair, share - How would you answer this question: What is theory of knowledge, and why do we
study it? Discuss, and write down a brief answer.

Now use ChatGPT is create an answer to the question. You should get a response along the following
lines*:

1. Understanding the nature of knowledge

2. Evaluating and justifying beliefs
3. Enhancing critical thinking
4. Resolving epistemological problems
5. Promoting intellectual humility
6. Enhancing other disciplines

How helpful do you find this response? Does it help you understand TOK?
 What would improve this answer? Offer your
GOING suggestions…

BEYOND ● Placing the points in a real-world situation (eg

understanding the nature of knowledge within the subject

CHATGPT areas you study, being able to give real examples of

problems related to knowledge in politics, science, the arts,
etc.)

● Referring to the points within the context of your own life

(eg evaluating your critical thinking skills, recognizing the
limits of your own knowledge, etc.)

● Drawing on the ideas of key thinkers to clarify the points

(eg quoting thinkers on different belief systems and
philosophical positions, and how ideas from different
disciplines and fields can be used to understand each other,
etc.)
GROUP
WORK
● Download the Going beyond ChatGPT sheet (here). In a group
of three or four, choose one of the points that was given as part of
ChatGPT’s answer to the question about TOK.
● From either a) your own knowledge, b) a traditional search engine,
or c) by using ChatGPT, complete one of the six points by adding a
real-world situation to illustrate it, your own experiences, and the
ideas of a key thinker.
● Swap your answers with another group.
Can AI tools help
us to become more
effective critical
thinkers?
 Faculty members can explore the course in more depth via Exploring TOK, 12
Key Concept, and Investigating Issues padlets. These help you to take
ownership of TOK via hundreds of articles, podcasts, and videos, and provide
you with perfect examples to support the essay & exhibition.

We update the padlets EVERY month, so check back regularly for the very
latest media stories and unpacking suggestions!

EXPLORING TOK 12 KEY CONCEPT INVESTIGATING ISSUES

PADLETS
Access the 11 Exploring TOK
padlets via this page. Share them
with all members of your faculty
to encourage authentic critical
thinking within all your subject
classrooms!
PADLETS
Access the 11 Key Concept padlets
via this page. Non-TOK teachers
can also refer to the stories as a
way of developing students’
understanding of these essential
ideas about the world.
Access 150 major issues via a
diverse collection of media
sources on this page, and our
suggestions on how to link them to
TOK via the AOKs, themes, and
12 key concepts.