Theory of Knowledge (TOK) –
How We Teach Thinking in the IB Programme

At the International High School, Kolegium Europejskie, with the IB programme, education is not limited to the transmission of knowledge alone. Its core purpose is to develop independent, critical, and responsible thinking. One of the key elements that fulfils this mission is the subject Theory of Knowledge (TOK) – a cornerstone of the International Baccalaureate philosophy.

What Is TOK and Why Is It So Important?

Theory of Knowledge is a unique subject within the IB programme that encourages students to reflect on the very nature of knowledge itself. Students do not only learn what they know, but above all how knowledge is created, who produces it, what its limitations are, and how it influences our decisions and our perception of the world.

TOK asks fundamental questions, such as:

• How do we know that something is true?

• What role do language, emotions, culture, or power play in the process of knowing?

• Is scientific knowledge different from historical or artistic knowledge?

• Where is the boundary between fact and interpretation?

Through this process, students develop key 21st-century skills: critical thinking, the ability to construct and evaluate arguments, openness to multiple perspectives, and a conscious, responsible approach to navigating today’s information-rich world.

The TOK Exhibition – Knowledge in Practice

Recently, our school hosted a TOK Exhibition, showcasing student projects that form one of the key assessment components of the IB programme. Students presented projects demonstrating how abstract questions about knowledge directly relate to real-world issues – from science and technology to media, politics, and everyday decisions and beliefs.

The exhibition was not only a culmination of students’ work, but also a space for dialogue, reflection, and the exchange of ideas – perfectly aligned with the spirit of TOK.

On the Value of TOK: A Conversation with Dr Paweł Konieczny

The importance of the subject and project-based work is explained by Dr Paweł Konieczny – a historian, Theory of Knowledge teacher, and an enthusiast of working with young people, modern teaching methods, and effective learning techniques.

1. What is the most important element of the teaching process in TOK classes?

Dr Paweł Konieczny:
The key aspect is discussion during lessons. It gives students regular opportunities to develop critical and reflective thinking as well as communication skills. Particularly important is analysing arguments, recognising and evaluating different perspectives, and questioning assumptions about knowledge.

2. What does working on the TOK Exhibition project give students?

Dr Paweł Konieczny:
The exhibition project shows that the issues discussed in TOK classes have a direct connection to real-life situations and everyday challenges.

3. What is the essence of the TOK subject?

Dr Paweł Konieczny:
Theory of Knowledge focuses on knowledge – its nature, how it is created, transmitted, and applied. It is a discussion-based subject that allows students to analyse epistemological problems in the context of themes such as language or politics, as well as within specific areas of knowledge, including the natural sciences, history, and mathematics.

Although TOK can sometimes seem abstract, the competencies students gain are highly practical. They help students recognise manipulation and bias, understand the limitations of creating and communicating knowledge, and at the same time appreciate the value of subjective perspectives.

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Student Voices – The Video Essays

We invite you to watch a video essay in which students talk about their projects presented at the TOK Exhibition and reflect on how working on them has influenced their thinking and their perception of the world.

👉 https://lnkd.in/d5N8hM4f

We would like to sincerely thank all students for their engagement, intellectual courage, and willingness to share their experiences.

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Photo Gallery from the TOK Exhibition