Applying The Scientific Method
Over the years I have found that if students have a good understanding of The Scientific Method in ToK it helps them in many ways across all Areas of Knowledge, and in both The Exhibition and The ToK Essay. The Scientific Method gives students an understanding of the tensions between reliability and validity of knowledge, and therefore more useful ways to discuss accuracy, reality, and even 'truth'.
Most crucially teaching the scientific method gives students key foundational knowledge for both AoK Natural Sciences and AoK Human Sciences (which saves precious teaching time). I recently started AoK The Natural Sciences with my DP1 ToK class, and therefore started by teaching The Scientific Method.
The Scientific Method Lesson.
I started with a simple card sort: Sort the cards into the correct order of the Scientific Method. Many students have already studied the scientific method, so this is just revision of previous knowledge.
The Card Sort Resource is included at the end of this blog.
Chalk & Talk !
I know that it's very naughty in our new constructionist age, but I do think that there's still a place for a bit of chalk n talk every now & then. So, I followed up the card sort activity with a quick run through of the Presentation linked here. We can look at this as an introduction to the main task...,
The Task
The task is designed to actively engage the students in applying the Scientific Method. I love using drama in the ToK classroom - I think that drama really brings the subject alive for students who either find ToK challenging, or tbh just don't see the point of it (if you have never had either of these groups of students you are fortunate). By using drama the students don't have to risk "getting things wrong" - it is merely a role that is "getting it wrong".
The task itself is fairly self explanatory, I ask the class to play the role of "Funding Committee" when they hear the presentations, this moves them from passive observers to active engagers.
The task sheet is included as a PDF at the end of this blog.
End thoughts
My approach to teaching ToK is directed more towards the students who find the subject difficult, or have little interest in the subject. This doesn't mean that the interested & engaged can't get a lot out of the lesson - I simply think that "a rising tide lifts all boats". As such I try to design lessons which maximise engagement, games and fun (despite this one having some chalk n talk in it). I really don't think that reading long articles, or watching TED videos is either a necessary nor optimal way to learn ToK. - I have used my "Drama + Games" approach for many years, and my students have always achieved excellent results...,
I hope that you found today's resources useful. If you have suggestions or requests for further topics / resources please don't hesitate to let me know.
Wishing you a great weekend,
Daniel,
Lisbon, Jan 2023
The Sorting Activity Resource is linked below, just print & cut out.
Scientific Method Sorting Activity