Monthly Archives: September 2019

ToK, Uncategorized

ALIS Test

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To what extent can you rely on these results to accurately predict your final IBDP grades?

I think that only using these results to determine our predicted grades would be slightly inaccurate as it is just one test on one day, which might not have gone as well as you hoped for. I also think that the design of the test might not be the best way to measure the knowledge of someone as it tests only certain skills under pressure.

What process do you think we should use to come up with your final predictions?

I believe a good amount of factors should be considered when coming up with our final predictions. These would include our end of year exams, our class assessments, and what level the teacher honestly thinks we are at.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of knowledge acquired in this way?

I particularly did not enjoy this test as much, especially because of the time limit. This is because I felt that I had the ability to complete the questions successfully, but due to the time limit I was more panicked and so ended up answering some questions without thinking through it properly.

To what extent is intelligence fixed?

I don’t think that intelligence is fixed because I believe that we can always expand our knowledge and learn more. However, there are several different types of intelligences and I believe that some might be harder to control than others.

ToK

The Scientific Method

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  1. Adaptation -> There is an interesting history of the concept of adaptation before Darwin’s research was brought about. In natural theology, adaption was “interpreted as the work of a deity and as evidence for the existence of God.” Several people had certain views of adaptation that “shadowed” others. Leibniz, a German mathematician, had believed that God had introduced “the best of all possible worlds.” However, Charles Darwin had falsified this and emphasised the “flaws and limitations” which existed in the world of different organisms.
  2. Animal Echolocation -> The term of echolocation was first invented by a zoologist named Donald Griffin, who worked to demonstrate this concept with bats in 1938. Griffin had pointed out that an Italian scientist, Spallanzani, had performed a series of experiments that showed that “when bats fly at night, they rely on some sense besides vision.” Later on, a Swiss physician, Jurine, repeated the experiments done by Spallanzani, and concluded that the other sense that bats used at night was hearing. The production of scientific knowledge in this case was done by the process of repetition as other scientists build upon past research done by others in order to prove this concept.

“Adaptation.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Aug. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptation#History.

“Animal Echolocation.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 July 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_echolocation#Early_research.

 

English Learner Profile (ELP)

Textual Representation

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Can texts ever be truly representative of groups of people?

I believe that different texts aim to represent certain groups of people, however they can never be truly accurate, as an artist would be using personal experiences to base their writing off of. Despite saying that, these representations do give an insight into a group of people, and help to inform readers about different ideas and beliefs. Yet, some texts do tend to exaggerate on certain aspects in order to appear more engaging. Whilst other texts might attempt to represent a group of people without much knowledge of them, and can therefore misrepresent them, and receive critiques.

Who gets to represent a group and who doesn’t? (Who gets to tell what?)

I believe that all artists should be able to express what they would like, however it must be done respectfully and with no harsh intention. Some artists might choose to represent those that they can relate to, which seems like the most logical way. However, artists might also choose to explore something new and express their ideas about it.

Is the act of representation problematic?

Many people represent others all the time, or at least attempt to. I feel that representation is important for those who would like to be expressed but do not know how. It can often be a way for people to come together and be seen as a group and a community. I think that representation can become problematic when it is taken to the extreme, as in it is used as a way to mock others or to make harsh generalisations of others.

Academic

Maths and Me

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My name is Ria, and I just finished the IGCSE course for both Extended and Additional Maths. The add maths course was definitely one of my favourites as I learnt a lot and explored more complex topics in comparison to the extended course. I did have several challenges, however I managed to seek help and work diligently in order to be successful at the end. 

When I think of mathematics, I usually get feelings of anxiety but also excitement. I enjoy learning new mathematical concepts and problem solving, however I am aware that I always face challenges in this subject. I am enthusiastic about starting this course as we get to go further into depth and learn a whole lot more than IGCSE. However, this is a difficult course and I know that it takes me a while sometimes to understand certain topics, so this does make me slightly anxious. 

I would put myself middle-right on this continuum because I am usually an independent worker who likes to problem solve and figure things out by myself. However, in maths, I find that I understand concepts more clearly, when it is explained by others who are more comfortable in this subject. They tend to have several ways of problem solving which I find very helpful. 

In the past, I have usually gone through example answers to questions in order to see how they have worked out that specific question, so that I could apply it to other questions. However most of the time I usually go to other peers or my teacher for help, so that they can explain the question in a clear way. 

My biggest strengths in learning mathematics would be, to be diligent, curious, and to be an inquirer. In this subject, I find myself working with others all the time, and also being interested in what we are learning. This all helps me to get a clear understanding of what we are learning. 

One of my areas of focus for the beginning of maths this year, would be to stay resilient. I am aware that the concepts in this subject are only going to get more challenging, so it is important that I stay persistent with my learning and keep on asking questions in order to improve the level of my learning.