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Capstone Portfolio Knowledge Web

Run the Capstone Portfolio Knowledge Web MicroSim Fullscreen
Edit in the vis-network Editor

About This MicroSim

A customizable network visualization allows students to build their own map of how course concepts connect, reinforcing the synthesizing function of the capstone and making their thinking visible. It acts as a digital brainstorming sandbox for linking essays, journals, objects, and specific Themes or Areas of Knowledge.

Lesson Plan

Grade Level

11-12 (IB TOK)

Duration

30-40 minutes (Extended Activity)

Prerequisites

  • Completion of the majority of the TOK syllabus.
  • Basic idea of what topics/objects the student wishes to use for their final Capstone (Exhibition or Essay).

Learning Objectives

  • Construct a personal knowledge web that maps connections between portfolio components, TOK concepts, Areas of Knowledge, and real-world examples.

Activities

  1. Exploration (5 min): Have students observe the default structure: the inner pentagon (Portfolio Components) and the outer ring (Chapter Nodes). Instruct them to test the "physics toggle" and observe how nodes cluster together when connections pull on them.
  2. Guided Practice (10 min): Project a sample on the board. Add a custom student node labeled with a specific real-world object (e.g., "AI Generative Art"). Draw an edge connection from this object to "The Arts" chapter node, and another to the "Exhibition" node. Double click the object to type a personal note about why it fits.
  3. Assessment (25 min): Students use the full remaining time to map out their actual Capstone projects. They must add at least 3 custom object/example nodes and wire them correctly across the Core Themes and AOKs. Once complete, they will use the "Export" button to save an image of their web and submit it.

Assessment

  • Submission of the exported Knowledge Web image.
  • A peer-review session where students "pitch" their web structure to a partner, ensuring the edges (connections) between objects and AOKs are logically sound.

Quiz

Test your understanding of the Knowledge Web structure with this question.

1. Why is drawing an edge (connection) between a "real-world object" node and a specific "Area of Knowledge" node critical when planning a TOK Capstone Exhibition?

  1. It ensures the object is physically rare enough to be graded highly.
  2. It demonstrates how abstract epistemic theories directly map onto concrete, real-life applications.
  3. It guarantees that the network layout physics algorithm will balance visually on the screen.
  4. It restricts the student from having to write more than one paragraph about the object.
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The core goal of a TOK Exhibition or Capstone is to take highly abstract concepts (from the Areas of Knowledge and Core Themes) and anchor them with exact, real-world manifestations. By mapping them together, students prove that theory and practice interconnect.

Concept Tested: Theory to Real-World Application