PRESCRIBED TITLE #1.
Key word/phrase:“acquisition.”The focus here is on gaining knowledge which is done in a variety of ways. A historian is “acquiring” knowledge but so is a student in a history class. Even a historian who does nothing more than criticize weaknesses in a colleague’s work has acquired knowledge and has helped others do the same.
Key word/phrase:“responsibility.”There are different situations that have different kinds of responsibilities regarding knowledge-related decisions. A medical researcher has professional responsibilities regarding following accepted scientific methodology. A doctor also has professional responsibilities, but these also include human elements as many of the responsibilities are linked to the patients. A patient also has responsibilities to make appropriate health-related decisions before and after treatment.
Key word/phrase:“accuracy.”Although “accuracy” may seem fairly straightforward it most definitely is not. Even in the hard sciences there are accepted (i.e. “accurate”) facts that later on are discredited. In the arts there is a much different emphasis on accuracy. It would definitely be unwise for students to write about this PT and claim that accuracy is not importance in the arts. There are many art techniques that require technical accuracy. Also, there are categories of art that requires art to conform accurately to established rules.
Key word/phrase:“producer” and “user.” First of all it is not always possible to clearly distinguish between a producer and user of knowledge. Many individuals both produce and use knowledge. Also, there are numerous situations where a user of knowledge inadvertently ends up producing knowledge.
Key word/phrase: “two areas of knowledge.” An essay on this PT muststick to two AOKs. Markers may ignore any additional AOKs.
(If a PT does not mention the number of AOKs, students would still be wise to limit the number of AOKs in their essay. It is better to focus on fewer AOKs and discuss them in more depth. Two to three AOKs is a solid number for PTs that don’t specify how many AOKs should be discussed).
PRESCRIBED TITLE #2.
Key word/phrase:“human being.” An essay on this PT must be focused squarely on people’s involvement in knowledge production. Too much discussion of other topics (i.e. technology and procedures involved in knowledge production) will not be helpful.
Key word/phrase:“unique, unprecedented, unrepeatable.” This PT would have been a bit easier if it has just stuck to the work “unique” or something along the same lines. Having the quote with three words forces students to choice one of two options. Option #1: Address all three of these words in the essay. This seems an obvious choice but having to deal will all three will take time and space. Option #2: Find a word that effectively encapsulates “unique, unprecedented, unrepeatable.” This saves space and time. It is a risk though as there is the potential to stray from the heart of the PT if the word picked isn’t spot on.
Key word/phrase:“challenges.” The word “challenges” could be interpreted as “problems,” “obstacles,” etc. The RLEs discussed must demonstrate some evidence of challenges.
Key word/phrase:“knowledge production.” The essay has to directly address knowledge production. “Knowledge production” is not the same as “knowledge evaluation,” “knowledge verification,” “knowledge use,” etc.
Key word/phrase:“two areas of knowledge.” An essay on this PT muststick to two AOKs. Markers may ignore any additional AOKs.
PRESCRIBED TITLE #3.
Key word/phrase:“Shared knowledge.” The essay must clearly focus on shared knowledge and discussion of personal knowledge will not be helpful. Also, consider the Knowledge Framework for the AOKs you are considering writing about. Shared Knowledge varies significantly in each AOK.
Key word/phrase:“changes over time.” Students writing an essay on this PT must make sure the discussion / analysis is rooted in not just changes in shared knowledge, but in how the changes occur over time.
Key word/phrase:“undermine our confidence.” The word “our” seems like it could easily ignored, but it is significant. Who is the “our” in a particular Real Life Example? There have been numerous changes in shared knowledge where it creates confidence in one group of people while undermining it another. The discussion of different perspectives in this essay should differentiate clearly between different subgroups of the “our” in the PT.
Key word/phrase:“current.” The word “current” does not mean that the whole essay must be rooted in contemporary Real Life Examples. It only means that the “undermine our confidence” part of the essay must be contemporary. RLEs could be paired together in an essay: an older one and a newer one to emphasize the “changes of time” part of the PT.
PRESCRIBED TITLE #4.
Key word/phrase:“produce knowledge.” There is nothing in particular that has to be divined from this phrase but the essay has to directly address knowledge production. “Knowledge production” is not the same as “knowledge evaluation,” “knowledge verification,” “knowledge use,” etc.
Key word/phrase:“observe.” There are many ways to observe – the basic being one individual observing in person and making notes. However, observation also includes using numerous other techniques and technology and also frequently involves groups, not just a solitary individual.
Key word/phrase:“write down.” A lot of observation goes far beyond simply writing something down. Only a fraction of what is observed is actually written down / recorded. Secondly, observational data can be recorded in various other ways besides writing. In history, archaeology, anthropology, etc., the people doing the research are looking into the past and do not “write” and “observe” in the same direct way a psychologist or biologist sometimes does.
Key word/phrase:“effectiveness of this strategy” A particular method or technique may be deemed perfectly effective in one AOK / situation, but it would be completely unsuitable elsewhere.
Key word/phrase:“two areas of knowledge.” An essay on this PT muststick to two AOKs. Markers may ignore any additional AOKs.
PRESCRIBED TITLE #5.
Key word/phrase:“trade-off.” There are of course different kinds of trade-offs depending on the AOK, Real Life Example, etc. A trade-off in a particular situation in the arts may not be acceptable in the sciences.
Key word/phrase:“scepticism.” Scepticism is a necessary part of knowledge production in each AOK. However, there are situations where skepticism may not be justified.
Key word/phrase:“successful.” What one AOK / individual / etc. considers successful may not be successful for others.
Key word/phrase:“production of knowledge” There is nothing in particular that has to be divined from this phrase but the essay has to directly address knowledge production. “Knowledge production” is not the same as “knowledge evaluation,” “knowledge verification,” “knowledge use,” etc.
PRESCRIBED TITLE #6.
Key word/phrase:“pursuit of knowledge.” Each AOK has different methods in the “pursuit of knowledge.” Furthermore, researchers, students, etc may pursue the same topic with different methods, goals, and perspectives. For example, a specialist in medical ethics may view the results of a research project to be “significant” while a colleague may completely disagree.
Key word/phrase:There is no clear line between “truths” and “significant truths.” It is up to the student to use RLEs to highlight instances where there is a difference (or not) between “truths” and “significant truths.” Also, some AOKs focus more on the search for concrete truths while in other AOKs issues are much more abstract.