The Ideas of Chomsky-BBC interview

Student speakers and Student Council Leadership team with Principal, Mr Gardner and TOK Coordinator, Mr C, at the BD SOMANI TOK FORUM ON INTERNATIONAL MINDEDNESS at Vivanta Taj President Hotel.

Congratulations to our student speakers and thanks to our students, teachers and parents who came to support this event on a Sunday morning! Our Principal, Mr Gardner and our Student President Shivaan Thakkar co-chaired the session.
A special word of thanks to the Vivanta at Taj President Hotel staff who did a fantastic job!

Congrats to Speakers and Audience who attended TOK FORUM

Mr. C.'s IB English Blog: INVITATION TO IB STUDENTS TOK FORUM TAJ VIVANTA HO...

Mr. C.'s IB English Blog: INVITATION TO IB STUDENTS TOK FORUM TAJ VIVANTA HO...:   Our Grade X1 students are preparing some excellent presentations on 'international mindedness' in an Indian IB School. ALL STAF...

BBC 911: The Conspiracy Files - Excellent documentary.

                                 

 The possibility of real conspiracies cannot be ignored.                                       

However, as in all knowledge claims we must weigh the evidence of claims and counterclaims in our search for the truth.                                                               

 Conspiracy theories flourish on the internet. However, critical thinkers must look at the evidence, look at the sources of these conspiracy claims. "Loose Change" and the so called "911 Truth Movement" are excellent examples of confirmation bias. Many in the Arab World echo these American theories rather than accept that people from their community committed mass murder. Where is Mohammed Atta? His father, a lawyer in Cairo initially denied that his son could have been involved but in subsequent interviews sought to justify the attacks.                                                                           

 The Conspiracy theorists take quotations out of context or  edit interviews to manipulate snippets out of context. The psychological basis of these theories may be a mixture of many factors. The desire for notoriety, the refusal to accept that horrible events may be caused by relatively minor individuals. The public assassination of JFK by the nerdy Lee Harvey Oswald, the murders in New York, masterminded by an extremist in a cave in Afghanistan. The death of Princess Diana in a horrible accident is so shocking that some people prefer to claim that she was murdered by her own government. 

Why? Because as T.S. Eliot wrote:

"Humankind cannot bear too much reality."       

Tragic events provoke a sense of outrage, incomprehension and unfairness in many people.        

Conspiracy theories offer a neat explanation of sinister elites who rule the world and conspiracy theorists become imbued with a mission to spread their version of the 'truth'.                                                                                  

 Serious thinkers always follow the evidence and when it conflicts look at the sources and the authority and academic qualifications of those sources. For further aspects, students might look at the "Moon Landing Hoax" influenced by the Hollywood film "Capricorn One". In the 1950s Hollywood films fueled the UFO sightings across the USA. At the very least, the ability of the conspiracy theorists to broadcast their views is a sign that democracy works. Freedom of speech is protected, even when the views expressed are not supported by the facts.

FILM - 'LOOSE CHANGE' -911 CONSPIRACY DEBUNKED

Short Changed

Traditional Dance Ireland dedicated to all my students and colleagues at BD Somani

What Happens Next?

Mr. C.'s IB English Blog: Mr. C.'s IB English Blog: INVITATION TO IB STUDENT...

Mr. C.'s IB English Blog: Mr. C.'s IB English Blog: INVITATION TO IB STUDENT...: click on this link below for full post Mr. C.'s IB English Blog: INVITATION TO IB STUDENTS TOK FORUM TAJ VIVANTA HO... :

KONY 2012- suggested by many students

THE BIG BANG - Paul Davies and Stephen Hawking

Start thinking about TOK oral presentation topics for April. If you are interested in the natural sciences, here is a topic worth considering.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/sep/04/stephen-hawking-big-bang-gap

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/sep/02/stephen-hawking-big-bang-creator

Claims and counter-claims. Paul Davies reviews Stephen Hawking's book in THE GUARDIAN, UK newspaper. Define the claims, counter claims, knowledge issues and email or talk to me if you are interested in this topic.

BBC on Iran's Nuclear Programme and the risk of war

We all read Marjane Satrapi's "Persepolis" and discussed the historical context of the Shah's removal and the emergence of a theocratic state under Ayatollah Khomeini. TOK encourages us to see knowledge as connected, to join the dots beyond the compartments of individual subjects on our timetable. Students should examine the article for evidence of objectivity or bias, the use of language as a way of knowing both on the part of the reader (personal contexts) and the use of language in imparting information. The BBC has a deserved reputation for fairness and balance, see my earlier post on the Falklands/Malvinas crisis. Some students might consider this as a topic for an oral presentation, comparing say Fox News with the BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera or indeed an Indian network.
This BBC report will help students understand the crisis in Iran today, the wider crisis in the Middle East and the climate of uncertainty and fear in that region.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17261265

Mr. C.'s IB Blogs: Membership and Posting on this Blog intended for BD Somani International School members

On my English Literature blog, I have explained that while I am grateful for the many page views from around the world, it is our policy that only members of our BD Somani School Community, students, parents and teachers become members of the blog. One does not need to be a member to view the blog and visitors are very welcome. However, in line with most school related blogs, I have a duty of care to monitor and mange the list of members and remove those who are not known to me.
If you are not a member of our school community, please resign from the blog or email me if you are a student or teacher at another school and wish to continue as a member here.
Any queries may be emailed to me andrew.callahan@bdsint.in

Mr. C.'s IB English Blog: Membership and Posting on this Blog intended for BD Somani International School members

FOR MR C'S TOK CLASS - PLEASE POST ESSAYS ON TURNITIN BEFORE SATURDAY

Reaffirming bonds in India | Harvard Gazette

Reaffirming bonds in India | Harvard Gazette

Selecting Student Speakers for TOK FORUM Vivanta Taj Hotel

Selecting Student Speakers for TOK FORUM Vivanta Taj Hotel.
The forum will be jointly chaired by -
Mr. Gardner, Principal, BDSIS and Shivaan Thakkar, President Senior Student Council, BDSIS.
If you are interested in speaking at the forum email Mr C before Sunday please.
Our goal is to explore definitions of 'international mindedness' in the context of a school where most students share a common nationality and cultural identity. So how does our curriculum including the cores subjects, CAS, TOK and the EE help us broaden our outlook.
Do we agree that positive patriotic feelings about our own country are natural and honourable once they are balanced with a respect for people of different cultures and nationalities?
PLEASE NOTE THAT STUDENTS WILL BE EXPECTED TO SPEAK FOR 7-10 MINUTES AND HOLD THE ATTENTION OF THE AUDIENCE THROUGH CONTENT AND RHETORICAL SKILLS..
Write about 100-150 words on how you would approach this topic:

Exploring what it means to be internationally minded in the context of the IB Learner profile and the Diploma programme.