Welcome to the course!
Module 0 - Introduction to e-learning
Welcome to the course!
Welcome to the course!
Welcome to this e-learning course. This course is about how to think about the information we read, hear or see. You will not be learning anything by heart. You will not be taking tests or receiving grades. In this course, you will simply be acquiring information and testing yourself to see if you have understood it correctly. There is no need to rush; you can work at your own pace.
How does the course work?
Each module in this course has a similar structure:
- first, an explanation of a topic,
- then a brief summary,
- followed by simple examples and exercises,
- and finally some additional information for further reflection.
In this course, you can:
- proceed step by step,
- go back,
- take a break whenever you need to.
Mistakes are okay!
In this course, mistakes are not a problem. A mistake means you are thinking. No one will evaluate or compare your results with others.
It is not important to have the right answer right away. What is important is to understand why and how you think about things and information.
What will you learn in this course?
In this course, you will learn, for example:
- distinguish between fact, opinion and assumption,
- better understand texts,
- how to be wary of false information, images or videos,
- how not to be easily manipulated,
- and how to think critically about information about the European Union.
You can use these skills:
- at school,
- on the internet,
- in everyday life.
How to work with the course?
This course is not a race; it is not important to reach the finish line as quickly as possible. This course offers space for learning. We recommend:
- read/watch and follow the course at your own pace,
- not to rush,
- if you are unsure, that's okay,
- think for yourself.
🚀 Ready to begin?
If you feel like continuing, you can move on to the next module. In the following module, we will look at what critical thinking is and why it is important. But before that, you can try a little mental warm-up.
🧠 Mental warm-up (brain teasers)
Read the assignment, think for a while, and if you are unsure, click for a hint. Finally, check the correct solution.
Task 1: Flying puppy
A small puppy jumped out of a window of a 20-storey building. The puppy landed on the hard ground and survived, unharmed. How is this possible?
💡 Show hint
It's not about chance or luck. Do you know exactly where the puppy fell from? Is this information included in the task?
👀 Show solution
Solution: The task does not say that the puppy jumped from the top floor. It could have jumped from a window on the ground floor, for example.
Task 2: The apple mystery
There were six apples in a basket on the garden table. Six boys came into the garden. Each took one apple. When they left, each had one apple. And yet one apple remained in the basket. How is this possible?
💡 Show hint
Did all the boys have to take an apple in their hands?
👀 Show solution
Solution: The last boy simply took the apple in the basket.
Task 3: Who will you take in the car?
You are driving your car, and there is a big storm outside. Suddenly, you see three people standing by the road:
1. An old lady who needs to get to the hospital quickly.
2. Your friend who once saved your life.
3. A person you fall in love with at first sight.
But you can only take one person in your car. Who will you choose?
💡 Show hint
What if you figured out a way to help everyone?
👀 Show solution
Solution: Give your friend the car keys, put the old lady in the car, and your friend will take her to the hospital. And you will stay with the person you fell in love with.