Penser critique from edX

L'accès à une information de qualité est essentiel au fonctionnement de nos sociétés démocratiques. Or, la quantité d'informations et les canaux par lesquels elles nous parviennent deviennent tellement importants qu'il nous est impossible de les contrôler.

De plus, des opérations de désinformation sont régulièrement organisées, avec la diffusion des fake news au travers des réseaux sociaux. Des théories complotistes prétendent également que tous les médias traditionnels et les dirigeants nous trompent. Dès lors, comment discerner le faux du vrai ?

L'esprit critique n'est pas inné, mais peut s'apprendre comme on apprend à lire ou à calculer : développer son esprit critique, c'est apprendre à mettre en oeuvre une véritable démarche qui inclut notamment l'évaluation de la fiabilité de l'information et la confrontation d'autres opinions. Cela passe aussi par une prise de conscience des biais cognitifs qui peuvent altérer notre jugement et par une compréhension de la manière dont fonctionne la science et du statut des connaissances scientifiques.

Depuis quand parle-t-on de pensée critique ?
Quels obstacles devons-nous dépasser pour mettre en oeuvre une démarche critique ?
Sur quels critères se baser pour évaluer la fiabilité d'une information ?
Les mots, les images et les sons utilisés influencent-ils notre jugement ?
Comment interpréter des données, un graphique ?
Quelles sont les limites de la science ?...

Si vous vous êtes déjà posé l'une de ces questions, alors ce cours en ligne est fait pour vous ! Une équipe de six enseignants et chercheurs enthousiastes issus de diverses disciplines ont réuni un large panel d'experts de domaines très différents pour partager leurs réflexions avec vous. Ils vous proposent différentes grilles de lectures, balises et analyses qui vous permettront de mettre à l'épreuve et de développer votre esprit critique. Vous ferez egalement la connaissance de Vanmulder et Skullenberg, nos deux agents très spéciaux, qui accompagneront avec humour votre parcours critique.

Enfin, ce cours c'est aussi et surtout ceux qui y prennent part, vous : suivez nos débats et interagissez avec nous en live durant les émissions de radio qui seront diffusées en streaming tout au long des modules.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Décoder les mécanismes à l'oeuvre derrière nos stéréotypes
Repérer comment la mise en scène de contenus peut nous manipuler
Déterminer la fiabilité d'une information et de sa source

Évaluer et interpréter la qualité d'une démarche scientifique
Discuter de la place et des limites de la science aujourd'hui
Au terme de ce cours vous serez mieux outilles pour:

Décoder les mécanismes à l'oeuvre derrière nos stéréotypes
Repérer comment la mise en scène de contenus peut nous manipuler
Déterminer la fiabilité d'une information et de sa source
Évaluer et interpréter la qualité d'une démarche scientifique
Discuter de la place et des limites de la science aujourd'hui
Au terme de ce cours vous serez mieux outilles pour:

Syllabus

Module 1 : Pourquoi développer son esprit critique ?

1.1 Pensée critique, phénomène nouveau ?

1.2 Pensée critique et transdisciplinarité

Module 2 : Identifier ses préconceptions

2.1 Stéréotypes, biais et préconceptions : de quoi parle-t-on ?

2.2 Differents types de biais

2.3 Mise à distance et déconstruction

Module 3 : Décoder le discours

3.1 L'influence du son

3.2 L'influence de l'image

3.3 L'influence du non-verbal

3.4 Mots et discours

Module 4 : Évaluer la qualité des sources

4.1 Les sources d'information

4.2 L'intentionnalité des sources d'information

4.3 La fiabilité d'une source d'information

4.4 Les publications scientifiques

Module 5 : Comprendre la démarche scientifique

5.1 Les différents types de raisonnements

5.2 La démarche scientifique

5.3 Démarche critique de recherche

5.4 Démarche pseudo ou non scientifique

Module 6 : Analyser les données

6.1 La démarche qualitative

6.2 Les échantillons, sondages et probabilités

6.3 Interpréter les données

6.4 Distinguer causalité et correlation

Module 7 : Prendre conscience des limites de la science

7.1 Le consensus scientifique

7.2 Les limites humaines et technologiques de la démarche scientifique

7.3 Diversité des approches scientifiques

7.4 La place des sciences dans la société occidentale

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Développe des compétences essentielles pour comprendre les médias, la science et les enjeux de société

Renforce les fondamentaux pour les débutants en matière de pensée critique

Offre une approche interdisciplinaire de la pensée critique, englobant la philosophie, la psychologie et les sciences de l'information

Intègre des études de cas et des exemples du monde réel pour illustrer des concepts et des stratégies

Explore les limites de la science et met en évidence le rôle de l'incertitude et de l'interprétation dans la recherche scientifique

Nécessite des connaissances préalables en sciences et en méthodes scientifiques

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Penser critique with these activities:

Créer une affiche sur les biais cognitifs

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Améliorer votre compréhension des biais cognitifs et affiner vos compétences en communication visuelle.

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Identifier les principaux biais cognitifs
Choisir un format d'affiche
Concevoir une mise en page attrayante
Illustrer les biais cognitifs avec des exemples
Présenter l'affiche à vos pairs

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Career center

Learners who complete Penser critique will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Analyst

Data Analysts are in very high demand. They use data analytic software and mathematical modeling to analyze big data, then help communicate it to stakeholders. Since they often need to make complex decisions with incomplete or potentially biased data, critical thinking is paramount. This course may help Data Analysts build the skills they need to more effectively filter and analyze data, especially in uncertain or ambiguous situations.

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Science Writer

Science Writers interpret complex scientific discoveries and translate them into everyday language for the public. In fact, critical thinking is a prerequisite for success in this role. This course may help Science Writers build the skills they need to effectively evaluate scientific data and findings, so they can better communicate the data to the public in a fair and objective manner.

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Journalist

Journalists are trained to determine the credibility of a source, evaluate the quality of information, and be skeptical of potential misinformation. Critical thinking is essential to the success of a career in Journalism. This course may help Journalists build the skills they need to effectively investigate and report on important and sometimes controversial issues, while maintaining an unbiased and objective perspective.

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Project Manager

Project Managers are often responsible for the filtering and processing of information, so they can make educated decisions about the trajectory of a project. Critical thinking is important in this role, and this course may help Project Managers build the skills they need to ensure project plans and deliverables are on time and on budget, even in the face of unexpected changes or setbacks.

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Risk Analyst

Risk Analysts are responsible for identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential risks or hazards that may impact an organization. Critical thinking is essential to the role of a Risk Analyst, as it allows them to leverage limited knowledge or resources to make important decisions, often when time is of the essence. This course may help Risk Analysts build the skills they need to efficiently conduct a risk assessment and create a plan to ensure operational continuity during a crisis.

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Market Analyst

Market Analysts use data analysis to collect and interpret data in order to evaluate market conditions and predict future trends. Critical thinking is important for Market Analysts, as they may need to work with incomplete, limited, or ambiguous information, and they must be able to identify the most reliable and relevant sources of data to make informed recommendations. This course may help Market Analysts build the skills they need to effectively evaluate the accuracy of information, and apply this knowledge when drafting a market research report.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists may be tasked with complex analytical techniques, including cleaning and organizing data, and developing algorithms based on their findings. In their role, critical thinking is important when they need to work with incomplete or ambiguous data that can potentially bias their results. This course may help Data Scientists build the skills they need to identify and minimize bias in their research, and more effectively communicate their findings to stakeholders.

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Communication Manager

Communication Managers are responsible for creating strategic communication plans to support an organization's overall business goals. Critical thinking is important in this role, as they must be able to evaluate the credibility and quality of information, and present it in a way that is objective and fair. This course may help Communication Managers build the skills they need to effectively evaluate and communicate information, especially in situations where there may be differing perspectives or opinions.

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Statistician

Statisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data to provide meaningful insights. Critical thinking is essential in this role, as Statisticians are often tasked with working with incomplete or ambiguous data and must use their skills to identify the most accurate and effective solution. This course may help Statisticians build the skills they need to effectively evaluate the credibility of data and determine the best analytical techniques to use for a given research question.

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Information Technology (IT) Auditor

IT Auditors evaluate an organization's IT systems and processes to identify weaknesses and recommend improvements. Critical thinking is a vital skill for professionals in this role, as it allows them to effectively evaluate IT systems and make recommendations to ensure the security and efficiency of the organization's IT infrastructure. This course may help IT Auditors build the skills they need to identify and assess the credibility of information, and apply this knowledge when developing an audit plan.

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Intelligence Analyst

Intelligence Analysts collect and analyze information to assess potential threats or opportunities and produce intelligence reports consumed by policymakers and other stakeholders. Critical thinking is essential in this role, as the quality of their analysis directly impacts decision-making at the highest levels of government or business. This course may help Intelligence Analysts build the skills they need to quickly and effectively evaluate the credibility and quality of sources, and present their findings in a way that is objective and fair.

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Management Consultant

Management Consultants help organizations improve their performance by providing expert advice and recommendations. Critical thinking is a vital skill in this role, as Management Consultants must be able to quickly and effectively evaluate a variety of information and data to make recommendations that will improve the organization's operations. This course may help Management Consultants build the skills they need to evaluate the credibility of information and identify the best course of action for a given situation.

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Attorney

Attorneys must be able to quickly and effectively evaluate the credibility of witnesses and evidence, and present their case in a way that is persuasive and well-reasoned. Critical thinking is essential to success in this field. This course may help Attorneys build the skills they need to evaluate the credibility of sources and evidence, and make persuasive arguments in court.

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Healthcare Manager

Healthcare Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing healthcare services. Critical thinking is essential for success in this role, as Healthcare Managers must be able to quickly and effectively evaluate a variety of information and data to make decisions that will improve the quality of patient care. This course may help Healthcare Managers build the skills they need to evaluate the credibility of information and make sound decisions that will benefit patients and the healthcare system.

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Law Enforcement Officer

Law Enforcement Officers are responsible for upholding the law and protecting the public. Critical thinking is essential for success in this role, as Law Enforcement Officers must be able to quickly and effectively evaluate a variety of information and data to make decisions that will keep the public safe. This course may help Law Enforcement Officers build the skills they need to evaluate the credibility of witnesses and evidence, and make sound decisions in high-pressure situations.

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