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Next Door Tech Critical Thinking Track

Critical Thinking
in Technology

Every repair, line of code and security decision depends on how well you think. This track trains you to question assumptions, weigh evidence, find root causes, verify AI answers and make sound decisions — using the S.T.A.R.E. method: Stop, Think & question, Analyze evidence, Review alternatives, Execute & evaluate.

Duration
12 weeks / self-paced
Focus
Reasoning & investigation
Modules
12
Capstone
Incident investigation
0 of 12 modules complete0%
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Pre-course — setting up

  • ◇A notebook (paper or digital) for your investigation journal
  • ◇Think of one recent technical problem you or someone you know had
  • ◇Access to an AI chat tool for Unit 10

No prerequisite. Pairs well with every other programme at the academy.

Your capstone project

You'll investigate a realistic company incident — suspicious emails, a slow network, a strange laptop and inaccessible files — without being told the cause, then present evidence-based conclusions and recommendations.

Progressive learning path

Five levels, from separating facts from assumptions to investigating a real-world incident.

  1. 1

    Foundations

    Weeks 1–30/3

    What critical thinking is, how your own mind can mislead you, and how to ask better questions.

    M01Foundations of Critical ThinkingWeek 1M02How Human Thinking WorksWeek 2M03Asking Better QuestionsWeek 3

    Capstone — Think Before You Conclude

    Analyse a real technical problem and produce a one-page investigation separating facts, assumptions, questions and possible explanations.

  2. 2

    Reasoning

    Weeks 4–50/2

    Evaluate arguments, spot fallacies and judge whether information deserves trust.

    M04Logic and ReasoningWeek 4M05Evidence and Digital InformationWeek 5

    Capstone — Technology Fact-Checking Report

    Evaluate three real technology claims and show what evidence supports, weakens or refutes each.

  3. 3

    Application

    Weeks 6–90/4

    Root-cause analysis, decisions under uncertainty, and investigations in tech support and cybersecurity.

    M06Problem Solving and Root-Cause AnalysisWeek 6M07Decision-MakingWeek 7M08Critical Thinking in TechnologyWeek 8M09Critical Thinking in CybersecurityWeek 9

    Capstone — Incident Investigation Report

    Investigate a support ticket and a phishing incident end to end: problem statement, evidence, hypotheses, tests, findings and verification.

  4. 4

    Mastery

    Weeks 10–110/2

    Verify AI output and apply systems, first-principles and second-order thinking.

    M10Critical Thinking with AIWeek 10M11Advanced ThinkingWeek 11

    Capstone — Systems Analysis Project

    Analyse a technology problem across people, processes, technology, risks and consequences.

  5. 5

    Capstone

    Week 120/1

    Apply the full S.T.A.R.E. process to a complex, multi-symptom scenario.

    M12Capstone: The Critical ThinkerWeek 12

    Capstone — The Critical Thinker

    Investigate a small company's suspicious emails, slow network and missing files — without being told the cause — and defend your conclusions.