Spotlight
PAGE: https://alison.com/course/problem-solving-and-critical-thinking-skills
PROMISE: Build unassisted debugging habits by applying structured critical thinking frameworks to independent work.
WHO: Independent developers and technical leads who feel their core reasoning skills are degrading due to over reliance on generative AI.
WHYNOW: As AI coding assistants become standard tools, maintaining independent problem solving capability is critical for verifying generated code and handling novel issues.
DESC: Learn about Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills in this FREE online training course.
BEFORE: Reliance on AI tools shortcuts the mental process of tracing execution paths independently.
BEFORE: Fundamental debugging instincts atrophy because answers are provided before analysis happens.
BEFORE: Complex errors become insurmountable without external assistance due to weak analytical base.
AFTER: AI is used as a verification tool after independent analysis rather than as the primary solution source.
AFTER: Manual tracing and hypothesis testing become standard practices before seeking external input.
AFTER: Root cause identification improves because the underlying logic is examined thoroughly without distraction.
GAIN: A structured method for evaluating code evidence before jumping to conclusions or external tools.
GAIN: Improved ability to generate and test multiple hypotheses for complex system failures independently.
GAIN: Clear criteria for selecting logical fixes that prevent recurrence rather than temporary patches.
STEP: You stare at a failing test and reach for AI autocomplete before trying to trace the logic yourself. || Evaluate all given information to begin the critical thinking process || Systematically list error messages and variable states before typing a single line of new code or asking a tool for help.
STEP: You feel stuck because you cannot distinguish which part of the system is actually causing the bug. || Analyze possible solutions to your problem || Draft three distinct hypotheses for the root cause and verify each through manual inspection before implementing a fix.
STEP: You implement a patch that fixes the symptom but does not address why the failure occurred. || Identify the best possible solution || Select the approach that resolves the underlying logic flaw rather than the immediate error, ensuring the code remains maintainable.
NOTFOR: Developers who only need syntax corrections and do not care about underlying system architecture.
NOTFOR: Teams that have already established rigorous peer review processes that catch logical errors automatically.
FACT: Average duration: 3-4 Hours (Contains Video)
FACT: CPD-accredited certificate available
FACT: Beginner level
COVERS: Analyze possible solutions to your problem
COVERS: Identify the best possible solution
COVERS: Explain critical thinking techniques
COVERS: Arrange your work area to improve productivity
COVERS: Evaluate all given information to begin the critical thinking process
COVERS: Discuss methods of managing your time more efficiently
COVERS: Personal Development
COVERS: Time Management
COVERS: Critical Thinking
COVERS: Problem Solving
COVERS: Transition Year Moral Social and Personal Development
MODULE: Creative Problem Solving || Intro | Getting Started | Problem Solving Method | Information Gathering | Problem Definition | Preparing for Brainstorming | Generating Solutions (I) | Generating Solutions (II) | Analyzing Solutions | Selecting a Solution
MODULE: Critical Thinking || Getting Started | Components of Critical Thinking | Non-Linear Thinking | Logical Thinking | Critical Thinkers (I) | Critical Thinkers (II) | Evaluate the Information | Benefits of Critical Thinking | Changing Your Perspective | Problem Solving
MODULE: Organizational Skills || Getting Started | Remove The Clutter | Prioritize | Scheduling Your Time | To Do Lists | Paper And Paperless Storage | Organization In Your Work Area | Tools To Fight Procrastination | Organizing Your Inbox | Avoid The Causes Of Disorganization
What you are probably seeing
You notice that you cannot explain why a specific code block works, only that it runs because an AI tool generated it. The confidence in your logic drops when the tool is unavailable.
Your error logs fill up, but you spend the same amount of time copying and pasting fixes without understanding the root cause. The time saved by generation is lost in repeated, shallow troubleshooting.
Why it happens
The immediate reward for speed creates a feedback loop where you stop practicing the slow process of tracing data flow. Your brain outsources the pattern recognition needed to find subtle bugs.
Without friction, you lose the mental muscle memory required to isolate variables. You depend on external structure instead of building an internal one for solving problems.
What changed recently
Step by step
1. Select a small, broken module in your current project that you can fix in under an hour without help.
2. Open a plain text editor or command line interface to work on the code without any AI chatbot or code completion features active.
3. Write down your initial hypothesis for the bug before looking at the specific line causing the error.
4. Trace the variable values manually through the function to verify why the output is incorrect.
5. Review the fixed code and write a one-page summary of what you learned about the underlying logic.
Ways to go further
Start here: Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills Open the free course on Alison ↗
Affiliate links: CHEAPUNO may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.
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