Critical Friends Collaborating with “Critical Friends”

What is a “critical friend”? a trusted person who asks provocative questions a trusted person who asks provocative questions provides data to be examined through another len provides data to be examined through another len offers critiques of a person’s work as a friend. offers critiques of a person’s work as a friend. A critical friend takes the time to fully understand the context of the work. A critical friend takes the time to fully understand the context of the work. The friend is an advocate for the success of that work. The friend is an advocate for the success of that work. (Source: Costa, A & Kallick, B, 1993, Through the Lens of a Critical Friend. Educational Leadership)

Role of “Critical Friend” to support and challenge to support and challenge to be less formal than mentoring or coaching to be less formal than mentoring or coaching To show regard/respect and the willingness to question and challenge. To show regard/respect and the willingness to question and challenge.

trust and respect trust and respect provides honest and critical feedback provides honest and critical feedback a skilled observer and listener a skilled observer and listener asks provocative/stretch questions provides balance between support and challenge provides a different perspective/new eyes provides a different perspective/new eyes provides critique using higher order thinking provides critique using higher order thinking What Makes a Good Critical Friend?