Seeing teaching and learning through different ‘lenses’

The next step for critical reflection is to extend the technique further and look at our teaching more systematically through a range of perspectives other than our own. Brookfield uses the word ‘lenses’.  Apart from our own personal beliefs, values, assumptions and experiences, there are three other main ‘lenses’: students', colleagues', and theoretical literature. Viewing our teaching from these perspectives can illuminate and further inform our practice. There are other perspectives you may also want to consider: employers, funders or similar stakeholders; former or future students; experts in other communications or interpersonal fields, e.g. counsellors, psychologists, mentors, coaches; quality assurance personnel; other lay people.