Brookfield's mirrors

Stephen Brookfield defined four sources of information for critical reflection. He called them lenses - but they are obviously mirrors! They were developed in relation to teaching but can be extended into any professional activity that involves interacting with others.

• Autobiographical mirror - your own memories of an experience (see Journaling)

• Counterparty mirror - the accounts and feedback from people you interacted with during the experience

• Peer mirror - feedback and observations from people who perform the same role as you (colleagues/mentors/supervisors)

• Theory mirror - insights and challenges from structured theoretical models providing idealised conceptualisations, priorities and behaviours

The last three mirrors provide information which you can compare against information from the autobiographical perspective (using techniques like Johari window).

Brookfield, S. (1998). Critically reflective practice. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 18(4), 197–205. https://doi.org/10.1002/chp.1340180402

Brookfield, S. D. (2017). Becoming a Critically Reflective Teacher. John Wiley & Sons.