Critical Friends Group (CFG) is a specific type of professional learning community (PLC) or community of practice. It's a structured approach designed to support educators in improving their practice and ultimately, student learning. CFGs are characterized by the use of protocols, which are structured conversations facilitating trust-building and addressing professional challenges.
Handouts
Peer Teaching Protocol (short verison)
Peer Teaching Protocol (Full lesson)
General Information
Key Characteristics and Purpose:
Collaborative Learning: CFGs facilitate professional development through regular, structured interactions among educators.
Focus on Practice & Student Learning: Members aim to improve their teaching methods, enhance student learning, and bridge achievement gaps.
Utilizing Protocols: CFGs utilize specific protocols, or structured conversations, developed by organizations like the National School Reform Faculty (NSRF), to guide their discussions and activities.
Problem-Solving and Reflection: Educators bring real-world challenges (dilemmas) to the group, explore them through reflective dialogue, and collaborate on finding solutions.
Warm and Cool Feedback: Feedback is provided in a supportive manner, with "warm" feedback highlighting strengths and "cool" feedback suggesting areas for improvement or raising questions.
Building Trust: The structured nature of CFGs, including time limits and agreed-upon norms, helps create a safe space for open communication and build trust among colleagues.
Benefits of CFGs:
Improved Teacher Practice: Through feedback, reflection, and problem-solving, educators can refine their teaching skills and strategies.
Increased Student Learning: The ultimate goal of improving teaching practice is to benefit students and enhance their learning outcomes.
Enhanced School Culture: CFGs contribute to a culture of collaboration, reflection, and continuous improvement within schools.
Reduced Teacher Isolation: CFGs provide a supportive environment where educators can connect with peers and address shared challenges.
Development of 21st-Century Skills: CFG work can foster skills like critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and reflection.
How CFGs Function:
Regular Meetings: Groups typically meet regularly, often monthly, for a designated time (e.g., two hours).
Facilitator: A trained facilitator guides the process, ensures the protocol is followed, manages time, and promotes productive discussion.
Presenter: An educator brings a dilemma, shares context, and frames a focus question for the group to consider.
Discussants (Critical Friends): Group members listen, ask clarifying and probing questions, and provide feedback (both warm and cool) to the presenter, often discussing the issue among themselves while the presenter listens and takes notes.
Reflection and Debriefing: The presenter reflects on the discussion, and the group debriefs the process to analyze what worked well and what could be improved.
In essence, Critical Friends Groups provide a structured and supportive framework for educators to engage in meaningful professional development, improve their practice, and ultimately enhance student learning.