Gibbs 1988 Reflective Cycle 1

Gibbs’ (1988) Reflective Cycle
Gary, Andrea, Nick & Omar
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Gibbs’ reflective cycle is a common model for reflection. It includes 6 stages of reflection

Gibbs (1988) reflective cycle
• It is a never ending cycle, whereby theory and practice constantly feed each other
• It can start as quite a shallow process, but the more you develop and the more you begin to analyse the tasks, the deeper your learning experience becomes
• In professional practice, tasks do not always follow set procedures – you need to draw on both practical experience and theory to think on your feet and improvise. Gibbs (1988) reflective cycle
• Gibbs’ reflective cycle is a theoretical model, often used by students as a framework in coursework assignments that require reflective writing • Gibbs’ model was developed from an earlier theoretical model; David Kolb’s 4 stage experiential learning cycle (1984)
– Kolb – experiential learning (learning by doing)
– Gibbs – iterative model (learning through repetition)

Description (what happened)
• A description of the event;
– where were you,
– who else was there,
– what were you doing,
– what happened

• Don’t waffle! – Keep it relevant

Feelings (what were you thinking and feeling)
• This includes your emotions – from how you felt at the beginning all the way through to the end of the session.
• Why do certain things/feelings stand out?
• How did others feel about this? (other staff members / LSA’s / learners etc)

Evaluation (What was good and bad about the experience?)
• How well did things go?
• How did you react in the situations which arose? • Make a judgement about what has happened.
• What was good about the experience?
• What didn’t work so well?
• Think about the 5 whys (ask yourself ‘why’ 5 times) Analysis (What sense can you make of the situation?) • Explore the components, breaking the evaluation down into smaller chunks and looking at these with detailed questions

Conclusion (What else could you have done?)
• Is there anything else that you could have done?
• If positive – would you do the same again to ensure a positive outcome?
• What can you change to improve things further
• Developing insight into yours and other peoples practices and behaviours
• Dependant on everything which has happened before – if previous parts haven’t been completed effectively, this is null and void

Action Plan (If it arose again, what would you do?) • Summary of everything you need to know to do it again – what would you do different, how to implement this,
• If faced with the same situation, what would you change? • FORWARD THINKING
• This completes the cycle, so if you experience the same again, you should be able to deal with it

Gibbs’ linked to Rolfe

Disadvantages
• Poor judgement due to lack of knowledge and experience • Lack of time and space to comprehend better judgement • Negative preconceptions about reflective practices • Non-supportive organisational culture

References / Links
• Gibbs’ Reflective Model: https://safaashaaban.wordpress.com/core-module/final-reflection-2/ • Jasper, M. (2003) Beginning reflective practice – Foundations in Nursing and Healthcare.
Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes
• More information: www.kcl.ac.uk/campuslife/services/disability/service/using-gibbs-reflective-cycle-in-coursewo rk.pdf

• Sheet from Kerry: www.cumbria.ac.uk/public/liss/documents/skillsatcumbria/reflectivecyclegibbs.pdf • Gibbs’ and Rolfe Linked: https://ppd3blackden.wordpress.com/reflection-model/
• Disadvantages: http://www.researchomatic.com/reflective-essay-151310.html