Gibbs Using Gibbs Reflective Cycle

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Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle (or Gibbs’ Reflective Model)

Gibbs’ reflective cycle is a theoretical model often used by students as a framework in


coursework assignments that require reflective writing.

The model was created by Professor Graham Gibbs and appeared in Learning by Doing (1988).
It looks like this:

Gibbs 1988

Gibbs’ reflective cycle has 6 stages. They are usually given the following headings:
1. Description
2. Feelings
3. Evaluation
4. Analysis
5. Conclusion
6. Action Plan

Gibbs’ model was developed from an earlier theoretical model; David Kolb’s 4 stage experiential
learning cycle (1984).

Whereas Kolb’s model is sometimes referred to as an experiential learning model (which simply
means learning through experience), Gibbs’ model is sometimes referred to as an iterative
model (which simply means learning through repetition).

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The version of Gibbs’ model given to students may be slightly adapted, such as the one that
appears in Bulman and Schultz (2013) Reflective Practice in Nursing p232.
It looks like this:

Using analysis in Gibbs’ model


In theory, the reflective process follows the 6 steps of the model so that each step informs the
next. In practice, students often confuse the Evaluation, Analysis and Conclusion stages. These
parts seem to ask similar questions and as a result, there can be a lot of repetition. Analytical
writing is only required in the Analysis stage. The other 5 steps are made up of statements of
description, statements of value (whether something was good or bad), statements of
summation or statements of justification (why something was done).

The aims of using Gibbs’ reflective cycle:


 to challenge your assumptions
 to explore different/new ideas and approaches towards doing or thinking
about things
 to promote self-improvement (by identifying strengths and weaknesses
and taking action to address them)
 to link practice and theory (by combining doing or observing with thinking
or applying knowledge)

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A template for using Gibbs’ model
Use the questions and guidelines in the template below to help you write each stage of the
model. You do not have to answer all the questions. Try to select those that are relevant.

Description
Using specific and relevant detail, give a concise description of your experience (i.e. what you are
reflecting on).

Feelings
Answer any of the following questions that you think are relevant to the experience:
 How did you feel and what did you think prior to the experience?
 How did you feel and what did you think during the experience?
 How did you react during the experience?
 How did you feel and what did you think after the experience?

Evaluation
Answer any of the following questions that you think are relevant to the experience:
 What went well during the experience (what worked)?
 What went badly during the experience (what didn’t work)?
 How did the experience end? Was the experience complete (was there a resolution) or
incomplete?

if a lot of different things happened during the experience, focus on one or two, try to choose the
things that are most important, most relevant or most representative of the experience

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Analysis
Do any of the following that you think is relevant:

Reconsider the things that went badly and write why you think they went badly (causes of action).
Reconsider the things that went badly and write what you think this lead to (consequences of
action).
Think about what could have been done to have avoided these negative consequences.

Reconsider the things that went well and write why you think they went well (causes of action).
Reconsider the things that went well and write what you think this lead to (consequences of
action).
Think about how this positive action could have been further improved.

Think about your contribution to the experience and say how useful it was and why it was useful
(did a previous experience help you? can you compare it to a previous experience?).
If you were unable to contribute to the experience say why.

Think about other people present during the experience and try to assess whether their reactions
were similar or different to yours. Try to say why they were the same or different.

Conclusions
Reconsider the experience and answer any of the following questions that you think are relevant:
 What should or could I have done differently?
 What stopped me from doing this?
 What did I learn about myself during the experience (positive and/or
negative)?
 What did I learn about my current knowledge or level of practice (strengths
and weaknesses)?
 Did the experience achieve any of my learning goals or meet any of my
required competencies?

Action Plan

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