Gibbs' Reflective Cycle

Definition

Gibbs' Reflective Cycle is a framework for guiding individuals through the process of reflection on experiences, particularly in learning and professional development. It consists of six stages: description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, and action plan, providing a structured approach to reflect on experiences critically. This cycle encourages continuous improvement and learning by prompting individuals to think deeply about their actions and outcomes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Gibbs' Reflective Cycle was developed by Graham Gibbs in 1988 and is widely used in educational settings to promote reflective practice.
2. The first stage, description, involves outlining what happened in the experience without making judgments.
3. In the feelings stage, individuals are encouraged to explore their emotional responses to the experience.
4. Evaluation involves assessing the positives and negatives of the experience to understand its impact better.
5. The final stages include forming conclusions based on analysis and creating an action plan for future improvements.

Review Questions

• How does Gibbs' Reflective Cycle facilitate deeper understanding of personal experiences?
  • Gibbs' Reflective Cycle facilitates a deeper understanding of personal experiences by breaking down the reflection process into manageable stages. Each stage encourages individuals to examine different aspects of their experiences, from describing what happened to analyzing their feelings and evaluating outcomes. This structured approach helps identify key learnings and areas for improvement, ultimately leading to more informed future actions.
• What role does emotional awareness play in Gibbs' Reflective Cycle?
  • Emotional awareness plays a crucial role in Gibbs' Reflective Cycle as it allows individuals to connect their feelings with their experiences. The feelings stage prompts reflection on emotional responses, which can reveal insights about personal values, motivations, and reactions. Understanding these emotions can enhance self-awareness and inform decision-making in similar future situations.
• Evaluate how Gibbs' Reflective Cycle can be integrated into action research for educators aiming to improve their teaching practices.
  • Integrating Gibbs' Reflective Cycle into action research allows educators to systematically reflect on their teaching practices while simultaneously gathering data on student learning outcomes. By using the cycle to analyze specific teaching experiences, educators can identify effective strategies and areas needing adjustment. This reflective process fosters a culture of continuous improvement within educational settings, helping teachers adapt their methods based on real-time feedback and reflection.

Related terms

Reflective Practice: The process of critically examining one's actions and experiences to enhance learning and professional development.

Action Research: A reflective process of progressive problem solving led by individuals working with others in teams or as part of a community to improve the way they address issues and solve problems.

Kolb's Learning Cycle: A model that describes the experiential learning process through four stages: concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation.