Have you ever thought about how the Gibbs reflective cycle can help people analyze their experiences? This might be unsettling for any scenario they have had while focusing on a particular activity. The Gibbs Reflective Cycle is a widely used model for reflective practice, developed by Graham Gibbs in 1988. It provides a structured approach to reflecting on experiences and learning from them.
So, do you know what the Gibbs Model of Reflection is? Or how does the Gibbs Cycle work? If not, then no worries. This blog will let you know every detail of this cycle. The primary goal of the Gibbs Cycle Model is to enrich systematic thinking so that you can find an effective conclusion to your situation. However, the drawbacks generated can help you gather understanding and courage to do better in the future.
Gibbs Reflection Model
You have probably come across the term reflection in numerous contexts. It’s something that you encounter every day while grooming. However, this term carries deep significance. That’s right. The Reflective Cycle takes on an extraordinary meaning as it goes beyond looking at the physical aspect of your personality. It involves many facts, such as your ability to do your work, your philosophy, your approaches, your outcomes, and the list goes on.
Did you know this cycle is also as popular as Graham Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle? It was developed by Graham Gibbs in 1988 to provide a format for understanding experiences. After the major changes in different sectors, Gibbs’s learning cycle helped people out. This action improved the individuals’ ability and attention to analyse any major task they were engaged in.
The Six Stages of the Gibbs Cycle
You must know that the ability to constantly learn from new experiences is an essential skill when it comes to Learning and Development (L&D). However, professionals are continuously inquiring to enhance the plans and improve the outcomes.
Do you know the Gibbs Cycle of Reflection provides a structured framework for reflection? Being an invaluable tool in the journey of professional development, it enables people to thoroughly analyse their experience and find meaningful insights for the future.
The cycle consists of six key stages, which help individuals systematically analyse a situation, consider their thoughts and feelings, and develop a plan for future action.
1. Description
The description is the first step that involves neutrally detailing the experience or event. In this stage of the Gibbs Method of Reflection, you describe the situation or experience you want to reflect on. This includes answering questions such as: What happened? Who was involved? When and where did it occur? What were the key events? This step lays the groundwork for analysis without yet delving into decisions or conclusions.
2. Feelings
The other significant step for elevating your reflection skills with the Gibbs Cycle is feelings. Here, you explore your thoughts and feelings about the experience. How did you feel at the time? What are your current feelings about the situation? This step has significance for acknowledging your own reactions and biases that may influence decisions or perceptions.
3. Evaluation
Any procedure is incomplete without evaluation, as it is the key to achieving the desired goal. In the evaluation stage, you assess the experience, both positively and negatively. What went well? Or What did not go well? What was the impact of the experience? So, if you want to reach your goals, then start focusing on evaluation.
4. Analysis
The deeper you analyse the data, the better the outcome you get. Analysing your findings means encouraging a thorough examination of any scenario. You know what? While understanding the underlying facts behind the results, you may explore the dynamics and identify the data that you require to influence the success. Here, you try to make sense of the situation. Why did things happen the way they did? What factors contributed to the outcome? What assumptions or beliefs influenced your actions?
5. Conclusion
The conclusion in your Gibbs Reflective Framework is always based on your analysis. This happens when you conclude the experience. What have you learned? What would you do differently if a similar situation arose in the future? This shows what could have been done in different aspects. It even involves recognising the lessons and acknowledging the awareness, skills, or attitudes that can enhance your or any other individual’s future performance.
6. Action Plan
Last but not least, when it comes to an action plan in the Gibbs Reflective Theory, you develop a plan for how you will apply what you have learned. What specific actions will you take going forward? How will you implement these changes? Even though it is the final stage of this cycle, still restates reflection into actionable steps.
Benefits of Using the Reflective Cycle
Whether you are a student, a professional, or someone looking to grow and develop, the Gibbs Cycle can be a valuable resource in your lifelong learning journey. Gibbs Reflective offers several benefits for personal and professional development:
- Gibbs Cycle Reference provides a structured reflection approach, making learning from experiences easier.
- It encourages a deeper level of analysis, leading to more meaningful insights and learning.
- Gibbs Model Reflection helps individuals develop self-awareness and the ability to identify areas for improvement.
- The Gibbs Reflective Theory can be applied to a wide range of experiences, from personal to professional.
- The Gibbs 1988 Model of Reflection can be used as a tool for continuous learning and development.
Criticisms of the Reflective Cycle
Now that you know so much about the Gibbs cycle, let’s just discuss the criticisms or problems that this cycle usually faces. Even though this cycle uncovers inconsistencies in thought and action, improves emotions, reduces burnout, minimises professional development, and demonstrates professional performance, multiple reasons lead it to face some criticism. Here are some of them:
The Model of the Gibbs Cycle is Monotonous
You probably heard about this cycle being monotonous from many individuals. However, there needs to be more opportunity for growth in the six-stage approach. It usually creates repetitive essays.
Specified Paragraphs by the Reflective Cycle
Among other criticisms, you may have noticed that the majority of Gibbs model implementations limit candidates to writing a singular paragraph for each level of the cycle. It usually creates repetitive essays. This act leads to poor performance as the essay length increases, which results in poor descriptions and emotions.
Cycles may Result in Passing Thoughts
The other criticism of Gibbs model is that it doesn’t require the writer to reflect on the ideas that guided their behavior during the encounter.
The Reflective cycle is inefficient at making Connections
Another complaint that authors usually have is that there is a wasted chance to show depth if the experience is separate from other events.
The Reflector Receives Too Much Concentration in the Gibbs Cycle
As reflection is a highly individualized process, numerous methods consider other individuals. The Gibbs Model of Reflection is stuck in self-analysis which is why the reflections might be self-serving rather than personally beneficial.
The Reflective Cycle doesn’t ask challenging Questions
Do you know some of the cycle’s characteristics, as shown in the overview, may undoubtedly be combined with intelligent, probing inquiries? That’s right. That’s the reason it must be recovered before passing judgements.
The Gibbs Model does not Foster Critical Thought
The cycle includes elements for analysis and assessment, but they are well-defined. However, while working on any assigned task, evaluation and analysis should allow for critical thinking, but it still needs work.
Selecting the Assignment Services for Assistance with the Gibbs Cycle
Now that we have discussed how the Gibbs Reflective works, it is time for you to put it into your daily practice and produce a better result this time. However, if you still seek assistance, you can contact professionals assignment writing helper UK and let them handle your task.
A professional with a good understanding of the Gibbs reflection model can help you with your subject. But wait. Is it challenging for you to choose the right professional? If so, then here are the qualities that may help you evaluate a person and his work:
- The professionals must be highly knowledgeable subject-matter experts.
- The person must be able to create unique, non-plagiarised content.
- Editing and proofreading are crucial when it comes to the Gibbs reflection cycle and seeking an expert’s help.
- The professional must provide assured quality of your assigned task.
Gibbs Cycle: Pros and Cons
The Gibbs model of reflection has numerous pros and cons that you should be aware of. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of this cycle:
Pros
- Gibbs’ cycle is adaptable to various professions and industries, which is why it is a universally applicable tool.
- You get better at it as you practice more.
- The model of the reflective cycle is simple to use, as the structured, step-by-step approach is straightforward for anyone to follow.
- This theory allows for reflection at your own pace. It fits into various schedules and time constraints.
- This cycle enables you to apply the technique repeatedly and with various outcomes.
- You gain excellent stability and more reliable judgment through practice.
Cons
- The reflective model primarily focuses on personal reflection and may overlook the value of external feedback and outlooks.
- The Gibbs model demands a high degree of self-discipline and motivation to engage thoroughly in the process.
- It provides honest and constructive feedback to oneself. This can be challenging and might require developing specific skills in self-assessment.
- This cycle has a reactive approach rather than a proactive one.
Final Thoughts
The Gibbs Reflective is a powerful tool for reflective practice. So if you are thinking about gaining valuable insights, then you can systematically work through the six stages of the cycle. This will help you learn from your experiences and develop strategies for improvement.