Applying the Gibbs’ Reflective Model
‘It is not sufficient simply to have an experience in order to learn. Without reflecting upon this experience it may quickly be forgotten, or its learning potential lost. It is from the feelings and thoughts emerging from this reflection that generalisations or concepts can be generated and it is generalisations that allow new situations to be
tackled effectively.’
Using this 6 step model should help to identify your strengths, areas for development and actions
you can take to enhance your professional skills. Steps 1 – 3 relate to what happened during the
experience and steps 4 – 6 focus on how you could improve on the experience and outcome in the
future.
Step 1 – Description
This should be a brief description of the experience or event to set the scene and give context.
Step 2 – Feelings
Consider what you were thinking and how you felt before the experience.
How did you feel during the experience?
How did you feel after the experience?
This is another short descriptive step, rather than being analytical.
Description
Feeling
EvaluationAnalysis
Conclusion
Action Plan
Step 3 – Evaluation
Evaluation looks objectively at both positive and negative aspects of the experience.
Describe key elements that went particularly well.
Was there anything that did not go well or did not work?
If appropriate, you can include what others did or did not do
