Gibbs Reflective Cycle Example: A Complete Guide
Reflection is a critical part of learning. It helps us think critically about our experiences, identify areas for improvement, and plan how to act differently in the future. Among all reflective models, one of the most widely used in higher education and nursing practice is the Gibbs Reflective Cycle (1988), developed by Professor Graham Gibbs.
This blog explains the six stages of Gibbs’ cycle, provides an extended Gibbs reflective cycle example, and shows how to apply this model of reflection for personal and professional growth.
Gibbs Reflective Cycle: Definition and Background
The Gibbs reflective cycle is a model of reflection introduced by Graham Gibbs in 1988 as a guide to teaching and learning methods. It was designed to help students and professionals make sense of what happened in an event and then use those insights to inform future actions.
- It consists of six stages: Description, Feelings, Evaluation, Analysis, Conclusion, and Action Plan.
- The cycle helps learners move beyond surface thinking into deeper levels of reflection.
- It is often used in reflective practice models in nursing, where accurate self-assessment and structured improvement are vital to patient care.
- According to the Gibbs reflective cycle reference, it provides a clear framework for evaluating positive and negative experiences.
Reflection: Why It Matters
Reflection is more than remembering what happened—it is the process of reflection that allows individuals to:
- Think critically about their experiences.
- Recognize what went well and what could have been done differently.
- Extract valuable insights that can improve future practice.
- Enhance communication style, teamwork, and professional development.
Reflection can be divided into reflection-in-action (while the event is happening) and reflection-on-action (after the event). Gibbs’ model is particularly suited to reflection-on-action as it helps learners step back, review, and develop a more nuanced understanding.
Evaluation: A Key Step in Reflection
The evaluation stage in Gibbs’ cycle is central. Here, individuals identify what was working well and what did not go as planned.
- Positive: Recognising what was effective and why it succeeded.
- Negative: Identifying weak points and areas for improvement.
This balanced evaluation ensures that the reflection does not become overly critical or self-congratulatory, but instead creates learning opportunities.
Gibbs Reflective Cycle Example
To demonstrate how the cycle works, here’s a Gibbs reflective cycle example from nursing practice.
Situation (Description):
A student nurse was involved in the situation of administering medication during a clinical placement. A patient became anxious when the procedure was explained.
Feelings:
The nurse felt nervous, unsure of the patient’s emotional response, and worried about making mistakes.
Evaluation:
- What went well: The nurse remained calm, explained the steps, and completed the task safely.
- Negative aspects: Communication could have been clearer, and the patient’s anxiety might have been reduced with more reassurance.
Analysis:
The nurse reflected that teaching and learning methods, such as role-playing scenarios in workshops, could have prepared them better. Drawing on Kolb’s experiential learning cycle, they recognised the importance of rehearsal in learning from experiences.
Conclusion:
The experience highlighted the need for better patient communication and improved confidence when explaining procedures.
Action Plan:
- Attend workshops that focus on patient communication.
- Seek feedback to improve interaction with patients.
- Plan with a mentor to practice communication strategies.
- Incorporate reflection into the revalidation process for continued professional development.
Gibbs Reflective Cycle Example in Nursing Practice
Description:
During a clinical placement, a nurse student administered medication but noticed the patient was anxious.
Feelings:
The nurse felt nervous and unsure how to calm the patient.
Evaluation:
- Positive: The medication was administered safely.
- Negative: Communication could have been more empathetic to reassure the patient.
Analysis:
Role-play training could have prepared the nurse to handle patient anxiety better. Reflective practice models in nursing emphasize communication skills as central to safe care.
Conclusion:
Improved communication and emotional support are needed.
Action Plan:
Attend workshops that focus on patient interactions, seek feedback to improve, and use reflection to enhance professional development and revalidation.
Gibbs Reflective Cycle Example in Education
Description:
A teacher delivered a group activity in class, but some students were disengaged.
Feelings:
The teacher felt frustrated because the lesson did not go as expected.
Evaluation:
- Positive: Some students collaborated well.
- Negative: Others were off-task, suggesting unclear instructions.
Analysis:
Using teaching and learning methods like clearer guidance and differentiated tasks could have engaged more students.
Conclusion:
Lesson plans should anticipate varied student abilities and learning styles.
Action Plan:
Next time, provide written as well as verbal instructions, and plan with a mentor to trial new strategies.
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Gibbs Reflective Cycle Example in Business
Description:
A project manager led a team meeting to introduce a new tool, but the discussion went off-topic.
Feelings:
They felt disappointed that objectives were not fully covered.
Evaluation:
- Positive: The team asked thoughtful questions.
- Negative: Time management was weak, and some points were missed.
Analysis:
The manager realised their communication style needed to be clearer and more structured. Effective time management strategies could have helped.
Conclusion:
Better planning is needed for complex meetings.
Action Plan:
Use agendas, stick to time slots, and implement regular reflection-on-action after meetings to improve their practice.
Gibbs Reflective Cycle Example in Social Work
Description:
A social worker conducted a home visit where a family resisted discussing sensitive issues.
Feelings:
The worker felt uneasy and unsure whether they had built enough trust.
Evaluation:
- Positive: The family agreed to a follow-up visit.
- Negative: Immediate concerns were not fully addressed.
Analysis:
Applying theories of experiential learning and relationship-building might have helped the worker gain rapport.
Conclusion:
Patience and consistency are vital in sensitive cases.
Action Plan:
Develop strategies for building trust over time, regularly review progress with a supervisor, and incorporate reflection into daily practice.
Gibbs Reflective Cycle Example in Personal Development
Description:
An individual gave a presentation at a university seminar but struggled with confidence.
Feelings:
They felt anxious and rushed through the slides.
Evaluation:
- Positive: They covered all the material.
- Negative: Delivery lacked clarity and confidence.
Analysis:
Practice sessions and feedback could have improved performance. Reflection-in-action during the presentation could also have slowed the pace.
Conclusion:
Confidence needs to be developed through preparation.
Action Plan:
Practice presentations with peers, record and review delivery, and focus on learning opportunities to build self-assurance.
6 Stages of the Gibbs Model
The six stages of the Gibbs model of reflection are what make it one of the most popular reflective practice models:
- Description – Describing the situation, account of the event, and who was involved in the situation.
- Feelings – Exploring your emotional response and initial reactions.
- Evaluation – Identifying what went well and what could have been improved.
- Analysis – Examining why things happened as they did, linking to teaching and learning methods or theories.
- Conclusion – Summarising the key lessons and areas for improvement.
- Action Plan – Creating strategies to improve future practice and handle similar situations more effectively.
This structured reflection process ensures that individuals not only analyze their experiences but also create an action plan to improve outcomes.
Action Plan: Turning Reflection Into Future Actions
The action plan stage is where reflection becomes most powerful. It allows learners to:
- Translate insightful reflection into future outcomes.
- Develop strategies for handling similar situations.
- Implement feedback to improve performance.
- Strengthen both personal and professional growth through ongoing reflective practice.
This makes Gibbs not just a reflective model, but a practical tool for professional development across healthcare, education, and other sectors.
Gibbs Model of Reflection and Professional Development
The Gibbs model of reflection supports professional development by encouraging practitioners to:
- Continuously reflect on their clinical experiences.
- Integrate reflection into their daily routines.
- Apply valuable insights to improve their practice.
- Recognise learning opportunities and handle similar situations effectively in the future.
For many nurses, teachers, and allied professionals, using Gibbs has become an integral part of the revalidation process and ongoing learning and development.
Reflection Process: A Structured Approach
The reflection process outlined by Gibbs provides a clear framework for individuals to make sense of what happened, dive deeper into the situation, and apply experiential learning to inform future actions.
- It aligns with Kolb’s experiential learning cycle, but provides more detail on emotional and evaluative dimensions.
- It helps learners summarize the key takeaways, understanding the complexities of practice.
- It is particularly valued as a guide to teaching and learning in higher education.
Summary
The Gibbs reflective cycle example demonstrates how structured reflective practice can transform real-life experiences into learning opportunities. By following its six stages, learners can:
- Recognise what went well and what could have been done differently.
- Gain valuable insights for personal and professional growth.
- Create an action plan stage to improve future performance.
- Embed reflection into teaching and learning methods and nursing practice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How to Write Gibbs Reflective Cycle Example?
Writing a Gibbs reflective cycle example involves moving step by step through the reflective process. Each step of the Gibbs reflective model—description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, and action plan—guides you to structure your writing.
- Begin with background information: briefly describe the event or situation.
- Explore your understanding of the situation by noting your feelings and responses.
- Evaluate what went well and what did not, and then analyze why.
- Summarize lessons learned and create an action plan to inform your future actions.
At IvyResearchWriters.com, our experts provide tailored examples, so you can see how to make reflection academically strong and professionally useful.
What is the Gibbs Reflective Cycle in Simple Terms?
In simple terms, the Gibbs cycle is a reflective model that helps you make sense of your experiences.
- It was designed to help people learn from their experiences by following six logical stages.
- The cycle helps you make reflection structured instead of vague or random.
- Ultimately, it guides you to turn experience into valuable insights that inform your future actions.
How Can I Use Gibbs’ Cycle at Work?
You can use Gibbs’ cycle at work by applying it to daily tasks, meetings, and professional interactions.
- After an event, write a short account of what happened (reflection-on-action) and analyze your responses.
- During work, you can even use reflection-in-action, adjusting in real-time by drawing on previous insights.
- By using the Gibbs model regularly, you strengthen decision-making, communication, and self-awareness.
Professionals across nursing, education, business, and healthcare use Gibbs to provide valuable insights into practice and develop strategies for growth.
What are Some Examples of Reflective Learning?
Reflective learning involves reviewing your experiences and learning from them through structured thinking. Examples include:
- A nurse reviewing a patient interaction to help you make sense of communication challenges.
- A teacher reflecting on classroom management to discover learning and make improvements for next lessons.
- A manager analyzing a project meeting to identify what worked well and what could change.
All of these examples show how using the Gibbs model can help you make reflection meaningful, extract lessons, and apply them in similar situations effectively.
