ERA Reflective Cycle vs. Gibbs Reflective Cycle

Attribute	ERA Reflective Cycle	Gibbs Reflective Cycle
Origin	Developed by Barbara Carper in 1978	Developed by Graham Gibbs in 1988
Number of stages	6 stages	6 stages
Focus	Emphasizes emotions and feelings	Emphasizes actions and outcomes
Structure	Structured in a circular manner	Structured in a linear manner
Application	Commonly used in healthcare and nursing	Commonly used in education and social sciences

Introduction

Reflective practice is an essential component of professional development in various fields, including education, healthcare, and social work. Two popular models for reflective practice are the ERA Reflective Cycle and the Gibbs Reflective Cycle. Both models provide a structured framework for individuals to reflect on their experiences, learn from them, and improve their practice. In this article, we will compare the attributes of these two reflective cycles to help you understand their similarities and differences.

ERA Reflective Cycle

The ERA Reflective Cycle, developed by Dr. Jennifer Moon, consists of four stages: Experience, Reflection, Action, and Evaluation. In the Experience stage, individuals describe the situation or experience they want to reflect on. This stage encourages individuals to provide a detailed account of the event, including their thoughts, feelings, and actions. The Reflection stage involves exploring the experience further by analyzing the thoughts and emotions that arose during the event. This stage helps individuals gain insight into their reactions and behaviors.

In the Action stage, individuals consider how they could have responded differently to the situation or how they can apply their learning to future experiences. This stage focuses on developing action plans for improvement based on the insights gained from reflection. The Evaluation stage involves assessing the effectiveness of the actions taken and reflecting on the outcomes of those actions. This stage helps individuals identify what worked well and what could be improved in their practice.

Gibbs Reflective Cycle

The Gibbs Reflective Cycle, developed by Graham Gibbs, is a six-stage model that includes Description, Feelings, Evaluation, Analysis, Conclusion, and Action Plan. In the Description stage, individuals provide a detailed account of the event or experience they want to reflect on, similar to the Experience stage in the ERA Reflective Cycle. The Feelings stage involves exploring the emotions and thoughts that arose during the event, allowing individuals to gain a deeper understanding of their reactions.

The Evaluation stage in the Gibbs Reflective Cycle focuses on assessing the positive and negative aspects of the experience, similar to the Evaluation stage in the ERA Reflective Cycle. The Analysis stage involves breaking down the experience into its component parts and examining the factors that influenced the outcome. This stage helps individuals identify patterns and themes in their experiences.

In the Conclusion stage, individuals reflect on what they have learned from the experience and how it has impacted their practice. This stage encourages individuals to draw connections between their experiences and their professional development. The Action Plan stage involves developing strategies for future practice based on the insights gained from reflection.

Comparison

• Both the ERA Reflective Cycle and the Gibbs Reflective Cycle provide a structured framework for individuals to reflect on their experiences.
• Both models include stages that encourage individuals to describe the event, explore their emotions and thoughts, evaluate the experience, analyze the factors that influenced the outcome, draw conclusions, and develop action plans for improvement.
• The ERA Reflective Cycle consists of four stages, while the Gibbs Reflective Cycle consists of six stages.
• The ERA Reflective Cycle focuses on Experience, Reflection, Action, and Evaluation, while the Gibbs Reflective Cycle includes Description, Feelings, Evaluation, Analysis, Conclusion, and Action Plan.
• Both models emphasize the importance of learning from experiences, identifying areas for improvement, and developing action plans for professional development.

Conclusion

Reflective practice is a valuable tool for professional development, allowing individuals to learn from their experiences, improve their practice, and enhance their skills. The ERA Reflective Cycle and the Gibbs Reflective Cycle are two popular models that provide structured frameworks for reflective practice. While both models share similarities in their approach to reflection, they also have distinct attributes that set them apart. By understanding the differences between these two reflective cycles, individuals can choose the model that best suits their needs and preferences for reflective practice.