Frook and Gardner's vs. Gibbs Reflective Cycle

Attribute	Frook and Gardner's	Gibbs Reflective Cycle
Structure	5 stages: Description, Feelings, Evaluation, Analysis, Conclusion	6 stages: Description, Feelings, Evaluation, Analysis, Conclusion, Action Plan
Focus	Emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving	Emphasis on learning from experiences and improving practice
Application	Commonly used in education and training settings	Commonly used in healthcare and professional development
Origin	Developed by Frook and Gardner	Developed by Graham Gibbs

Introduction

Reflective practice is an essential component of professional development in various fields, including education, healthcare, and business. Two popular models for reflective practice are Frook and Gardner's Reflective Cycle and 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 Frook and Gardner's and Gibbs Reflective Cycle to understand their similarities and differences.

Overview of Frook and Gardner's Reflective Cycle

Frook and Gardner's Reflective Cycle is a six-stage model that guides individuals through the process of reflection. The stages include description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, and action plan. In the description stage, individuals describe the situation or experience they are reflecting on. The feelings stage involves exploring the emotions and thoughts that arose during the experience. The evaluation stage requires individuals to assess the positive and negative aspects of the experience. The analysis stage involves breaking down the experience and identifying key factors. The conclusion stage is where individuals draw conclusions and insights from the reflection. Finally, the action plan stage involves planning for future actions based on the reflection.

Overview of Gibbs Reflective Cycle

Gibbs Reflective Cycle is another widely used model for reflective practice. It consists of six stages: description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, and action plan. The description stage involves describing the experience in detail. The feelings stage focuses on exploring the emotions and thoughts that emerged during the experience. The evaluation stage requires individuals to assess the experience objectively. The analysis stage involves breaking down the experience and identifying patterns or themes. The conclusion stage is where individuals draw conclusions and insights from the reflection. Finally, the action plan stage involves planning for future actions based on the reflection.

Comparison of Attributes

While both Frook and Gardner's and Gibbs Reflective Cycle share similarities in their structure and stages, there are some key differences between the two models. One notable difference is the order of the stages. Frook and Gardner's Reflective Cycle starts with the description stage, followed by feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, and action plan. In contrast, Gibbs Reflective Cycle begins with the description stage, followed by feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, and action plan. This difference in the order of stages may impact how individuals approach the reflection process and the insights they gain from it.

Another difference between the two models is the emphasis on emotions. Frook and Gardner's Reflective Cycle explicitly includes a stage for exploring feelings, while Gibbs Reflective Cycle integrates feelings throughout the reflection process. This difference in emphasis may influence how individuals engage with their emotions during reflection and the depth of insight they gain from examining their feelings.

Additionally, Frook and Gardner's Reflective Cycle places a strong emphasis on action planning in the final stage, encouraging individuals to develop concrete plans for applying their insights to future practice. In contrast, Gibbs Reflective Cycle also includes an action plan stage but may not emphasize it as strongly as Frook and Gardner's model. This difference in emphasis on action planning may impact the extent to which individuals are able to translate their reflections into tangible changes in their practice.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Frook and Gardner's and Gibbs Reflective Cycle are valuable models for guiding reflective practice and professional development. While they share similarities in their structure and stages, there are key differences in the order of stages, emphasis on emotions, and focus on action planning. Individuals may find that one model resonates more with their preferred reflective style or goals for improvement. Ultimately, the choice between Frook and Gardner's and Gibbs Reflective Cycle will depend on individual preferences and the specific context in which reflective practice is being applied.