A reflective account is a structured analysis of an experience. Reflective models provide a framework to give a structure to your reflective account.
Key Takeaways
- Reflective models help structure your thoughts and improve analysis in academic, professional, and personal learning contexts.
- There are multiple reflective models that offer a framework to write a reflective account. Four of the most used models are Gibbs, Kolb, Schön, and APDR, which offer a clear structure suited to different goals, styles, and professional environments.
- Choosing the right model improves clarity, critical thinking, and helps turn experiences into actionable improvements.
Writing a reflection involves more than simply describing what happened; it also examines how thoughts, actions, and outcomes are connected, often with a focus on improving future performance. Many learners struggle to write structured and meaningful reflections. Without a model, reflections can become vague or repetitive.
Unstructured reflections often lose clarity and fail to produce meaningful learning. This is the reason reflective models are necessary. Reflective models are structured tools that help guide individuals through the reflective process. They are commonly used in academic, vocational, and professional development contexts to turn everyday experiences into opportunities for learning.
This blog will outline four widely used reflective models: Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle, Schön’s Reflection Theory, Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle, and the Assess-Plan-Do-Review (APDR) model. Each model provides a clear format for analysis and their application to write a clear and effective reflective account.
Why Use Reflective Models in Your Writing?
Reflective models offer a step-by-step approach. They help you stay focused, identify lessons learned, and plan improvements. They also encourage critical thinking, pushing you to explore assumptions, analyse causes, and consider alternatives.
Reflective models provide a framework to help you break down an experience into specific stages. Writing a reflective activity without a structure often leads to generalisations or repetition. Reflective models make it easier for you to follow and improve your reflection.
Check out this blog here: How to Write a Reflective Account? To get a step-by-step guide for learners and professionals.
What Reflective Models Can You Use to Improve Your Writing?
There are several reflective models to enhance the writing structure of your reflective account. Below are a few models that learners and professionals widely use.
1. Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle
David Kolb’s model is based on the idea that learning is a continuous process grounded in experience. The model is cyclical, with four interconnected stages that support learners in analysing experiences and applying knowledge to future situations. The four stages of Kolb’s experiential learning cycle are as follows:
- Concrete Experience: The starting point of the cycle. You engage in a specific experience, whether in the classroom, workplace, or training session.
- Reflective Observation: You pause and think about what happened. What did you observe? What stood out? What emotions or reactions occurred?
- Abstract Conceptualisation: This stage focuses on forming ideas or drawing conclusions. What can you learn from this experience? How does it connect to theory or broader principles?
- Active Experimentation: In the last step, you apply the insights to future actions. What will you do differently? What strategies will you try next time?
This model is considered the best for:
- Practical learning environments
- Learning through hands-on experience
2. Schön’s Reflection Model
Schön’s Reflection Model was developed by Donald Schön. This model is widely used in professional learning where reflective thinking happens both during and after action while emphasising responsiveness and adaptability, especially in real-time situations.
Schön’s model has two modes, which are as follows:
- Reflection-in-Action: Thinking on your feet. You analyse and adapt while still involved in the task. This kind of reflection helps you adjust your behaviour in the moment.
- Reflection-on-Action: Thinking after the event. Once the task is complete, you step back to assess what occurred, why it happened, and what could be improved.
This model is best used for:
- Situations that demand quick decision-making, like teaching, healthcare, or social work
- Improvement of professional judgement and responsiveness
3. Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle
Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle, introduced by Graham Gibbs in 1988, provides one of the best frameworks for reflective writing. Its popularity stems from its clarity and practicality. The model has six different stages. Each stage encourages you to dive deep into your thinking and experiences.
The six stages of this model are as follows:
- Description: The first stage is purely factual. It sets the scene by outlining the situation without interpretation. Focus only on the key facts without making judgments, who was involved, what happened, where and when it took place.
- Feelings: Now the reflection turns inward. This stage asks you to articulate your emotional and psychological responses to the situation.
- Evaluation: Evaluation is about making sense of the effectiveness of a situation. You assess what went well and what didn’t, but without yet digging into why. This sets the foundation for more complex analysis in the next stage.
- Analysis: This is the most intellectually demanding part of the cycle. Analysis involves examining beneath the surface and exploring potential causes, contributing factors, and theoretical connections. This is the stage at which learning happens.
- Conclusion: In this stage, you consider alternative approaches. If the same situation occurred again, what would you repeat, and what would you change? It is about realisation and recognition.
- Action Plan: In the final stage, you will plan how you will adjust your behaviour, decision-making, or practice in future scenarios. This might include setting learning goals, seeking support, or identifying training needs. The key here is turning reflection into improvement.
This model is best for:
- Structured academic reflection
- CPD logs and professional reviews
- Fields such as nursing, education, and training
4. Assess, Plan, Do, Review (APDR) Cycle
The APDR model focuses on action. It is used in personal development plans, project planning, and professional goal-setting. APDR follows a pragmatic approach, encouraging learners and professionals to identify needs, act upon them, and assess outcomes.
The Four Steps of the APDR cycle are as follows:
- Assess: In this first step, you will recognise the current situation, gap, problem and goals. it involves self-evaluation.
- Plan: In this stage, you will plan clear and achievable actions. This might involve setting SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
- Do: You will implement your strategy and apply planned methods. It is important to remain flexible and observant in this stage.
- Review: You will evaluate the processes that have worked and those that have not. You will also reflect on what could have changed. This feeds directly into the next Assess stage, making APDR a continuous, cyclical process.
APDR Cycle is useful for:
- A goal-focused reflection
- Those who prefer action-based methods
- Supporting accountability and measurable growth
- Setting goals, tracking professional development and evaluating performance over time
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Which Model Should I Choose?
Choosing the right reflection model depends on the context, purpose, and preferred style of reflection.
Here is the Reflective Model Comparison Table to help you quickly compare the different models and choose the one that best fits your learning style, professional context, or reflective writing needs.
Model | Best For | Key Features |
Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle | Academic assignments, CPD logs, and formal reflections | Six clear stages; encourages detailed and structured reflection |
Schön’s Model | Real-time practitioners (e.g., teachers, nurses, social workers) | Focus on reflection-in-action and on-action; useful in fast-paced environments |
Kolb’s Learning Cycle | Vocational learners, work placements, hands-on training | Experiential learning through four stages, ideal for applying learning to practice |
Assess, Plan, Do, Review (APDR) | Goal-setting, performance reviews and workplace improvement | Practical, easy-to-use cycle for personal/professional development |
Still not sure?
- Choose Gibbs if you need step-by-step guidance.
- Choose Schön if you reflect during tasks.
- Choose Kolb if your learning is experience-based.
Choose APDR if you are planning or reviewing personal/professional goals
Conclusion
Effective reflective writing involves critically examining actions, emotions, and outcomes to inform future practice. Reflective models such as Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle, Schön’s Reflection Theory, Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle, and the APDR model provide structure and clarity, helping writers move from surface-level descriptions to meaningful analysis.
Each model offers unique strengths depending on the learning context and objective. Whether you’re writing an academic assignment, recording CPD evidence, or evaluating workplace performance, using the right model can enhance the quality and impact of your reflection. By applying a structured approach, you not only improve your writing but also deepen your learning and professional development.
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