Understanding Gibbs' Reflective Cycle During Teaching Practicum

Gibbs' Reflective Cycle is a helpful tool created by Graham Gibbs in 1988. It provides a simple way for teachers, especially those in training, to think about their classroom experiences. By using this cycle, you can learn more about yourself and how to be a better teacher. The cycle has six steps: Description, Feelings, Evaluation, Analysis, Conclusion, and Action Plan. Knowing these steps can really improve your experience in teaching.

Teaching Practicum

Thinking on the Spot: In teaching, things often change quickly. Using Gibbs' cycle helps you think about what’s happening during or right after your lessons. This helps you understand the events better as they happen.

Keeping a Journal: Writing in a reflective journal is a great way to keep track of your teaching journey. It allows you to look back on your experiences and prepares you for evaluations and assessments.

Breaking Down the Steps

1. Description: Start by describing what happened during your lesson. Ask yourself:

   • What occurred?
   • Who was there?
   • Where did it take place?

   This step helps you recall important details so you can think about them later.

2. Feelings: Think about how you felt before, during, and after the lesson. Reflect on:

   • What were your emotions?
   • Were there moments that surprised you?

   Understanding your feelings can help you realize how they impact your teaching style and how you connect with students.

3. Evaluation: Now it’s time to look at the good and bad parts of your teaching:

   • What worked well?
   • What didn’t go as planned?

   Evaluating these elements gives you a clear view of your teaching strengths and what you could do better.

4. Analysis: This step involves digging deeper into your experiences. Think about:

   • Why did some things go well or poorly?
   • Which teaching methods worked and which didn’t?

   Examining your experiences more closely helps you understand teaching theories and how they relate to your practice.

5. Conclusion: From your analysis, what can you conclude?

   • What lessons did you learn?
   • How will this affect how you teach in the future?

   Making conclusions helps you set goals for how to improve your teaching.

6. Action Plan: This final step is about planning for the future:

   • What will you change next time?
   • What new skills do you want to learn?

   Having an action plan keeps you focused on growing and improving as a teacher.

Why Use Gibbs’ Model?

• Organized Reflection: Gibbs' cycle helps keep your thoughts organized, making it easier to think about your teaching experiences.

• Better Critical Thinking: Working through each step helps you think critically about what happened, which is important for adapting your lessons to different classroom situations.

• Improving Teaching Skills: Regularly reflecting on your teaching helps you become better at meeting students' needs.

Using Other Models

Gibbs' model is great, but you can also look at other models, like Schön's Reflection-in-Action. This model focuses on making adjustments while you are teaching. Combining strategies from Gibbs and Schön can help you be more flexible and responsive during your lessons.

Challenges to Keep in Mind

• Finding Time: The steps in Gibbs’ model can take time. Try to set aside specific times for reflection to make sure you do it regularly.

• Balancing Feelings and Facts: It can be tricky to balance your feelings with objective insights. Remember to be aware of your biases and try to evaluate things fairly.

• Ongoing Growth: Reflection shouldn’t stop after your practicum. Keep using what you learn to set long-term goals for your teaching career.

How to Put It into Action

Here are some easy ways to use Gibbs' Reflective Cycle during your practicum:

1. Keep a Reflective Journal: Write down your thoughts after each teaching session using the steps of Gibbs’ model.

2. Ask for Feedback: Regularly get input from others, like peers and mentors. Their perspectives can help you see things you might miss.

3. Build a Support Network: Talk to other student teachers about your reflections. Sharing can give you new ideas and insights.

4. Use Digital Tools: Consider using apps that help with reflection. They can make it easier to record and review your thoughts.

5. Aim for Continuous Improvement: Keep setting goals for yourself as you grow as a teacher. This mindset will help you stay committed to learning.

Conclusion

Using Gibbs' Reflective Cycle while you are in a teaching practicum is essential for your growth as a teacher. By thoughtfully examining your experiences through these steps, you can gain valuable insights that will improve your teaching. When you combine Gibbs’ model with others, you’ll build a more effective teaching style. Always strive to make reflection a part of your teaching journey, as it will help you become a more skilled and caring educator.