Gibbs’ Model and Rolfe’s Framework are two popular ways for teachers to think about their experiences. Knowing how they differ can really help teachers improve their practice during hands-on learning times.

Gibbs’ Model was created by Graham Gibbs in 1988. It has six important steps to guide reflection:

1. Description: What happened? This step focuses on telling the facts of the situation without sharing personal opinions or feelings. This helps set the stage for deeper thinking.

2. Feelings: How did you feel? Here, teachers think about their emotions and how those feelings connect to what happened.

3. Evaluation: What went well and what didn’t? This encourages a balanced look at both the positive and negative parts of the experience.

4. Analysis: What does it all mean? This step is about understanding the experience better and linking it to what they’ve learned before.

5. Conclusion: What could you do differently? Here, teachers think about other choices they could have made during the situation.

6. Action Plan: If it happens again, what will you do? This last step is all about planning for improvement in the future.

On the other hand, Rolfe’s Framework, created by Gary Rolfe, is simpler. It focuses on three main questions that help guide reflection:

1. What?: This asks for a brief description of the experience, just like Gibbs, but it is less detailed to make space for more free thinking.

2. So What?: This question digs into why the experience matters. It encourages reflection on feelings and what the experience means for personal or professional growth.

3. Now What?: This final question asks what teachers will do next, helping them to make plans for the future without too much extra detail.

Key Differences:

1. Structure:

   • Gibbs’ Model is very detailed, guiding teachers through many steps for deeper reflection.
   • Rolfe’s Framework is straightforward, making it easy to follow with just three main questions.

2. Depth of Reflection:

   • Gibbs’ Model promotes a thorough look at feelings and actions.
   • Rolfe’s Framework allows for faster thinking but still encourages important insights.

3. Feelings:

   • In Gibbs’ Model, feelings are a separate step, showing their importance in reflection.
   • In Rolfe’s Framework, feelings are part of the "So What?" step, keeping their role without needing a special focus.

4. When to Use:

   • Gibbs’ Model is great for new teachers who need more guidance and detailed reflection.
   • Rolfe’s Framework works better for experienced teachers looking for quicker insights without much complexity.

5. Reflection Style:

   • Gibbs’ Model is cyclical, meaning reflection can connect back to new experiences for ongoing learning.
   • Rolfe’s Framework is linear, leading directly to future actions, which makes it easier to think about next steps.

6. Easy to Use:

   • Gibbs’ Model takes more time due to its complexity—good for in-depth thinking after experiences.
   • Rolfe's questions can be used more flexibly in many situations, making them practical for quick reflections.

Both models are helpful for teachers when thinking about their experiences. Depending on their needs and situations, teachers can choose to use either model during their teaching practice.

As teachers learn about these models, they might find that both can help them understand their teaching better. Using both models can lead to a richer understanding, helping teachers grow in their professions.