Gibbs reflective cycle effects everyone continuously in their day to day lives, especially students who are studying at; school, college, university or any other educational setting.

Here we can view what Gibbs reflective cycle looks like;

http://www.northallertonvts.org.uk/eportfolio/reflection

This cycle can be used in everyday situations that will occur.  However as a student I will be applying it to different situations which arise in my course, then as a teacher I will apply this to any class lessons or situations I find myself within the classroom.

Bethany Alden Rivers video has helped me to understand what reflection is and how I can use the reflective cycle.

My break down of this video;

1. The process of reflection can help us to explore the thoughts and assumptions which we already have on certain areas that will allow us to come to conclusions with any problems we come across.  Normally when in an argument or misunderstanding with someone we compare our original thoughts to theirs in attempt to make sense of the information that is being confused.  In the end we come to a conclusion as both people have voiced their different thoughts where they will have reflected on the information shared to bring a full understanding to each individual.
2. When we are working together on a misunderstanding we are creating new knowledge together which we will continue on to use in a separate situation.  This will normally then make new information as it is being used with a new, separate experience therefore this is showing the cycle to be starting all over again.  This is the explanation of the cycle continuing.
3. Reflection is a way to actually take information from a topic/situation.  To allow information to be fully understood we need to use it in real life, therefore the Gibbs reflective cycle is important to all pupils or students as it involves an action plan before we start the cycle over.  This then links back to number 2 as by having an action plan we are using the new knowledge in a situation allowing us to manage our own learning.

Doing the task from the video and the other tasks from the online units I have came to the conclusion that reflecting is taking  information; new or old, from an experience or lesson and thinking deeply about it, making sense of it in your own way where the information is modified to suit you.  It’s then taking that information and applying it to a situation or using it in a real life situation which helps you to understand it fully.  Often reflecting is used in my own life when something negative happens and so I look at the information I received from the experience and I explore the issue to make sure I understand it fully.  I then think about what I can change about the information to allow it to be positive or for future experiences to be different from the negative one.  Another example of reflecting in my personal life is in lessons I learn new information which I focus on more and understand more thorough.  I then do an activity, write an essay or do a presentation on that piece of work which allows me to use it therefore it becomes information which I fully understand.  I can then use this and link it with any new information I learn later on in my education.

Reflecting is very important when it comes to my lifetime as a student as I will be constantly reflecting on my learning and my attitude towards my learning.  It is also very important when I make my development into a teacher as I will still constantly be reflecting but it’ll then be a reflection of my own lessons and my attitudes towards them and the children I’ll be teaching.  Reflection is an important part of life, we are continuously reflecting without even realising it.  However I feel as though it is important to use reflection in an effective way when learning to help with overall understanding of coursework.  Reflection will become increasingly more important as presentations and essays are marked or placement feedback is given as it will be essential to reflect on any marks or feedback to ensure a correct approach can be taken withe the next steps.