Kolb Reflective Cycle: An Insight into the Model of Reflection

If you’re a student, you might be acquainted with the word 'learning,' right? A few of you might also be aware of Kolb’s reflective cycle, too, right? But if not, don’t worry; the experts of Instant Assignment Help are here to assist you. This blog is curated by top-notch writers to help students get familiar with this concept of Kolb’s model of reflection. So, let’s dive into it!

What Is Kolb’s Reflective Cycle? | An Insight for Beginners

Before we rush into things, let’s take an insight into what is Kolb’s reflective cycle so that we can accordingly learn it better.

Basically, this is a model of reflection that can help one look into any experience, understand and analyze it before taking any action according to it. This is a simple model that is used for learning purposes, to go into the depths of any experience that a person has gone through and look at it from a different perspective to get the best out of it.

This is one of those popular learning models given by Kolb in the year 1984 in his famous book: “Experimental Learning: Experience as the source of learning and development.” Till date, this is considered as an effective approach among the top learning practices, which include: visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic.

Now, let’s take a look at the use of Kolb’s reflective model to better understand its importance.

Why Use Kolb’s Model of Learning? | Pros & Cons

When there are a few other popular learning models, you might be wondering why Kolb’s and what is so special about it. So, the answer is here! Out of all other learning techniques which are listed in the above section, experiential learning is found to be effective, be it for understanding or implementing. And Kolb’s model works on this concept. It has four main stages in which the whole process is carried out.

Wait, are you wondering what are the four stages of Kolb’s learning cycle? They are:

1. Concrete experience- This is the basic fundamental stage where you experience the situation.
2. Reflective observation- This is the step in which you look into the experience you had and shed light on it.
3. Abstract conceptualization- In this step, you summarize your experience and prepare a clear concept on it.
4. Active experimentation- This step is about actively taking participation based on your previous experience’s analysis.

These are the four main stages of this model that every student should know about so that he can proceed with this cycle in an effortless manner. But, before you can come to a conclusion whether to go with this or not, you must read the pros and cons of implementing this, which are stated below:

Are you looking for a Kolb’s reflective cycle reference that can aid you in understanding this concept and implementing it? If yes, go through the below section very carefully.

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How to Implement Kolb’s Reflective Model? (With Example)

Since many students ask our experts regarding, “How do you use Kolb’s learning cycle,” In this section, let us take a look into how to implement this model and make the best of it.

Step1: Draw the four sections on a paper divided into 4 segments, each representing the stages of this model: Concrete Experience, Reflective Observation, Abstract Conceptualization, and Active Experimentation.

Step 2: Focus on concrete experience, which deals with the sense of experience and feeling. In this stage, you participate in any activity and gain experience. Mention the activity you participated in and other details of the same in the first section.

Step 3: This step is for the second stage, where you watch and reflect. In this step, sit back and analyze how you performed in that activity, what decisions you made, what steps you followed, and mention the same in the second section of the paper.

Step 4: Here, you think and come up with concepts, and thus, this step is known as conceptualizing. In this step, you will analyze the steps you’ve taken, the results and their outcome, analyze the experience, and come up with new concepts, which you will note down in the third section of that paper.

Step 5: Now, the final step is where you take the step or actively participate as per the new concept you developed and reflect on how you can improve your performance. You can jot them all down in the final section of the paper.

This is your Kolb’s reflective cycle; you can accordingly draft a model out of these steps. Example: Consider a situation where you fail to submit an assignment on time and flunk in it. The cycle will go around like:

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List of 8 Other Learning Models of Reflection & Differentiation

Here is a list of a few reflective learning models that students often come across during their academics. You can also have a look and count the number of models you’ve learned or worked on to date. So, they are:

• Gibb’s Reflective Model (1988)
• Schon Model (1991)
• Driscoll Model (1994)
• Rolfe et al.’s Framework for Reflexive Learning (2001)
• John’s Model for Structured Reflection (2006)
• Atkin’s and Murphy Model (1993)
• Brookfield Model (2005)
• Mezirow Model of Transformative Learning (1981)

Many students get confused between these models of reflection, and one such common confusion is between Gibbs and Kolb’s reflective cycles. Often students ask our experts, “What is the difference between Kolb and Gibb’s reflective cycle?” If you also wonder the same, then here it is for you:

These are the simple points that can help you differentiate the two main reflective models- Gibb’s and Kolb’s. If you are working on either or both and got stuck in the cycle of poor grades, then read the below section.

Stuck in the Poor Grades Cycle? Turn to Experts!

If you are bored or got stuck in your academic work, be it about Kolb’s reflective cycle or some other, you can always turn to Instant Assignment Help. We have the best team of professionals who are working day and night to assist students across the globe with their academic troubles. So, no matter what time it is or what subject or topic it is, you can always count on us. Our experts are all set to provide you with top-notch quality work that is completely free from errors and plagiarism, along with a free Plagiarism report. The best part is, you can avail these services at affordable prices that too along with amazing discounts and offers. So, why waste a minute? Seek our help right away!

Know More- Know All About Driscoll Reflective Model