6.1 Models of reflection

Boud’s triangular representation

Many models are cyclical in nature, representing the idea that reflection leads to learning, but this learning is never completed or able to be transferred without reflecting on it further in different contexts. The most simple model could be seen to be Boud’s triangular representation, Figure 2.

Figure 2 Boud’s triangular representation

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Three boxes, 'Experience' at the top and 'Learning' and 'reflection' below, arranged in a triangular shape. arrows point between the boxes in both directions.

Figure 2 Boud’s triangular representation

This model, although capturing the essentials (that experience and reflection lead to learning), has limitations. It doesn’t guide us as to what reflection might consist of, or how the learning might translate back into experience. Aligning key reflective questions to this model, see Figure 3, may help.

Figure 3 What does reflection consist of?

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Three triangles arranged in a triangle. Top: Experience - What? (description of events); Right hand corner: Reflection, So what? (unpicking the events); Left hand corner: Learning - Now what? (What has been learned? What is the impact of the learning?)

Figure 3 What does reflection consist of?