Kolb Model of Reflection

Descriptive 

In this stage of the cycle, it is important to identify the situation, problem or discrepancy. You can challenge an assumption or an established way of working. Here you can set the context for the experience that you wish to reflect on, but be careful that your writing does not get distracted by too many details. Consider what your reader will need to know to understand the situation. Take into consideration that you cannot reflect upon everything, so be selective when choosing the experience. Kolb's Experiential Learning Cycle (1984) can be used to reflect on both positive and negative experiences, but some academics argue that Kolb's model is best used with negative experiences (Bassot, 2013).

Here is an example of this stage (please note this example uses IEEE referencing).

Personal Experience: As a project engineer, I was assigned to lead the development of a new automated testing system for a manufacturing line. This was a hands-on project requiring me to immerse myself in the operational aspects of both the existing manual testing process and the intricacies of automation technology.
 

Details: During this phase, I spent considerable time on the factory floor, observing the manual testing procedures and interacting with the operators to understand their challenges and requirements [2]. I also worked closely with a team of software developers and hardware engineers to prototype the initial version of the automated system [2, 3].

Critical thinking 
Here, you are required to think constructively about the situation and to analyse, explain and learn from the situation. Consider your reflections and what they mean for your future work. It is important to acknowledge and consider the positive and negative aspects of the situation, do not be afraid to acknowledge something that did not go well or did not have a positive outcome. This type of reflection is often the most powerful. You might discover an area that you need to explore further, or a gap in your skill set that you want to focus on more. When identifying areas for development, remember to link the reflection to the real world to show that you understand the links. You should also consider future implications and plan accordingly. 

Here is an example of this stage:

Personal Experience: Building on the reflections from the previous stage, I worked on conceptualizing improvements and addressing the identified issues.
 

Details: I developed a comprehensive plan to enhance the automated testing system [6, 7]. This included redesigning certain components to improve reliability, integrating more advanced sensors for better data accuracy [8, 9], and refining the software algorithms to optimize performance [8, 10]. I also established new workflow processes to ensure smoother integration with the existing manufacturing line. This stage required a blend of creative problem-solving and theoretical understanding, transforming reflective insights into actionable concepts [9].

Questioning

The reflective observation stage of the cycle requires the reflector to think deeply about the situation and to reflect on the experience. It is important to reflect on the emotion experienced here, how you felt and to establish any links or gaps in your skill set, experience and knowledge. This stage should include discussions with others to establish their role in the situation and the impact they had on your learning. You should also use this stage to identify any patterns and to think and compare the situation to other similar situations.                                                                                                                                                                   

Here is an example of this stage of the cycle:

Personal Experience: After several weeks of active involvement in the project, I took a step back to evaluate the progress and outcomes of our initial efforts.
 

Details: I organized a series of debriefing meetings with the project team and factory operators [4]. During these sessions, we discussed the strengths and weaknesses of the current prototype. I also reflected on my own observations, noting how certain assumptions about the automation process were either validated or contradicted by real-world application [4, 5]. Key questions I pondered included: What were the successes and failures? What feedback did the operators provide? How did the system's performance measure up against the initial goals?                   

Goal-Orientated 
This stage requires the reflection and learning to be put into practice in a real-world situation. Here, you will move your plans into action, considering already established theories and concepts carefully. The actions that you plan for should always follow the SMART rules; Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Targeted.  
As this is a cycle of experimental learning, this stage links back in the concrete experience stage. The reflection and learning results in planning for a new experience, after which, you can begin the cycle again. 

Here is an example of this stage:

Personal Experience: With a revised plan in place, I led the team through the implementation phase, testing the enhanced system in a live production environment.
 

Details: We installed the upgraded automation system on a pilot section of the manufacturing line. Throughout this period, I closely monitored its performance, gathering data to compare with our projected outcomes. The implementation phase also involved training the operators on the new system and collecting their feedback on its usability and efficiency. This iterative process allowed for continuous refinement, as we made adjustments based on real-time results and operator input.