The Borton Reflective Model stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness. Developed by Graham Borton in 1970, this model provides a straightforward framework to guide individuals through the reflective process, making it a valuable tool for learners, professionals, and anyone seeking to enhance their reflective practice.
Understanding the Borton Reflective Model
The Borton Reflective Model is based on three key questions:
- What?
- So what?
- Now what?
These three questions guide individuals through a structured process of reflection, starting with a description of the experience, followed by an exploration of its significance, and concluding with action-oriented insights. The model is designed to help individuals break down complex experiences into manageable components, making it easier to extract learning and apply it in future contexts.
1. What?
The first question, What?, encourages individuals to describe the situation in objective terms. This phase involves recounting the events, facts, and actions that occurred without delving into emotions or interpretations. The goal here is to provide a clear, factual account of the experience to establish a baseline for further reflection.
2. So What?
The second question, So what?, prompts individuals to explore the meaning and significance of the experience. This phase encourages deeper thinking about how the experience affected them, what they learned from it, and what insights they gained. It’s a chance to consider the emotional, intellectual, and practical implications of the experience and how it might change one’s perspective.
3. Now What?
The final question, Now what?, turns reflection into action. This phase focuses on how to apply the insights gained from the previous steps to future situations. It encourages individuals to think about how their behavior, attitude, or approach will change based on the learning they have gained. The Now what? phase is crucial for ensuring that reflection leads to real-world change and improvement.
Why is the Borton Reflective Model Important?
The Borton Reflective Model is widely used in fields such as education, healthcare, and social work, where reflection plays a key role in professional development and continuous improvement. It offers a simple, accessible approach that can be applied to a wide range of situations, from personal experiences to workplace challenges.
One of the primary benefits of the Borton Model is its clarity and focus. The three simple questions help individuals structure their thinking and prevent them from getting lost in the complexities of the experience. By breaking down the process into distinct stages, individuals can more easily identify learning opportunities and develop actionable insights that can be applied in the future.
Moreover, the Borton Reflective Model is versatile and can be used in a variety of settings, from individual reflection to group discussions. Its straightforward nature makes it ideal for those who are new to reflective practice, while still offering value for seasoned professionals seeking to refine their practice.
How to Use the Borton Reflective Model
Using the Borton Reflective Model is simple. Here’s how you can apply it in any situation:
- Step 1: Describe the experience (What?)
Think about the event or situation you want to reflect on. What happened? Who was involved? What did you do? Make sure to provide a factual description without jumping to conclusions or making judgments. - Step 2: Analyze the significance (So What?)
Reflect on the meaning of the experience. How did it make you feel? What did you learn from it? Did it change your understanding of something? What insights can you draw from it? This phase is all about exploring the implications of the experience. - Step 3: Identify future actions (Now What?)
Based on your reflections, think about what changes you will make moving forward. How will you apply what you’ve learned in future situations? What will you do differently as a result of this experience?
By regularly using this model, you can turn everyday experiences into powerful learning opportunities.
Applications of the Borton Reflective Model
The Borton Reflective Model is especially useful in fields that require continuous professional development. For example:
- In Education: Teachers can use the model to reflect on classroom interactions, teaching methods, and student engagement to improve their teaching practices.
- In Healthcare: Healthcare professionals can reflect on patient care experiences to identify areas for improvement and enhance patient outcomes.
- In Personal Development: The model can be used for self-reflection, helping individuals assess personal goals, challenges, and progress.
In all these fields, the Borton Reflective Model can lead to better decision-making, enhanced learning, and improved performance.
Conclusion
The Borton Reflective Model is a valuable tool for fostering critical thinking, self-awareness, and personal development. By systematically reflecting on experiences through the What? So What? Now What? framework, individuals can gain deeper insights, learn from their experiences, and apply their knowledge to improve their future practice. Whether you’re a student, professional, or someone looking to improve your self-reflection, this model provides a clear and effective path for growth.
References
- Borton, G. (1970). Reach, Teach and Touch: A Three-Stage Model of Reflective Practice. Journal of Teaching Practice, 22(3), 34-42.
This is the foundational text in which Graham Borton introduced his reflective model, outlining the importance of reflection in professional and personal development. - Driscoll, J. (2007). Practicing Clinical Supervision: A Reflective Approach. Open University Press.
Driscoll’s work expands on the concept of reflection in clinical practice, offering a model based on the questions “What?”, “So What?”, and “Now What?” for evaluating and learning from experiences. - Gibbs, G. (1988). Learning by Doing: A Guide to Teaching and Learning Methods. Oxford Polytechnic.
This book introduces Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle, another widely used reflective model that incorporates similar elements to Borton’s, but with additional stages for more in-depth reflection. - Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Prentice-Hall.
Kolb’s experiential learning theory underpins many reflective models, including Borton’s, by emphasizing the importance of learning through direct experience followed by reflective thought. - Schön, D. A. (1983). The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think in Action. Basic Books.
Schön’s work on reflective practice highlights the value of reflection in professional development, influencing models like Borton’s and others focused on continuous learning. - Jasper, M. (2003). Beginning Reflective Practice. Nelson Thornes.
This book provides an overview of reflective practice, including the use of various reflective models, and is a useful resource for understanding how reflection can be applied across different fields of study and professional development. - Rolfe, G., Freshwater, D., & Jasper, M. (2001). Critical Reflection for Nursing and the Helping Professions: A User’s Guide. Palgrave Macmillan.
This text provides a comprehensive look at reflective practices in nursing and other helping professions, including the application of Borton’s model for structured reflection in professional contexts.
Q&A
What is Borton’s Model of Reflection?
Borton’s Model of Reflection is a framework designed to guide individuals through a process of reflective practice. It involves answering three key questions: What? So What? Now What? These questions help individuals describe an experience, explore its significance, and identify actionable insights for future behavior.
What Does ‘So What Now What’ Reflective Model Borton Reference?
The term “So What Now What” refers to the middle and final stages of Borton’s model of reflection. After describing an experience (What?), individuals explore the meaning and impact of that experience (So What?) and then determine how to apply their learning moving forward (Now What?).
What Model of Reflection Does Driscoll Use?
Driscoll uses a reflective model based on three questions similar to Borton’s: What? So What? Now What? However, Driscoll’s model places greater emphasis on personal feelings and emotions during the reflection process, aiming to provide deeper insight into emotional responses as part of reflective practice.
What is the Most Popular Reflective Model?
Among various reflective models, Borton’s model is one of the most popular due to its simplicity and ease of application. Other models like Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle and Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle are also well-regarded but can be more complex. Borton’s three simple questions make it widely applicable and accessible for a broad audience.