The Rolfe Reflective Model, developed by Gary Rolfe in 2001, has become a cornerstone in professional reflection and self-assessment. This article delves deep into the Rolfe’s reflective model, exploring its origins, components, applications, and impact across various fields.
What is Rolfe’s Reflective Model?
The Rolfe Reflective Model 2001 is a framework designed for critical reflection. It encourages practitioners to analyze their experiences and actions through a structured approach. At its core, the Rolfe’s Reflective Model poses three fundamental questions: “What? So What? Now What?” This method simplifies reflection, making it accessible and effective.
What So What Now What
- What? – Description of the situation or experience
- So What? – Analysis and interpretation of the event
- Now What? – Action plan for future improvement
The Gary Rolfe Reflective Model has gained popularity across various disciplines due to its simplicity and effectiveness. It’s particularly useful in fields such as nursing, education, and social work, where reflective practice is crucial for professional growth.
Rolfe’s Reflective Model: What So What Now What
Breaking down the Rolfes model of reflection What So What Now What approach:
- What?: This stage involves describing the event or situation in detail. What happened? Who was involved? What was your role?
- So What?: This is the analysis phase. Why is this significant? What does it mean for your practice? What have you learned?
- Now What?: This final stage focuses on action. How will you apply what you’ve learned? What will you do differently next time?
Example of Rolfe Reflective Model
To illustrate the model’s application, consider a Rolfe Reflective Model nursing scenario:
- What? – During a night shift, I administered the wrong medication to a patient.
- So What? – This error could have had serious consequences for the patient’s health and highlights a gap in my attention to detail and adherence to protocols.
- Now What? – I will implement a double-check system for medication administration, seek additional training on medication safety, and propose improvements to our current medication management system.
This example of Rolfe Reflective Model demonstrates how the framework can be applied to real-world situations, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving in healthcare settings.
Rolfe’s Reflective Model Pros and Cons
The Rolfe’s Reflective Model has its strengths and limitations. Let’s explore the Rolfe Reflective Model pros and cons:
Pros:
- Simple and easy to understand
- Applicable across various disciplines
- Promotes deep reflection and action planning
- Encourages continuous improvement
Cons:
- May oversimplify complex situations
- Lacks guidance on in-depth analysis
- May not be suitable for all types of reflective practice
- Could lead to superficial reflection if not used thoughtfully
Despite these limitations, the Rolfe Reflective Model remains a valuable tool for professional development and self-improvement.
Rolfe Reflective Model Example Essay
When writing a Rolfe’s Reflective Model example essay, structure your thoughts according to the three main questions. Here’s a brief outline:
- Introduction: Explain the context and purpose of your reflection.
- What?: Describe the situation or experience in detail.
- So What?: Analyze the impact and implications of the event.
- Now What?: Propose actions for improvement or change.
- Conclusion: Summarize key learnings and future applications.
Rolfe Reflective Model Citation
When citing the model in academic work, use these formats:
- Rolfe Reflective Model Harvard Reference: Rolfe, G., Freshwater, D., & Jasper, M. (2001). Critical reflection for nursing and the helping professions: A user’s guide. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Rolfe Reflective Model Citation: (Rolfe et al., 2001)
- Rolfe Reflective Model Reference: Rolfe, G., Freshwater, D., & Jasper, M. (2001). Critical reflection for nursing and the helping professions: a user’s guide. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Reference Rolfe Reflective Model APA 7: Rolfe, G., Freshwater, D., & Jasper, M. (2001). Critical reflection for nursing and the helping professions: A user’s guide. Palgrave Macmillan.
It’s important to check your institution’s preferred citation style for accuracy.
Applications of the Rolfe Reflective Model
The Reflective Model is widely applicable beyond nursing:
- Education: Teachers can reflect on their methods and student interactions.
- Social Work: Social workers can analyze complex cases and improve their interventions.
- Business: Managers can use the model for performance reviews and strategic planning.
- Personal Development: Individuals can reflect on personal experiences for self-improvement.
Rolfe Reflective Model Example
Here’s another example, this time in an educational context:
- What? – During a class presentation, a student became visibly anxious and struggled to complete their speech.
- So What? – This situation highlights the need for better support for students with presentation anxiety. It also reflects on my role as an educator in creating a supportive classroom environment.
- Now What? – I will research techniques to help students manage presentation anxiety, incorporate more low-stakes speaking opportunities in class, and offer one-on-one support for students who struggle with public speaking.
This Rolfe Reflective of Model example demonstrates how educators can use the model to enhance their teaching practices and support student needs.
Rolfe Reflective Model Reference
Harvard Reference:
Rolfe, G., Freshwater, D. & Jasper, M., 2001. Critical reflection for nursing and the helping professions: A user’s guide. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
APA 7 Reference:
Rolfe, G., Freshwater, D., & Jasper, M. (2001). Critical reflection for nursing and the helping professions: A user’s guide. Palgrave Macmillan.
MLA Reference:
Rolfe, Gary, et al. Critical Reflection for Nursing and the Helping Professions: A User’s Guide. Palgrave Macmillan, 2001.
Chicago Style Reference:
Rolfe, Gary, Dawn Freshwater, and Melanie Jasper. Critical Reflection for Nursing and the Helping Professions: A User’s Guide. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2001.
IEEE Reference:
[1] G. Rolfe, D. Freshwater, and M. Jasper, Critical Reflection for Nursing and the Helping Professions: A User’s Guide, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2001.
Pingback: Anonymous