When students search for working models to reflection on their experiences, the Driscoll model of reflection is usually one of the most sought-after options. Whatever be the area of healthcare, education, or professional training, the model provides a short and systematic process for reflection. Students also employ online assignment writing services to understand reflective models like Driscoll’s in depth and apply them effectively to their assignments.
Reflection isn’t merely a case of looking over one’s shoulder—reflection is about looking at experience, learning the lessons, and transferring them forward to practice. In this blog, we will consider everything you might want to know about the Driscoll’s model of reflection, how it originated, its strengths and weaknesses, and how you might use it in academic or working life.
What is Driscoll’s Model of Reflection?
So, what is Driscoll’s reflection model? Essentially, the framework is a straightforward, three-stage cycle of reflection based on three important questions:
- What? – Describing the experience.
- So what? – Interpreting the meaning and impact of the experience.
- Now What? – Identifying lessons learnt and actions for future improvement.
This is the reason why it can be termed as Driscoll’s ‘what’ model or the ‘Driscoll what, so what, now what’ framework. Due to its simplicity, numerous nursing, healthcare, and education courses use it as a point of departure for reflective practice.
Origins of the Model: John Driscoll’s Contribution
The John Driscoll model of reflection was inspired by Terry Borton’s developmental framework (1970), which first introduced the “What? – So What? – Now What?” approach.
- In 1994, John Driscoll adapted Borton’s ideas into a structured reflective model. This one is commonly referred to as the Driscoll’s model of reflection, 1994, or the Driscoll 1994 model of reflection.
- Subsequently, in 2007, he developed the model further so that it could be used more commonly in healthcare and nursing. This one is termed the John Driscoll model of reflection (2007), or sometimes the Driscoll reflective model 2007 or the Driscoll 2007 model of reflection.
You will often come across citations such as the Driscoll model of reflection 2007 citation or the Driscoll reflective model citation in academic essays where the students must provide accurate citations. It is good to understand how to properly cite Driscoll’s model of reflection when submitting assignments, particularly in nursing education.
Driscoll’s Reflective Cycle Explained
Many scholars also refer to it as the Driscoll’s reflective cycle or the Driscoll cycle of reflection. Despite different naming variations such as the Driscoll reflective cycle or even simply the Driscoll model, the framework essentially guides learners to look at three areas:
The Experience (What?)
Here you describe the situation in detail. For example, what happened during a clinical shift, a teaching session, or a group project?
Understanding (So What?)
Here you analyse the significance. Why was it important? What was good, and how could it be improved?
Action Plan (Now What?)
This is where you decide how the reflection will influence your future decisions or practice.
This three-part questioning technique makes the Driscoll method of reflection easy to use across multiple fields, particularly in nursing and healthcare.
Why Use Driscoll’s Model of Reflection?
You may ask, why use Driscoll’s model of reflection when there are numerous reflective frameworks to choose from? It is in its simplicity, flexibility, and transparency that the answer can be found.
Compared to more complicated models like Gibbs or Kolb, Driscoll’s reflective model concentrates on three principal questions that render it less daunting for new learners. Many nursing students find the Driscoll model of reflection nursing framework useful for writing reflective assignments or preparing portfolios.
In academic writing, students also include variations like Driscoll’s model of reflection, or reflective models by Driscoll, when citing sources.
Driscoll Model of Reflection Example
Let’s consider a Driscoll model of reflection example in nursing:
What?
A student nurse administers medication under supervision but notices a dosage calculation error at the last moment.
So what?
The learner ponders about the necessity of double-checking prescriptions and how vigilance in this regard averts patient injury.
Now what?
In future practice, the nurse commits to a strict cross-checking system before administering any medication.
This Driscoll model of reflection in nursing example shows how the framework supports professional growth and patient safety.
Similarly, academic writing often includes a Driscoll model of reflection example essay to demonstrate application. Such examples help students see how reflective frameworks translate into practice.
Advantages: Why is Driscoll’s Model of Reflection Good?
There are several reasons why Driscoll’s model of reflection is good:
- Simplicity – Only three questions to guide reflection.
- Accessibility – Easy to understand for novice learners.
- Flexibility – Can be used in nursing, teaching, business, and personnel development.
- Structured Thinking – Encourages logical flow from event to interpretation to future planning.
This is why educators frequently recommend Driscoll’s reflective model to students new to reflective writing.
Limitations: Disadvantages of Driscoll’s Reflective Model
Of course, no reflective framework is perfect. Some of the disadvantages of the Driscoll reflective model include:
- Oversimplification – Reflection can be complex, and the three-step structure may feel too basic.
- Lack of Depth – Compared to models like Gibbs’ cycle, Driscoll may not capture deeper layers of emotional or social learning.
- Dependence on User Skill – Its effectiveness depends on how deeply the student engages with the questions.
When comparing the Driscoll model of reflection’s pros and cons, most educators agree that while it lacks complexity, its strength lies in clarity.
The Driscoll Model in Nursing and Healthcare
The model of nursing reflection by Driscoll is mostly practised due to the fact that nurses engage in reflective practice on a day-to-day basis. An example is that after attending to patients, nurses may apply the Driscoll frame of reflection model 2007 to reflect on the decisions made, how they interacted with the patients and aspects they could improve.
Professionals in health care also refer to the reflective model 2007 by Driscoll when they engage in reflective journals, portfolios or case studies. Here, proper referencing is very fundamental, and that is why it is important to know the Driscoll 2007 model of reflection reference style.
How to Reference Driscoll’s Model of Reflection
Students tend to ask, ‘What is the Driscoll model of reflection and how do we cite it?’ The answer is different according to the style guide applied in their university (APA, Harvard, MLA, etc.). A basic format would be as follows, usingHarvard style:
- Driscoll, J. (2007). Practising Clinical Supervision: A Reflective Approach for Healthcare Professionals. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: Elsevier.
It can also be modified to the Driscoll model of reflection 1994 reference in case of citing the previous work. The rules of reference should always be checked.
Comparing Driscoll with Other Reflective Models
Although this blog focuses on Driscoll’s reflective models, it’s useful to briefly compare them with others:
- Gibbs Reflective Cycle – More detailed, covering six stages.
- Kolb’s Learning Cycle – Emphasises experiential learning.
- Johns’ Model of Reflection – Focuses on structured self-inquiry.
Although these frameworks offer insight, the Driscolls model offers simplicity to many students.
Driscoll’s Model in Academic Writing
Reflective essays tend to ask students to apply certain models. An example of a Driscoll reflection essay will generally show how the three questions help reflect on a learning experience.
Students are occasionally requested to employ either the Driscoll’s model of reflection 2007 or the Driscoll’s model of reflection (1994), per course instructions. In any case, strong academic knowledge can be demonstrated by being able to explain both versions.
Conclusion
Driscoll reflection model is still among the simplest models of reflective learning. This model can help you analyse experiences in a systematic manner whether you are putting together a nursing portfolio or an educational essay or a professional development report.
From John Driscoll’s reflective model of 1994 up to the updated Driscoll reflective model of 2007, the model has stood the test of time. It is so versatile that it serves as a very useful tool to both students and practitioners.
So the next time you look back at an experience, recall the three questions of guidance for the Driscoll’s model: What? So what? Now what? It’s a simple, smart, and effective way to turn experiences into valuable learning.