At the beginning of a lesson it is important to set the tone with a recap that leads into clearly defined learning outcomes and this will give you a great lesson plan.
Recap at Start What is the purpose of a recap at the start? It should help you link previous knowledge that the driver has gained to the current situation that you are trying to teach. You are trying to discover what knowledge the driver already has. If, as an example, you are teaching crossroads, you will want to recap their previous knowledge of junctions. To do this you will need to ask open questions. A common error is to ask, 'Do you know the MSM routine?' because this can so easily be answered with 'Yes'. What does this tell you? To help the driver give a thoughtful answer, you could use a word picture. Like using a diagram, a word picture will help to promote interest, hold attention and increase the rate of learning. Remember, a picture paints a thousand words (communication). An example of a word picture could be, 'You are travelling along this road in 3rd gear at 25 mph and I tell you that I would like you to take the next road on the right. Explain to me what you would do'. The driver has to give a description of their actions. You should be prepared to ask further questions depending on their answer. These further questions could be anything from, 'Why do you check your mirrors?' 'What speed do you think you should be doing when you turn right?' 'What will your speed depend on?' This may seem long-winded but you will then know what level of understanding that your learner has and this should help you gauge the level of instruction needed in your briefing. Aims/Objectives The aim is what you, the instructor, want to teach on the lesson. 'The aim of today’s lesson is to teach the procedures and actions at crossroads'. The objective describes what the driver is expected to be able to do by the end of the lesson to demonstrate that learning has taken place. At the end of the lesson the driver will demonstrate the MSPSL routine at crossroads. The driver will be able to explain the different positions for turning right at crossroads and when they apply. The driver will be able to identify crossroads on approach. Even though you are unlikely to achieve these objectives in the time allocated on a test you will need them to help you stay in control of the lesson. These should help your focus and aid desired results. In order to achieve these objectives you may find yourself setting smaller objectives, as often learning is a series of small steps rather than a giant leap. These smaller objectives may result from mistakes that the driver makes. For instance, the driver cuts the corner more than once, and this is a fault that you should be able to identify. It will not be sufficient just to say, 'Do not cut the corner'. As the driver is likely to repeat the error, you will have to stop and explain the consequences of the error and investigate (analyse) why the error is occurring and then offer a solution (remedy) to the problem. We will presume that the remedy is helping the driver identify the point of turn and the correct use of speed on approach. You can then restate what you want the driver to do, e.g. 'Next time you turn right I want you to slow down to 5 mph and, providing it is safe, start to steer as the front of the car reaches the point of turn. I will help by prompting you at the correct point of turn. If it is not safe we will stop at the point of turn this will enable you to recognise the correct position'. The next objective will be to steer at the correct point of turn. Objectives are simply learning outcomes.
'Set clear aims and objectives and this will lead to a great lesson plan'
Do you want to learn more then contact us at Tri-Coaching? We have In Class days that you can attend regardless of who you are training with. Give us a call on 0800 058 8009
Part 2 Driving Instructor Training with the Part 3 test of driving instructional ability in mind .
As an experienced driver you will be able to practise the following techniques at any time. Improving your communication skills will automatically improve your driving and help you understand how the way you drive will affect how you teach. You may well have heard of commentary driving, where a driver talks about what they are seeing on the road. You can use this technique to build your use of instruction on the move. Step 1 Simply call out the information you see by starting with road signs and markings, 'Bend warning sign' Step 2 Explain why it is an issue or a hazard - or why you have mentioned it, 'Bend sign, I will need to assess the bend to consider the control I need' Step 3 Say what you are doing in response to the signs, for example, 'Bend sign, I will need to assess the bend to consider the control I need, so I check my mirrors and slow down.' That part of giving a commentary is based on what is happening outside of the car and the resulting action you need to take. You also need to develop your attention to detail so that you can focus on the specific actions you take inside the car. Start with developing your commentary (which will later become instruction) around moving away. 'With my left foot I push the clutch down all the way to the floor; using my left hand I palm the gear lever towards the passenger door and then push it up towards 1; I set the gas to a nice steady hum at around 1.5 rpm; then slowly and steadily I ease the clutch upwards until I find the biting point and then keep my feet still.' Continue this exercise for all the manoeuvres - add detail and get pedantic and see if you can follow your own instructions. Finally, to develop questions, use the techniques above for spotting road signs, road markings and other road users and have a go at asking yourself questions, such as: Why is it important to check my mirrors on approach to this bend? What can I anticipate is around the bend? How can I judge the best position to take on approach to the left hand bend? What speed will be appropriate? Which gear do I need to select? By putting into practice giving a commentary, talking through what you are doing and asking questions about your actions you will be in a good place to develop your instructional techniques.
'Develop your commentary driving skills.'
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Part 1 is relatively easy because it is a multiple choice theory test and then a series of 15 video clips to aid hazard awareness.
Our training aids at Tri-Coaching are second to none and incorporate all the latest questions and clips including CGI clips and making passing your Part 1 a breeze.? The secret to the hazard perception clips is to understand the difference between a 'hazard' and a 'developing hazard'. There is no need to click for anything that is not moving - for example, parked cars, a bend or a pedestrian crossing. However, as soon as a parked car starts to move, or something appears around the bend, or someone wants to use the pedestrian crossing, you need to click because the scoring window opens the split second a hazard starts to develop. You can click more than once - so maybe an initial click as you see the hazard will help you focus on it and then click if it starts to develop, and perhaps one more click just to be sure. However, it is important that you avoid clicking rhythmically and too often as the computer will decide you're cheating. Remember one clip contains two developing hazards so you will need to keep watching closely on every clip just to make sure you don't miss anything. The problem that many trainee driving instructors have later in their training is, once they have passed the Part 1 theory test, it becomes the end of their reading and their studying. This proves to be the downfall of many PDIs in the qualifying process because the knowledge about road safety, driving, road law and the rules gets forgotten. Remember, 'Knowledge is Power' and is essential to building your confidence so
'Always keep studying because every day is a learning day'.
Tri-Coaching Partnership run training courses all over the country to find out where one is near you call us on 0800 058 8009. |
AuthorSusan McCormack Archives
October 2022
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