Sample: ADI Resources | Check Test Preparation

Instructional Techniques | Levels of Instruction

In essence, there are only three levels of instruction:

• Full talk through/guided practise
• Prompted practise
• Competent practise

All three levels will be used in a typical driving lesson. Which level we use depends upon:

• The hazard ahead
• The time available for instruction before control would be in jeopardy
• The pupil's experience and ability level

Full Talk Through

A definition of talking a subject through fully is to tell a pupil what to do with their eyes, hands and feet at exactly the right time and in exactly the right order. The instruction must be clearly expressed, correct and brief. Because the classroom is moving around, creating time pressure on instructors, talk through phrases should be minimised to between two and five words, i.e. cover the brake, steer left slightly or change up to second gear.

Prompted Practise/Q & A Technique

Prompting pupils with open questions will make them think about what has to be done next prior to carrying out a specific action. Open questions, the most popular of which begin with what, why, when, who, which, where and how (the seven "w"s), are effective tools by which to assist or even force a pupil to think and take responsibility for their actions.

Competent Practise

There are times in driving lessons when we should allow our pupils to take control independently for short periods. Only by giving the pupil control will we know whether the lesson objectives have been met. Allowing too much independence will lead to retrospective (late) instruction as we belatedly try to claw back control with late verbal or physical intervention.

Mentally driving the car at all times is essential if the pupil is to try and succeed.