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ADI Training – Preparing for Part One |
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| on Nov 15 2011 | |
| News & Articles >> ADI Resources |
At the start of his monthly series on ADI training, Phil examines preparation for part one and explains that it should not only be varied and challenging but should act as a basic foundation course for parts two and three.
When we consider how the ADI qualification is structured it really is an effective, logical and simple system. Show you know the theory of driving and teaching in a car (part one), demonstrate you can drive to a very good standard (part two) and then prove that you can teach it (part three). Unfortunately, many training organisations follow too closely DSA’s assessment format when preparing their potential driving instructors (PDIs) for their tests. This approach is too rigid, lacking any integration of driving or instructing practice during part one.
PART ONE – THE PROBLEM
Traditionally, each part of the ADI qualification has been treated separately when preparing ADI candidates for their tests. For part one, give the PDI some recommended books and ask questions to test knowledge retention. For the hazard perception test, give out a DVD to practice at home and then stand back to see if the PDI passes. If he doesn’t, tell him to do a little more home study and better luck on the next attempt.
Why should so little effort be taken to help prepare PDIs for part one? Surely it is during this early stage that trainers should be capitalising on the PDI’s initial enthusiasm by introducing all elements of the training course and whetting the appetite for future development. A cynical answer for this lack of care is that money is made out of PDIs paying between £2,000 and £3,000 up front but who can’t pass part one. They often give up in the end and wonder what was wrong with them as they fight (usually in vain) to get some money back!
Assuming that an ADI training organisation is well intentioned and cares that it’s PDIs actually qualify as driving instructors, what can be done during the preparation for part one which will enhance the PDI’s chances of not only passing this part but also parts two and three?
HOME STUDY
Firstly, present the PDI with a structured home study course rather than the part one question bank to revise or/and a stack of books to read. A home study course should allow the PDI to study the DSA recommended syllabus. There are ten subject groups as listed in ADI 14. The PDI should be able to access each of these in the recommended reading list, in a logical and structured way and then answer questions on them to check knowledge retention. There are a few part one home study courses on the market which are effective and would help a PDI follow a systematic programme of study.
Secondly, it is very important that PDIs have the opportunity to review home study progress at regular intervals with the trainer. This can be done at the start of practical training sessions (more on these later) or during formal classroom sessions. By examining the questions the PDI answered incorrectly (and the questions answered correctly but were a guess) it is more likely that the PDI will succeed on the MCQ test. We all tend to remember, and dwell on, the things we get wrong!
HAZARD PERCEPTION (HP)
It appears that the hazard perception element of the part one test is causes most problems for PDIs. The pros and cons for the inclusion of the HP assessment in part one are not being debated here. Any experienced driver coached in the technique of pressing a mouse button when a hazard starts to develop should have little difficulty with passing the HP assessment. There are one or two good HP DVDs with official and unofficial practice clips. Most have the facility to review exactly where the PDI clicked, where scoring windows start and finish and come complete with a tutorial on how the test works. A short seminar run by an ADI trainer on what the HP assessment is, how to prepare for it and lots of private practice should dispel the myth that the HP assessment is difficult.
PRACTICAL TRAINING
The highlights of part one training should be in-car sessions covering driving and teaching skills. A two hour session on driver improvement, at the part one stage, will pinpoint the main fault areas to the PDI and will give more time for private practice. By the time driver training starts in earnest, half the work will have been done by a conscientious PDI. The theory of driving will have been brought to life and the adjustments to the PDI’s driving skills will make sense to him. Throw in a short demonstration drive by the ADI Trainer (at the perfect standard, of course) and some commentary driving to help concentrate the mind at every hazard, and you have an invaluable training session during part one.
Many Trainers either shy away from or don’t attach any importance to part three instructing sessions during part one. PDIs have to study quite detailed text on the theory of learning and instructional principles and answer fifteen questions on them on the part one test. Most PDIs have little or no teaching experience to fall back on therefore, the techniques are difficult to absorb and understand. Practical training sessions covering the principles of teaching and learning are fun and give the PDI an insight into such techniques as talk through, watching the pupil, describing hazards, fault finding, lesson planning and giving briefings.
Practical training sessions during part one are an essential tool in developing a rapport with the PDI, link the theory with the real world of driving instruction and, most importantly, provide a holistic approach to the training of PDIs.
SUMMARY
Having a fully integrated training package at part one level is more likely to prepare PDIs properly for the part one test but, more significantly, signal at an early stage the more difficult demands of parts two and three. At a time when PDIs are usually left to get on with studying for part one themselves, with little trainer contact, this article has attempted to give a few ideas of how to bring the theory to life and how to keep PDIs in regular contact with their trainer.
Next month – Preparing for the Driving Test (part two)
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