Session 2. Giving Directions
It very much goes without saying that during your lessons you will have to provide your student with directions s to where you would like them to go. The best way to do this is to know where you are going your self and understand for yourself what it is you will be asking of the learner driver.
Have you ever needed to go somewhere with someone else driving and had to give directions on the move? How did it go? Have you ever had to direct someone, maybe from memory or a map around an area you were unfamiliar with? How did that go? Or, have you ever had directions given to you by someone who, frankly, didn't seem to have any idea as to where they were going?
The key to giving good route directions is to know your route, what is the purpose of the journey, the drivers ability and the timing of your directions.
Even for experienced driving instructors route direction can be a bit of a challenge, this is normally down to lack of preparation, route knowledge or simply bad timing. As we move on to lesson planning later in the course you will see how good planning of training areas and an understanding of your learner drivers abilities will play an invaluable contribution to giving high quality route directions.
Remember that as a driving instructor it is important to engage the learner driver, talk to them about their development and help them analyse their actions through appropriate Q and A. The problem comes when too much interaction is committed to when learner is approaching a junction or change of direction. It is important to recognise where a question may distract the learner and where you need to get them to focus.
The damaging effect of late or unclear directions.
If a direction is garbled, unclear or even during a students answer to a question that has just been asked, the learner driver will undoubtedly hurry the action, mix up the MSPSL routine and make other errors such as gear, speed position etc. It is unfair therefore to 'blame' the learner driver. Remember, you are the professional and you should know your training area and routes. Think about lessons where you have left giving directions late, why was this? What factors do you have the ability to change?
During your online session you will have the opportunity to discuss route directions and ask any questions you feel necessary.
The next online sessions discussing the instructors workplace will be on:
TBC
Please use the form at the bottom of this page to register your interest in joining the workshop.
