The Learning Process
The learning process, the biggest barrier to learning is FEAR. Most learners are frightened of not being able do something that they are unable to take in what is being asked of them.
In most cases as mentioned above most learner are Passive on their lessons, one of the tools of coaching is get them to be more Active and learn to Reflect on lessons. With a more active learner, the learner tends to be more alert and receptive to information.
In the very early stage, i.e. when doing the controls lesson. Do they need to know everything? For example all the controls and switches. Just teach them what they need for that lesson. Teach them the other controls as and when they need them. Too long is spent showing them controls they don’t need for that lessons. Try to get the learner to start to take some responsibility, so for example when you have shown & told them how to get the correct driving position, tell them on all future lesson that will be their first responsibility. So the learning and transfer of responsibility has started.
Use of Scaling
What is scaling? Scaling is a tool to be used for the learners self evaluation. For example, after encountering a incident on the road that the learner could have handled better. Get the pupil to stop at a safe place. Then ask them what has happened to cause you to take the action you did. Get them to score themselves of a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being a perfect score. If for example they come back with a 5, you then need them to go through what they would need to do to improve that score. Most times in a moving traffic environment it’s down to observation.
Scaling can be used for all the maneuvers and other sections the learning process.
The following is an example of the scaling method on the subject of distractions; it is taken from DTT forum.
Lesson begins, Shaun the pupil, is sorting his seating position and preparing himself ready to drive, Shaun has had approx 35 hours with no