How many lessons will I need before I pass my test?
This is the most frequently asked question by my learner drivers. Some students want an accurate answer and I wish I could give one but the truth is there is no simple answer to this question. To be able to give an accurate answer I would need to be super human, with psychic powers, able to predict the future. It’s a bit like asking a school teacher, how long will it take before I fully understand multiplication?
I consider these criteria before making an assessment of how many lessons a student will need:
- The students commitment
- The students psychomotor skills (practical capabilities)
- The students attitude: positive or negative
- The students cognitive knowledge (theoretical understanding)
The Students Commitment
How important is learning to drive to the student? There are many factors to be considered before this question can be answered. The instructor is unable to give a precise answer without knowing the student. Some students might respond, “I will give a 100% commitment”.
The problem the instructor needs to determine is, what does a 100% mean to that particular student? Commitment levels may vary from student to student. 100% may mean trying to focus concentration during a one hour lesson for one student. Whilst another student may consider focusing their attention half of the time during the lesson is for him or her 100%.
Some students say they will give a 100% to the theory, however when asked the following week what they have learned for the Theory Test might respond by saying that they hadn’t the time to learn any theory.
Keeping appointments
Cancelling lessons can adversely affect learning. Missed lessons means students will take longer to learn and consequently longer to gain a full driving licence. Missed lessons interrupt progress because students can easily forget what they have been taught. Recaps may have to be made once lessons are resumed costing the student more overall.
Commitment to keeping appointments works both for instructor and pupil. Late cancellations often mean the instructor or pupil loses an hour of their time set aside for working or learning. If a lesson is missed by either party without reasonable notice either 24/48 hours beforehand then the lesson would have to be paid for. This agreement signifies mutual respect by both parties.
Time Study
Whilst completing a teaching qualification I undertook an assignment in time study. I learned how we all work at different rates and how much variance there can be in a person’s learning capabilities depending on the time of day they are learning. For example some people learn more effectively and efficiently in the morning whilst others learn better at night.
Students Retention For Information Varies
Some students forget what they have learned the week before and therefore need further reinforcement by either having more lessons a week or perhaps reading about driving or handouts they have received on their lessons.
Positive Mental Attitude
Some students have a positive mental attitude toward learning whereby others take a negative attitude toward their learning by constantly criticising themselves and their inability to learn. Having a positive mental attitude promotes learning whereas negative attitudes discourage learning.
Practically Minded
Driving is mostly a practically skill therefore practical people often learn to drive quicker than those who are less practical. Students might be good at the theory of driving yet find great difficulty with the practical applications needed when learning to drive.
Interference
Students learning to drive can have their confidence affected by outside interference from friends or family who believe they know better then the instructor. For example, two widely held but false concepts are that:
- We should always slow down and change gears progressively 4,3,2,1, in sequence.
- Always give signals when passing parked cars
Peer Pressure
Peer pressure can have a detrimental effect on students when they compare their progress. If someone they know is doing better than they are, or further on with their lessons this can affect their learning. Some students put themselves under unnecessary pressure by trying too hard and beat themselves up mentally when they have failed to achieve an objective.
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