ANI
was established by a joint programme between the Northern Ireland
Office, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety,
the Department of Education and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
ANI will allow organisations to make more informed decisions by
providing criminal history information about anyone seeking paid or
unpaid work in certain defined areas, such as working with children or
vulnerable adults.
There are 3 types of checks that can be
carried out; a basic, standard and enhanced check. Because of the
nature of an ADI's work, an enhanced check will be carried out for ADIs
and those wishing to become ADIs. More comprehensive information will
be obtained under this system but the Agency's decision making process
on 'fit and proper' status will remain the same. The introduction of
ANI checks will mean process changes for the ADI section and the Agency
will be charged a fee for every application made. At this point DVA is
not proposing to increase fees to recover these costs, but may have to
do so in due course.
Further
information will be provided to ADIs in a detailed letter and trainers
of new instructors will be contacted separately to explore the issues
for trainee instructors (given that the process may taken longer than
currently). In the meantime more information can be given be found at www.accessni.gov.uk.
TEST OF CONTINUED ABILITY AND FITNESS TO GIVE INSTRUCTION
(Check Test)
Notes on the above talk given at the 2008 AGM
Brian Morrison
Chief Driving Examiner
To Obtain A Grade 6
Overall performance to a very high standard with no significant instructional weaknesses.
Concise accurate recap given on previous lesson and realistic attainable objectives set for the current lesson.
There was dialogue, with pupil involvement.
Consistently
demonstrated the ability to vary/select the most appropriate
instructional techniques as necessary to suit the needs, aptitude and
ability of the pupil.
Quick
to recognise and address all important driving faults and provided
thoroughly sound analysis, with clear, prompt and appropriate remedial
action.
An
appropriate route chosen for the pupil's ability and experience and
took every opportunity to develop the pupil's driving skills and
awareness using the problems presented en-route.
Structured
an appropriate learning environment that positively encouraged the
pupil to further develop their skills and good driving practise.
The lesson concluded with a concise recap, which was an accurate overview of the lesson.
The strengths and weaknesses in the pupil's performance identified and discussed constructively.
Realistic and appropriate objectives set for the next lesson.
Professional attitude and approach to the pupil throughout the lesson.
How Can I Obtain A Grade 6?
Walk on water?
Suck up to the SE?
Nothing?
None of the above?
Purpose of check test
To ensure that acceptable standards of instruction are being maintained;
To give the SE an opportunity to offer advise and guidance on the way instruction can be improved
The SE is there to help, he is not looking for the easiest way to remove your name from the ADI register.
Preparation on the Day
This should be no more or no less than you would make for any other lesson
You don't have to bring your 'star' pupil
The objective is to assess your ability to instruct - not your pupil's ability to drive
Lesson must be tailored to the pupil's level whether novice or experienced learner
A good instructor will ....
Demonstrate ability to put the pupil at ease
Demonstrate ability to create a relaxed and friendly learning environment
Be able to introduce the pupil to the SE in a relaxed manner and convey that this lesson is no different to any other
The Lesson
Should last 60 minutes and an additional 15 at the end for debrief with the SE
Don't try to behave differently - this could confuse your pupil and will be hard to sustain for an hour
Be yourself and you will have less to think about
The start of the lesson
Be ready to provide the SE with a pen picture of your pupil's present level of ability
You should also inform the SE of your intended lesson plan and objective for the lesson
Content of the lesson(Some or all of the following will be assessed by the SE as dictated by the lesson)
Controls
Moving Away / Stopping
Left Reverse
Right Reverse
Turn in the Road
Parallel parking
Emergency stop and mirror
Turning left major into minor
The Lesson Plan
The SE will not restrict his assessment to what is in the lesson plan
If other faults emerge he will be looking for the ADI to address these in the lesson
The lesson plan needs to be adjusted as the lesson progresses to match the learning needs which emerge during the lesson
A
common fault is for instructors to stick rigidly to the original lesson
plan resulting in a mismatch between the pupil's needs and what is
being taught
A good instructor will be able to assess the seriousness of errors and adjust the lesson plan to suit
Core Competencies
Three core competencies form the basis of good instruction. These are:
Fault identification
Fault analysis
Remedial Action
You must correctly identify, analyse and remedy weaknesses to improve the pupil?s driving skills
Core Competencies
When giving instruction a very simple method to apply is to ask the following questions:
What happened
Why did it happen
How do I put it right
Identification/What Happened
Lack of effective fault identification is quite common in check tests
You must be able to clearly identify at appropriate times all important weaknesses
You should be able to prioritise faults and judge if you should bring them to the pupil's attention
You should switch between observation of the pupil and what is happening outside
Recognising faults and communicating them properly is the first step towards correction
You cannot improve a pupil's ability if you are not watching - at the right time - what they are doing
Analysis - why it happened
Faults should be analysed to see why they have occurred and what effect they could have had on other road users
Instructors should explain what went wrong - there may be several reasons why a fault occurred
The instructor must use his skills to analyse the cause correctly and explain this to the pupil
Simply stating that a fault has occurred will be assessed as unsatisfactory as it does not teach the pupil
The pupil needs to know what went wrong and why
Remedy - how to put it right
Having identified and analysed the fault the pupil will need to know how to avoid repeating it
A verbal explanation of the fault may not be sufficient
Remedying the fault may need some practice and this should take place as soon as possible after the fault has occurred
Late or retrospective instruction is of little value
The pupil may not have the recall of an experienced driver
Instructional techniques(will be assessed by the SE)
Recap at start (on previous lesson)
Aims/Objectives for the lesson - between ADI and pupil
Level of Instruction (over and under instruction)
Planning - lesson must be structured - start/middle/end
Control of the lesson - the lesson should be clearly in the instructor's control
Question
& Answer - 2-way process - pupil must be able to ask questions as
well and instructor able to answer - use open questions
Feedback and Encouragement - praise and encouragement can enhance learning and boost confidence
Use of dual controls - only for demonstration, avoiding potential danger or actual danger
Recap at the end - summary - were objectives met?/what needs more practice?/ next lesson
Instructor Characteristics(will be assessed by the SE)
Attitude and approach to pupil
The instructor should be able to show that he has created a friendly learning environment
Avoid physical contact as it can be mis-construed
Patience and tact need to be applied always
Be prepared to repeat instruction and practice or look for the next opportunity to deal with the topic again
Overall Marking(SE's assessment)
Observation and proper correction of pupil errors
Method, clarity, adequacy and correctness of instruction
Manner, patience and tact and ability to inspire confidence
Check Test Report Form
Column A
Any subject area covered during the lesson should be rated in
Column A. This should be done as the lesson progresses
Feedback:
Telling people how they are doing
Suggesting ways of improvement or how to do things differently
By listening and watching
Note strengths and weaknesses
Prioritise them
Analyse them
Provide sound remedies
Don't be judgemental
Be honest
Be sympathetic
Be constructive
Ask them for their opinion of their own performance
Ask others for theirs
Keep positive
Start and finish on a high note
Remember that we are seeking to improve, not to destroy
DVA
carries out a criminal record check on all applicant instructors and on
newly registered and renewing ADIs. The task is currently undertaken by
the PSNI Criminal Records Office but from 1 April 2008 this function
will be taken over by Access Northern Ireland (ANI).
