Can Students Really Learn the Rules of the Road in 3-5 Hours?

Thinking about buying the home Study or the Internet Course, before you do, please read this:

"The limited body of online-related research indicates that college students believe there are advantages of online learning over traditional methods. These advantages include time savings and increased flexibility in scheduling. However, college students do not think they learn more under online conditions and are concerned about their inability to participate in class discussions. In fact, they report a preference for traditional classrooms over Online instructions."
(O'Malley & McCraw, 1999)

The above quote is from a noted study by researchers from the University of Nebraska and Illinois State University. This study shows what many of us already knew from observation of students; that distance learning CAN be effective in learning basic knowledge, but it can be counter-effective in skills-based and cognitive-based needs.

As professional instructors, we see, on a daily basis, a lack of knowledge by students once they get in the car to drive with us. The basic requirements for passing their driving test are quite often missing, such as WHY there is a need to check over their shoulders for traffic in the blind spot, HOW to prepare for and react to a sudden yellow light, HOW to properly make a right turn (especially on a red light), etc. A major reason for this knowledge deficit stems from a lack of classroom participation and/or instructor student interaction with questions and commentary. In the classroom environment, the above skills and more are covered extensively. These are not covered in the online programs.

A recent "pilot study" by the DMV, which was flawed from the start and violated its' own legal- standings, nonetheless showed several interesting results. By its' own admission, the DMV study showed that students who attended a traditional classroom showed a "Substantial Increase" among students who passed their written test on the first try, over those who used either the DMV workbook program or those who completed a "Home Study/Internet" program. During a traditional classroom discussion, comments are frequently heard from students questioning certain rules, because they have experienced the way their parents or friends drive. These questions lead to classroom discussions about WHY certain laws exist and WHY certain driving skills are necessary, something that cannot be done in a "Home Study/Internet" environment. Indeed, in a Home Study/Internet setting, the parent (the "Violator" of many driving errors) is the only "authority" the student can react to. We often see these driving errors passed along from parent to student. As the saying goes, "Road Rage is inherited... you get it from your parents". This is not to imply that ALL parents are lousy drivers, or make bad instructors for teenagers, but consistent questioning of parents has shown that they, actually LEARNED from their student, while helping them.

In the end, the PARENT has the final decision as to HOW their teen will learn to drive; and survive, on today's increasingly crowded and dangerous streets. A parent should make the decision as to classroom versus home- study based on their own knowledge of their teen. Is he or she a self-starter? Is the teen good at book-learning or do they do better in a classroom environment? Do they feel competent enough to assist in knowledge of laws and defensive driving skills, or is that better left to a qualified instructor? Does interaction with OTHER teens in a classroom help or hinder the learning process? Is the time- saving of a Home Study/Internet worth the life-saving skills taught in class? Is the 30-hours of actual classroom, versus the 3-5 hours of Home Study/Internet worth a lifetime of safer driving?

Below you will see a chart on what you're getting when trying to short cut the education of your teenager and driver safety.

Home Study /Internet	Traditional Classroom
Students are on their own	Interactive Classroom With instructions taught by a QUALIFIED and LICENSED professional instructors. and guest speakers
Questions students have cannot be answered from the Home Study/ Internet packets	Immediate answers to questions by licensed and informed instructor
No Regulations Governing Classroom Curriculum	All classroom lesson plans MUST be approved by the DMV and are taught accordingly
Minimal amount of information and content given for students to pass the written permit test	Instruction taught by professionals who care about students and their driving habits. Instructional videos along with lectures from the instructors
Cal. Vehicle Codes, How will students be informed of new laws?	Up-to-date laws and rule changes taught by a licensed instructor
Completion time 3-5 hours. Your cost is about $25 per hour at $100 per packet	Completion time (by Law) 30 Hours. Your cost is about $2.33 per hour at $70 for classroom training

Ultimately the choice is yours, if you feel your son or daughter is a good candidate for home Study/Internet then Home Study/Internet may be right for them. But you as a parent you should also consider, will my child be a better, safer driver and learn more if he/she attends the traditional classroom for Driver's Education. (The above information was provide by the California Driver Education Association and Statewide Driving School, Inc. of Sacramento)