"The Worst Course of All"
Discussion
I chanced upon this public comment from Julian Smith. (Julian's the MD of RideDrive and he was reportedly the top student during his police advanced course at Chelmsford.) I thought it was interesting that he was so strongly critical about ADI training:
"I have to say that out of all the driving related activities I have ever been involved with, this one I enjoyed the least. In fact, I found it infuriating, even at times completely stupid. I am talking about the process of gaining a qualification that is required when becoming a driving instructor, the ADI badge."
This makes interesting reading
"I have to say that out of all the driving related activities I have ever been involved with, this one I enjoyed the least. In fact, I found it infuriating, even at times completely stupid. I am talking about the process of gaining a qualification that is required when becoming a driving instructor, the ADI badge."
This makes interesting reading
Edited by SVS on Sunday 5th January 23:05
I wonder how much things have changed or how much they will change in the next couple of years, and whether Julian (who apparently swears by the Blue Book, the older more traditional version of Roadcraft the police driving manual) would like the new approach which is supposed to focus more on outcomes and less on inputs.
SVS said:
I chanced upon this public comment from Julian Smith. (Julian's the MD of RideDrive and he was reportedly the top student during his police advanced course at Chelmsford.) I thought it was interesting that he was so strongly critical about ADI training:
"I have to say that out of all the driving related activities I have ever been involved with, this one I enjoyed the least. In fact, I found it infuriating, even at times completely stupid. I am talking about the process of gaining a qualification that is required when becoming a driving instructor, the ADI badge."
This makes interesting reading
That is a very damning statement. I've heard some pretty diabolical things about ADIs in various forums."I have to say that out of all the driving related activities I have ever been involved with, this one I enjoyed the least. In fact, I found it infuriating, even at times completely stupid. I am talking about the process of gaining a qualification that is required when becoming a driving instructor, the ADI badge."
This makes interesting reading
Edited by SVS on Sunday 5th January 23:05
Loved this bit:
"The daft thing about it is you have to choose between two scenario options according to what kind of driving lesson it is you are going to deliver. These choices are that of a learner driving lesson, or a fleet driver training lesson.
As neither applied to me..." What, not even this bit? http://www.fleet-driving-course.co.uk/fleet-drivin...
"The daft thing about it is you have to choose between two scenario options according to what kind of driving lesson it is you are going to deliver. These choices are that of a learner driving lesson, or a fleet driver training lesson.
As neither applied to me..." What, not even this bit? http://www.fleet-driving-course.co.uk/fleet-drivin...
7mike said:
I've heard some diabolical things about taxi drivers, cyclists, lorry drivers, bus drivers, Audi drivers and even 
BMW drivers. That's internet forums for you 
There will be good and bad ADIs for sure, the article was pretty damning about the course rather than the ADIs themselves though eh?
25NAD90TUL said:
LMAO me too! You forgot to mention 4x4 drivers!
There will be good and bad ADIs for sure, the article was pretty damning about the course rather than the ADIs themselves though eh?
Mr Smith did not mention a course, he did say he prepared himself for parts 1 & 2 and then took some training from a former DSA examiner prior to taking part 3. Do you mean it's pretty damning about the qualifying process? Can't say I'm a particular fan of that either in its current form. There will be good and bad ADIs for sure, the article was pretty damning about the course rather than the ADIs themselves though eh?
(PS 4x4 is ok as long as it's without the 'one life live it' sticker
) Like Mike, I read it to mean that Julian was damning about the qualifying process.
Incidentally, I certainly praise RideDrive for the OCN-accredited bike course I did with them. It was excellent.
7mike said:
Do you mean it's pretty damning about the qualifying process? Can't say I'm a particular fan of that either in its current form.
Since RideDrive hires ADIs, I doubt he meant to be damning about ADIs themselves. Julian used to be an active contributor to PH until a year or so ago; the articles he wrote for PH were very good. Perhaps he might chance upon this thread and comment himself.Incidentally, I certainly praise RideDrive for the OCN-accredited bike course I did with them. It was excellent.
Edited by SVS on Monday 6th January 20:51
I have only ever read good things about Ridedrive courses on this and other forums.
Back to 'The Worst Course', it is not just Julian who thinks this. I have heard from many ADI's whose work is about improving the performance of qualified drivers that the process of qualifying as an ADI is a completely unhelpful and very difficult irrelevance to their work, as is the need for periodic retesting.
Is the DSA approach the best way to teach learners? It would be good to hear views from ADI's who teach learners and also work in the advanced field.
Back to 'The Worst Course', it is not just Julian who thinks this. I have heard from many ADI's whose work is about improving the performance of qualified drivers that the process of qualifying as an ADI is a completely unhelpful and very difficult irrelevance to their work, as is the need for periodic retesting.
Is the DSA approach the best way to teach learners? It would be good to hear views from ADI's who teach learners and also work in the advanced field.
I don't know about 'worst course', sounds like the only training was for part 3 (which he was happy with) & the rest was just tests for him.
Seems a bit ironic that a strong advocate of adherence to a system in order to join an organisation is critical of a adherence to a system in order to join an organisation.
In my experience the DSA as an organisation appear to be less strict in respect of adherence than Roadcraft organisations.
Seems a bit ironic that a strong advocate of adherence to a system in order to join an organisation is critical of a adherence to a system in order to join an organisation.
In my experience the DSA as an organisation appear to be less strict in respect of adherence than Roadcraft organisations.
waremark said:
vonhosen said:
waremark said:
VH, are you an ADI? If so, how did you find part 3?
Yes, it was pretty straight forward, as were the check tests. 
I'm an ADI, and found the article "interesting", and dare I say it what many ADI's believe as well.
Parts 1 and 2 of the exam process are not difficult, and should be passed first time by most
Part 3 is not so easy, if you have not had training from someone who knows "How the system works" you will find it difficult to pass. Most ADI's worry when a "check test" is coming up, as to fail could loose your business/licence to teach for reward if you don't make the grade. This process is changing shortly, where we will have a different "standards" check, and I'm not concerned about it yet as I don't think I will be called forward for it for a while yet, but when I do, no doubt revert to the "system" of teaching for the check test so as to satisfy the DSA.
There are some very good ADI's out there, and others that are not so good.....just like any other job/career
Before ANYONE chooses an ADI they should first find out if the ADI is qualified or not.....most don't even know if their ADI is fully qualified, and those that are not are hardly going to volunteer the info. Ask if he/she has a "gren badge" and what grade they are, then ask them to prove the grade.....then decide if you want to learn from them....never go on price....if an ADI is charging 5 lessons for £55.00 then he is a t
t! LOL
Parts 1 and 2 of the exam process are not difficult, and should be passed first time by most
Part 3 is not so easy, if you have not had training from someone who knows "How the system works" you will find it difficult to pass. Most ADI's worry when a "check test" is coming up, as to fail could loose your business/licence to teach for reward if you don't make the grade. This process is changing shortly, where we will have a different "standards" check, and I'm not concerned about it yet as I don't think I will be called forward for it for a while yet, but when I do, no doubt revert to the "system" of teaching for the check test so as to satisfy the DSA.
There are some very good ADI's out there, and others that are not so good.....just like any other job/career
Before ANYONE chooses an ADI they should first find out if the ADI is qualified or not.....most don't even know if their ADI is fully qualified, and those that are not are hardly going to volunteer the info. Ask if he/she has a "gren badge" and what grade they are, then ask them to prove the grade.....then decide if you want to learn from them....never go on price....if an ADI is charging 5 lessons for £55.00 then he is a t
t! LOLEdited by watchnut on Wednesday 8th January 15:17
Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff