Choosing the correct location to train in is very important. I have found it a useful technique to give your pupil options as to where to train. You are the one who is creating the list of appropriate options, but ultimately the pupil owns the learning process by making these kinds of decisions. For example, let's say that you have just been working on junctions, and having done a de-brief, you then start the conversation about manoeuvres. It could go something like this:
Ok John, so moving on to manoeuvres. You had mentioned at the start of the session today, that you'd quite like to look at them at some point. Is this a good time?
Yea. I just wanted to see what all the fuss is all about.
How do you mean?
Well, a couple of my mates who are learning, have told me about the manoeuvres. I got the impression they are hard.
Well, one thing to say John, is that we all learn differently, something that one person finds difficult is not necessarily the same for another. Make sense?
Yea I guess, but even my Mum says she hates the reversing between two cars.
I've known full licence holders who hate driving on motorways John, or big roundabouts or near to lorries. For sure, some are going to feel weaker about manoeuvres. My point is that it isn't set in stone that all pupils hate manoeuvres or one particular one. Keep an open mind about learning to drive. You may be pleasantly surprised.
Ok then, so what's your knowledge on the different types of manoeuvres that people can do on the roads?
Not much. I've seen people parking up. That's about all.
Ok, well what could you and I use in this car, to give you some guidance?
The DVSA book?
Ok, open it up then and try and find some manoeuvres.
Having talked through the manoeuvres in the book and also some alternative manoeuvres that drivers at time use, John decided to look at parallel parking first of all. The conversation could continue like this:
So most of the time, you'll be parking between cars, while reversing - as you've seen in the book. It could be on the left or right side of the road. However, John, we could start off by taking a look at using just the one car to start off with?
Yea, that makes sense. What do I get on the test?
You could be asked to do it between cars, but there is a nice big gap John. Often though, it turns out to be with just the one car you reverse behind, and always on the left side of the road.
Why?
That's just how they do it on test. In a minute I can show you what it looks and feels like to do it to the left and right. And then you'll also see how it is to pull away afterwards. There are pro's and con's for both sides you see.
Ok, nice one. I think I'd like it if you could demo it first.
The first thing we need to work out John is where to go to look at this. Let me give you some options.
Ok.
It would kind of make sense to start off somewhere quiet. Do you agree?
Yep, for sure. I don't want to be distracted or holding drivers up.
And we need to go somewhere where there's going to be parked cars, with nice big gaps between them, yea?
Absolutely, the bigger the better.
Can you think of anything else that it's best to be steering clear of while you practice?
I guess anywhere where there are kids? So not near schools. I suppose not near pedestrians in general - so shops.
Ok, so a quiet residential area?
Yea.
Well, round here, we have a few choices. [A] [B] [C]
Ok. I don't know all of those, which do you think is best.
Well, [A] will have ...... [B] is slightly different because it will have...... And [C] is very similar to [A]. All three are about 5 minutes from here.
Ok, so shall we try [B] first, because I do know that area.
Does that conversation seem like a load of nonsense to you? How else could the conversation go? Let's look at this version:
Ok John, so moving on to manoeuvres. You had mentioned at the start of the session today, that you'd quite like to look at them at some point. I guess this is as good a time as any.
Ok.
So we might as well start off with bay parking. I always tell my pupils, it's the one you are going to do most. Make sense?
Errrr..... ok.
So let's just pop over to a place I know fairly nearby, I'll direct you John.
Ok.
In the second conversation, the ADI is controlling everything. This is what "instructor-led" driving training looks like. The pupil has no say in anything. The ADI is making all the decisions. Even if the location is very sensible in terms of ease and risk, the point is that the pupil is not considering these factors. So the ADI is in effect, robbing the pupil of the opportunity to develop those skills. You'll notice that the ADI chose the subject too. This is not how you retain pupils. The other thing to consider for a moment is how much the pupil owns the learning process. Should the pupil struggle or not enjoy the experience, then you can be sure it will be all the fault of the ADI in their mind (and you can hardly blame them, to be frank). By giving pupils options, they are controlling the outcomes of the experience. For sure we can assist them in any way they like. Some pupils may welcome a little nudge by their ADI. But you are providing them with the freedom in the learning environment to choose. That is the important bit.
I've heard ADI's say to me that the first conversation looks a bit tiresome, a bit long-winded. The thing to bear in mind is that in the early days, our role is to model good learning techniques for our pupil. They pick things up really quick. After just a couple of conversations they will see the theme. They will sense the importance of choosing the correct location helps them learn, avoids disrupting others, keeps things safe and makes for good outcomes. They will recognise that you are guiding them by offering options, and that will foster a relationship built on respect and trust.
It's no small matter that you are also allowing them to tap into thoughts and feelings that perhaps they have not had to do too much before. You are asking them what they prefer. You are inviting them to consider what are their strengths or weaknesses. You are encouraging them to recognise that it's not just a question of what they learn but crucially, how they learn; and that this can affect outcomes. Some of these thought processes may be unique.
Join BIG TOM Driving School Franchise https://drivinginstructortraining.bigtom.org.uk/
Thursday, 30 April 2020
Wednesday, 29 April 2020
How's your bedside manner?
You can have all the driving instructor tools and techniques, but if you struggle to communicate with customers effectively, then retention of pupils can be a big problem. I know this to be true. I'm still in the game; at least I am when I'm not being locked down. I've seen what happens when you ignore this problem.
A few real-life examples I offer in my opening:
A super confident pupil fails his driving test with two dangerous and one serious (and nine other driving faults). Naturally, he wants you to book him up another driving test, immediately.
After 34 hours of training, this pupil is struggling. She gets overwhelmed with the tasks, struggles with co-ordination, and it is painful to watch.
A tearful pupil with financial difficulties and low self-esteem wants to go to test. She is not combative or in denial about her low driving ability, but is desperate to get her driving licence.
The father passes you over a handful of cash, £300. "That should do it," he says to you "at least that was all I needed." He turns to look at his 17-year-old son, and the challenge that he sets is clear to all.
He asks to pull the car over and begins to tell you how crap he is. This pupil has had five attempts at the driving test with others and came to you for a new start. His confidence is low, is self-belief is in the gutter. When he makes eye contact with you, he is begging you for help.
You get a phone call from this pupil's mother. She is hearing from her son that you have reservations about his readiness to drive independently. He is apparently confused, she is confused, and she wants you to clarify what is going on.
This 34-year-old pupil learnt how to drive at 17, but much has changed. He is not progressing as he thought he would, given his previous experience.
While training with this pupil, he cannot see beyond the driving test. Whenever he makes mistakes (and there are plenty), he repeatedly asks: "But would that be ok on the driving test?"
The mother of this pupil goes on to your social media and posts a stinking review. She expected her son to have been taught quicker and warns others that you slow down the learning to increase the costs.
This pupil talks a lot. He wants you to drive away from his home and back home at the end. He is employing distraction techniques to avoid awkward conversations with you. The problem is, his Dad has high expectations and is applying tons of pressure on his son to progress quickly.
None of us receives any training on these situations that crop up. They are not covered in qualifying training or Standards Checks.
I am putting aside an entire morning this Friday 1/5/20 to discuss scenarios like these. I offer this interactive zoom webinar for free. If any participant wants to raise their own situation for discussion, feel free to raise it when prompted.
There is nothing theoretical about this CPD, the benefits to attendees are practical and meaningful. This is not a classroom debate.
Tell your ADI mates, tell any PDI's you know - there will be something for everyone here.
Simply text "help" to 07498364211, and you will be sent the link for the webinar.
Stay safe everyone.
Friday, 24 April 2020
We don't know what we don't know
You know that feeling when you start talking to a new pupil. That feeling of 'here we go again'. Generally speaking, pupils always have (and will) underestimate the task in hand to learn to drive. If you are a driving instructor who provides driving lessons on an 'as and when' basis, this presents little worry. Just because the pupil has no idea of what they don't know, why should that concern you? You ignore their ignorance and start giving them driving lessons. They are soon enough going to realise that they massively misunderstood the process of learning to drive.
It strikes me that we all, in this period of lockdown, could quite easily also be blissfully unaware of how we are mentally affected right now.
The problem is, of course, that none of us is conscious of what we are not conscious of. Who really knows?
The night before last, I found myself awake at 2 am, and properly awake. I eventually slept again at 5 am. Now, what do I know about my sleep patterns? I'm not a light sleeper; once I'm gone, that's it for me. I need 8 hours a night. I never struggle to start sleeping. If I do read before sleep, it won't be for long. A year or so ago, in one of my fitness periods when I used my Fitbit watch, it told me that I momentarily wake up a few times at night - but I was never conscious of it. What happened two nights ago was different. If it hadn't been dark outside, and 2 am, I would have quite happily got up, and started working. I was properly awake. Now that, I would submit, is not normal. That raises alarm bells in my mind. Equally as intriguing for me was that the next day, I did not feel in the slightest bit tired.
So where do I go with that? A bit like our pupils who want to start driving lessons, I started talking to people. The problem is, much like our pupils, everyone has got an opinion, and they don't always match. I can't honestly say I'm much the wiser. Some of the things that pupils have told me they have been advised by parents or friends about learning to drive, I would definitely say were unhelpful.
Try to keep an eye out for this though. Mental health is a funny old thing. I think it's a bit like knees - you'll take it for granted until you actually have a problem with it.
In terms of risk factors, although I'm no expert on the subject, I'd imagine that this period right now is heightened risk.
The first goal I would imagine is to actually recognise the little blips. I've got a couple of mindfulness podcasts that I subscribe to that I believe might help me out.
Stay safe, everyone.
It strikes me that we all, in this period of lockdown, could quite easily also be blissfully unaware of how we are mentally affected right now.
The problem is, of course, that none of us is conscious of what we are not conscious of. Who really knows?
The night before last, I found myself awake at 2 am, and properly awake. I eventually slept again at 5 am. Now, what do I know about my sleep patterns? I'm not a light sleeper; once I'm gone, that's it for me. I need 8 hours a night. I never struggle to start sleeping. If I do read before sleep, it won't be for long. A year or so ago, in one of my fitness periods when I used my Fitbit watch, it told me that I momentarily wake up a few times at night - but I was never conscious of it. What happened two nights ago was different. If it hadn't been dark outside, and 2 am, I would have quite happily got up, and started working. I was properly awake. Now that, I would submit, is not normal. That raises alarm bells in my mind. Equally as intriguing for me was that the next day, I did not feel in the slightest bit tired.
So where do I go with that? A bit like our pupils who want to start driving lessons, I started talking to people. The problem is, much like our pupils, everyone has got an opinion, and they don't always match. I can't honestly say I'm much the wiser. Some of the things that pupils have told me they have been advised by parents or friends about learning to drive, I would definitely say were unhelpful.
Try to keep an eye out for this though. Mental health is a funny old thing. I think it's a bit like knees - you'll take it for granted until you actually have a problem with it.
In terms of risk factors, although I'm no expert on the subject, I'd imagine that this period right now is heightened risk.
The first goal I would imagine is to actually recognise the little blips. I've got a couple of mindfulness podcasts that I subscribe to that I believe might help me out.
Stay safe, everyone.
Thursday, 23 April 2020
Lockdown is shutting down the UK
UK media and politicians are seemingly obsessed with disseminating fear amongst the public. The initial justification for this lockdown was to protect the NHS; this organisation that Jeremy Hunt would have us believe is the envy of the world. And of course, the loss of civil liberty is justified by 'the science'. You know, this group of anonymous people who are not required to allow the public access to the information used to develop their conclusions. The government are so keen to protect their jobs by complying with the recommendations of THIS group of people, but 'test, test, test' advice from the WHO can be ignored.
In the last three weeks, the number of critical beds capacity has increased dramatically with several satellite 'hospitals' cropping up across the UK courtesy of the extraordinary efforts of the army. Prevent the NHS becoming over-burdened at all costs is the goal. These actions are costing the UK a billion a day. The politicians did not want there to be instances of people with C-19 arriving at hospitals, waiting in ambulances, or dying while waiting in holding bays. More accurately, they did not want the media to hear of these instances, because those kind of horror stories create high status politician job losses.
If it is correct to consider that the truly 'vulnerable' in society with this virus are the elderly, then it would be logical to make extra provisions for monitoring this age group in care homes. But they didn't. The Government didn't even want to include those that die in care homes in their daily mortality statistics, let alone throw any resources in that direction.
This continual drip feeding of fear mongering will come at a cost. It comes down to perceived risk and we appear to be more than happy to erode our civil liberties for the reduction of risk. But as we know as driving instructors, that is a delicate balancing act. It is so easy and convenient to reduce the learning potential in the name of 'managing risk'. Contrary to WHO advice on the wearing of masks, we are still persisting with this idea that they are a necessity. Unless we all go around in space suits with individual oxygen supply, there is going to be risk involved in going shopping but you just manage it don't you? The shopping trips I'm doing now are bordering on the insane. With the passing of two weeks, we are all now queuing to get in to stores, so as to avoid crowding. Then we are 'invited' (at the moment anyway), to clean our trolley handles. We are all then walking around arrowed aisles avoiding each other like the plague (I notice men generally don't play this game with such enthusiasm as women). Some cashiers use PPE that looks like they are about to perform open heart surgery; others, wear nothing, not even gloves. I dare say give it a few days, and the wearing of masks by customers to just enter the store will become compulsory. At some point the government will be needing to reduce this heightened anxiety that they have been so keen to create. It does make me wonder about the levels of public compliance once the red mist begins to fade, and the true 'science' starts to emerge.
Tracking of our movements via phone apps, heightened ppe requirements. It's all coming our way. Have you seen images of the poor primary school kids in Wuhan? Isolated with plastic barriers around their desk, face masks on - but of course, it's all in the name of saving lives, so basically, don't anyone dare have an opinion contrary to 'the science'.
We have millions of able bodied people, cooped up indoors, slowly going mad, all so that we don't overload our incredible NHS. How Hancock sleeps at night after making political gain from the likes of 99 year old Captain Tom is beyond me. But Hancock knows full well that anything NHS related is gold dust. I had to stop watching his daily updates because of his insistence of associating himself (and his self-worth) with the genuine martyrs at times of conflict - namely the front line.
Continue with reasonable guidelines to assist the elderly, especially in locations where they reside, but can we please get our workers working again? Prevent over-crowding in trains and tubes by all means, continue the restriction of gatherings involving tens of thousands of people but get the shops, schools, roads open. Allow the country to get back on it's feet. In times of national crisis, there is a need to show some balls, but all I'm seeing from our politicians is the covering of arses.
In the last three weeks, the number of critical beds capacity has increased dramatically with several satellite 'hospitals' cropping up across the UK courtesy of the extraordinary efforts of the army. Prevent the NHS becoming over-burdened at all costs is the goal. These actions are costing the UK a billion a day. The politicians did not want there to be instances of people with C-19 arriving at hospitals, waiting in ambulances, or dying while waiting in holding bays. More accurately, they did not want the media to hear of these instances, because those kind of horror stories create high status politician job losses.
If it is correct to consider that the truly 'vulnerable' in society with this virus are the elderly, then it would be logical to make extra provisions for monitoring this age group in care homes. But they didn't. The Government didn't even want to include those that die in care homes in their daily mortality statistics, let alone throw any resources in that direction.
This continual drip feeding of fear mongering will come at a cost. It comes down to perceived risk and we appear to be more than happy to erode our civil liberties for the reduction of risk. But as we know as driving instructors, that is a delicate balancing act. It is so easy and convenient to reduce the learning potential in the name of 'managing risk'. Contrary to WHO advice on the wearing of masks, we are still persisting with this idea that they are a necessity. Unless we all go around in space suits with individual oxygen supply, there is going to be risk involved in going shopping but you just manage it don't you? The shopping trips I'm doing now are bordering on the insane. With the passing of two weeks, we are all now queuing to get in to stores, so as to avoid crowding. Then we are 'invited' (at the moment anyway), to clean our trolley handles. We are all then walking around arrowed aisles avoiding each other like the plague (I notice men generally don't play this game with such enthusiasm as women). Some cashiers use PPE that looks like they are about to perform open heart surgery; others, wear nothing, not even gloves. I dare say give it a few days, and the wearing of masks by customers to just enter the store will become compulsory. At some point the government will be needing to reduce this heightened anxiety that they have been so keen to create. It does make me wonder about the levels of public compliance once the red mist begins to fade, and the true 'science' starts to emerge.
Tracking of our movements via phone apps, heightened ppe requirements. It's all coming our way. Have you seen images of the poor primary school kids in Wuhan? Isolated with plastic barriers around their desk, face masks on - but of course, it's all in the name of saving lives, so basically, don't anyone dare have an opinion contrary to 'the science'.
We have millions of able bodied people, cooped up indoors, slowly going mad, all so that we don't overload our incredible NHS. How Hancock sleeps at night after making political gain from the likes of 99 year old Captain Tom is beyond me. But Hancock knows full well that anything NHS related is gold dust. I had to stop watching his daily updates because of his insistence of associating himself (and his self-worth) with the genuine martyrs at times of conflict - namely the front line.
Continue with reasonable guidelines to assist the elderly, especially in locations where they reside, but can we please get our workers working again? Prevent over-crowding in trains and tubes by all means, continue the restriction of gatherings involving tens of thousands of people but get the shops, schools, roads open. Allow the country to get back on it's feet. In times of national crisis, there is a need to show some balls, but all I'm seeing from our politicians is the covering of arses.
Tuesday, 21 April 2020
Driving Training and Tests for Critical Workers
I have just received the above clarification from the DVSA regarding driving training for critical workers and the emergency provision of driving tests. The NASP have provided some guidance to ADI's who wish to provide driving training for critical workers. Part of which includes the following:
And yet, when a critical worker goes to book up a driving test using this emergency provision, they are informed that they must at that time be ready to take the driving test at short notice:
Sunday, 19 April 2020
Rights and responsibilities
A few years ago, I wrote an ebook for people considering a new career as a driving instructor. In the book I hypothesised about the future of travel; how we will be making the everyday choices that we make for journeys. I brought up the idea that individuals will have key data 'markers' which will affect how much they pay for the options available to them. A simple example would be a person's weight and how that might affect the price of plane tickets. You can quite imagine that when blood and other samples are taken regularly, it will keep the State updated as to the responsibility that people are taking for their lifestyle and the effect it has on options available to them.
Think of smokers. The State doesn't want them to smoke, it creates a drain on the NHS; however, it doesn't feel that it can prohibit smoking point-blank. But it can and has created laws when smokers are around others; in buildings, cars, planes. Smokers may not take responsibility for their safety or others seriously, but the State sure as hell will.
And so it could very easily transpire with the management of viruses. History shows us that it is not possible to immediately formulate vaccines for all that crop up. So how does the State control this problem? It can place obligatory restrictions on people with certain medical conditions who are at higher risk, e.g. immunity issues.
This is not a choice; it is a requirement.
It can require people to regularly test their health for viruses (and other conditions) and create a 'live' data bank of verified individuals. Doctors screen dna and key health performance indicators. People are allowed to work and roam anywhere while 'verified'. It would be an offence for the verification period to lapse or to knowingly breach conditions when the status is compromised.
You could imagine the requirement to carry an external card with personalised data on it at all times. There is an obligation to 'swipe' to gain entry to supermarkets, swimming pools, theatres, libraries, work, tube trains etc. You can also imagine a chip that is inserted just beneath the skin (just like we do with tagging dogs), and scanners automatically detect this data when a person attempts to enter certain places.
At the start of every day, a person is able to provide a blood/urine/temperature/weight/breath sample from home. The amount of data provided has a direct link to the freedoms available that day. The type of work able to do, places that can be visited, modes of travel utilised. You get the drift. The more data to verify 'status' increases perceived worth - key workers for instance would be more valued and financially rewarded.
Think of smokers. The State doesn't want them to smoke, it creates a drain on the NHS; however, it doesn't feel that it can prohibit smoking point-blank. But it can and has created laws when smokers are around others; in buildings, cars, planes. Smokers may not take responsibility for their safety or others seriously, but the State sure as hell will.
And so it could very easily transpire with the management of viruses. History shows us that it is not possible to immediately formulate vaccines for all that crop up. So how does the State control this problem? It can place obligatory restrictions on people with certain medical conditions who are at higher risk, e.g. immunity issues.
This is not a choice; it is a requirement.
It can require people to regularly test their health for viruses (and other conditions) and create a 'live' data bank of verified individuals. Doctors screen dna and key health performance indicators. People are allowed to work and roam anywhere while 'verified'. It would be an offence for the verification period to lapse or to knowingly breach conditions when the status is compromised.
You could imagine the requirement to carry an external card with personalised data on it at all times. There is an obligation to 'swipe' to gain entry to supermarkets, swimming pools, theatres, libraries, work, tube trains etc. You can also imagine a chip that is inserted just beneath the skin (just like we do with tagging dogs), and scanners automatically detect this data when a person attempts to enter certain places.
At the start of every day, a person is able to provide a blood/urine/temperature/weight/breath sample from home. The amount of data provided has a direct link to the freedoms available that day. The type of work able to do, places that can be visited, modes of travel utilised. You get the drift. The more data to verify 'status' increases perceived worth - key workers for instance would be more valued and financially rewarded.
Friday, 17 April 2020
Learning by seeing
I just attended a DIA webinar on the Standards Check. Some excellent topics in the discussion, as is often the way. There was the use of full licence holders, which subject to cover for the location you are in and the pupil you present. Also, setting SMART goals, checking for learning, scaling for progress, re-setting goals when needed, doing a Pass-Plus session and more.
My only reservation with this kind of CPD is that it inevitably is classroom-based, meaning, theoretical. In theory, you need to do this, this and that, don't forget this, and always do that.
*gulp*
Some people just like to see things happen, and there is no shame in that fact. I rather suspect I fall into this category. I never hold back on swapping seats with a pupil, and just demonstrate what I am referring to. It can be very powerful.
My request this morning was that the DIA creates some in-car videos where the ADI does the Standards Check and as s/he mentions things, a graphic immediately appears on the video that relates to the score that would contribute to, and the competency it refers. In this way, DIA members get to see the trainer modelling the required behaviours.
They could make the video the length of the Standards Check and have a 'pupil' realistically role-playing. You imagine the power of them doing say 10 of those videos, with different 'pupils', different subjects, and showing how it would be graded by the DVSA - now that is what I call creating value to the DIA members.
My only reservation with this kind of CPD is that it inevitably is classroom-based, meaning, theoretical. In theory, you need to do this, this and that, don't forget this, and always do that.
*gulp*
Some people just like to see things happen, and there is no shame in that fact. I rather suspect I fall into this category. I never hold back on swapping seats with a pupil, and just demonstrate what I am referring to. It can be very powerful.
My request this morning was that the DIA creates some in-car videos where the ADI does the Standards Check and as s/he mentions things, a graphic immediately appears on the video that relates to the score that would contribute to, and the competency it refers. In this way, DIA members get to see the trainer modelling the required behaviours.
They could make the video the length of the Standards Check and have a 'pupil' realistically role-playing. You imagine the power of them doing say 10 of those videos, with different 'pupils', different subjects, and showing how it would be graded by the DVSA - now that is what I call creating value to the DIA members.
Thursday, 16 April 2020
Connecting with and understanding pupils
There are two key elements of an effective working relationship between pupil and BIG TOM driving instructor: connecting with the pupil, and understanding them. If you are interested in joining the BIG TOM franchise, have a read of this important blog.
It is simply not a given that all driving instructors connect with their pupils. We are all human and therefore prone to pick up vibes about others. A pupil may instinctively feel distrust towards their instructor or that they come from different, incompatible backgrounds. A lack of eye contact can demonstrate this or the quality of the verbal exchanges. It need not be a personal dislike, but just a general feeling of uneasiness.
Likewise, an instructor may have an instant sense of dislike on the first encounter with a pupil. It may have been to do with the conversations that took place prior to the driving lesson; the tone, the negotiation of price, how the timing was agreed. But equally, it may be relating to lack of hygiene where the pupil who looks or smells dirty is now sitting in the instructor's workplace for the next 2 hours.
There can be unconscious factors at work which we do not even perceive. Pupils may feel uncomfortable with the driving instructor's gender, age, size, facial appearance, regional accent. If you were to ask the pupil, they might not even mention it, but deep down, it affects how they feel about the situation. Similarly, driving instructors can quickly (and quite naturally) formulate specific profiles of customer that they have detected over time, cause them grief. As unjust as it is, it is human instinct and very difficult to remove.
Understanding a pupil is equally as important to work on. And it is work. A lazy instructor may eventually acknowledge an important factor, but much time has passed with that pupil, and frankly, not all are going to stay loyal for the lazy instructor.
When there is a sense of trust, honesty and confidentiality in a working relationship, then pupils will be more inclined to open up about their thoughts and feelings. Instructors who don't get this factor of understanding have not cultivated genuine working relationships and therefore tend to have a skewed perception of the norm. It was Euripides who said: "My tongue swore, but my mind's unsworn."
It takes a brave soul to admit weaknesses of intellect, learning, character, belief, attitude or upbringing. How well do we really all know ourselves in any case? One of the smartest objectives a person could have in their life is to come to terms about how their upbringing has made their adult life weak. But a BIG TOM driving instructor makes no judgement and adapts to what their pupils tell them.
Does all this matter? You bet your life it does. Unhappy experiences when providing 1:1 driving training can leave deeply profound mental scars for either pupil or instructor. There is no time limit as to how long those thoughts stay with us.
It is simply not a given that all driving instructors connect with their pupils. We are all human and therefore prone to pick up vibes about others. A pupil may instinctively feel distrust towards their instructor or that they come from different, incompatible backgrounds. A lack of eye contact can demonstrate this or the quality of the verbal exchanges. It need not be a personal dislike, but just a general feeling of uneasiness.
Likewise, an instructor may have an instant sense of dislike on the first encounter with a pupil. It may have been to do with the conversations that took place prior to the driving lesson; the tone, the negotiation of price, how the timing was agreed. But equally, it may be relating to lack of hygiene where the pupil who looks or smells dirty is now sitting in the instructor's workplace for the next 2 hours.
There can be unconscious factors at work which we do not even perceive. Pupils may feel uncomfortable with the driving instructor's gender, age, size, facial appearance, regional accent. If you were to ask the pupil, they might not even mention it, but deep down, it affects how they feel about the situation. Similarly, driving instructors can quickly (and quite naturally) formulate specific profiles of customer that they have detected over time, cause them grief. As unjust as it is, it is human instinct and very difficult to remove.
Understanding a pupil is equally as important to work on. And it is work. A lazy instructor may eventually acknowledge an important factor, but much time has passed with that pupil, and frankly, not all are going to stay loyal for the lazy instructor.
When there is a sense of trust, honesty and confidentiality in a working relationship, then pupils will be more inclined to open up about their thoughts and feelings. Instructors who don't get this factor of understanding have not cultivated genuine working relationships and therefore tend to have a skewed perception of the norm. It was Euripides who said: "My tongue swore, but my mind's unsworn."
It takes a brave soul to admit weaknesses of intellect, learning, character, belief, attitude or upbringing. How well do we really all know ourselves in any case? One of the smartest objectives a person could have in their life is to come to terms about how their upbringing has made their adult life weak. But a BIG TOM driving instructor makes no judgement and adapts to what their pupils tell them.
Does all this matter? You bet your life it does. Unhappy experiences when providing 1:1 driving training can leave deeply profound mental scars for either pupil or instructor. There is no time limit as to how long those thoughts stay with us.
Tuesday, 14 April 2020
For the love of God, hold his hand
I'm struggling when I hear of these young children who die in a hospital bed, alone. A report this morning speaks of a 13-year-old who had no-one by him as he died. Quite why Mum and Dad can't be allowed to suit up and hold his hand at this time is beyond me. It is desperately sad; I'm finding it too sad to even imagine.
There appears to be no depth in the strategy of how this virus is being handled. The level of thinking appears to be akin to that needed to play draughts when, in fact, the strategy required is more suited to a game of chess. Just before the official announcement of the lockdown, the writing was on the wall, and I popped in the letterbox of three neighbours in my street a note to offer my assistance and let them know they are not alone. One of them has just spent six nights in a hospital with pneumonia and managed to get sent home again, having been tested and told NOT to have C-19. Nothing far short of miraculous as far as I can tell. But her other half was left at home, not a well man, fending for himself, worried sick about his poor wife. I've just gone and got a prescription for him, and as I dropped it off, both of them are leaving the house, to walk to the Doctors for their appointments. She only got released from hospital 24 hours ago.
It seems that in all our attention regarding the lack of PPE in hospitals, the elderly in nursing/care homes have been neglected; and the staff inside them too. Given the fact that the elderly are the most vulnerable in this situation, would it not have been sensible to at least consider where they can normally be located in society?
What's needed is more depth. You imagine what data is available in communities about the elderly. It would not be beyond human capability to gather data, predict high risk locations and individuals and proactively prepare.
More testing, and sooner would have been good. Quite why other countries can realise that simple fact, yet we appear unable to is worrying. But if people show symptoms, drill down on contact points for those individuals and manage the isolation of all concerned. Granted, that takes effort and resources, but this blanket shutdown of the nation is a poor substitute. It's blunt; it's insensitive and not smart.
I rather suspect it will also turn out to be terribly harmful to the mental health of our population as well as fatal for our economy.
I appreciate it is easy for me to sit here in true keyboard warrior style, criticising this and that, but closing down our nation while also allowing 13-year-old children to die in a hospital alone is cruel. It is heartless, and in my eyes anyway, it is unacceptable. You just try and imagine for one minute how terrifying and lonely these poor children must feel - to me, that is just too much.
There appears to be no depth in the strategy of how this virus is being handled. The level of thinking appears to be akin to that needed to play draughts when, in fact, the strategy required is more suited to a game of chess. Just before the official announcement of the lockdown, the writing was on the wall, and I popped in the letterbox of three neighbours in my street a note to offer my assistance and let them know they are not alone. One of them has just spent six nights in a hospital with pneumonia and managed to get sent home again, having been tested and told NOT to have C-19. Nothing far short of miraculous as far as I can tell. But her other half was left at home, not a well man, fending for himself, worried sick about his poor wife. I've just gone and got a prescription for him, and as I dropped it off, both of them are leaving the house, to walk to the Doctors for their appointments. She only got released from hospital 24 hours ago.
It seems that in all our attention regarding the lack of PPE in hospitals, the elderly in nursing/care homes have been neglected; and the staff inside them too. Given the fact that the elderly are the most vulnerable in this situation, would it not have been sensible to at least consider where they can normally be located in society?
What's needed is more depth. You imagine what data is available in communities about the elderly. It would not be beyond human capability to gather data, predict high risk locations and individuals and proactively prepare.
More testing, and sooner would have been good. Quite why other countries can realise that simple fact, yet we appear unable to is worrying. But if people show symptoms, drill down on contact points for those individuals and manage the isolation of all concerned. Granted, that takes effort and resources, but this blanket shutdown of the nation is a poor substitute. It's blunt; it's insensitive and not smart.
I rather suspect it will also turn out to be terribly harmful to the mental health of our population as well as fatal for our economy.
I appreciate it is easy for me to sit here in true keyboard warrior style, criticising this and that, but closing down our nation while also allowing 13-year-old children to die in a hospital alone is cruel. It is heartless, and in my eyes anyway, it is unacceptable. You just try and imagine for one minute how terrifying and lonely these poor children must feel - to me, that is just too much.
Friday, 10 April 2020
God made time for man, not man for time.
I doubt I will see times like these in my lifetime again. To celebrate such an important liturgy in Holy Week as Good Friday outside of the church - is just one indicator of how extraordinary these times are proving. My empty church was broadcasting live on YouTube - I didn't think I would ever see that in my life.
Otherwise, that aside, I appear to be bearing up as we come to the end of the third week of this lock-down. I've been taking my excess of 5 stone for 5-9km walks every day; I think it fair to suggest that I stand more chance of dying from a heart attack than I do from contracting C-19. I've been preparing a section of the garden for paving; reading with gusto; listening to some great tunes and networking online. I will admit, though, that there is no substitute for speaking to people face to face. Video conferencing is better than nothing, but you do lose the dynamics involved in good banter when speaking to people in the flesh so to speak. Prior to the lock-down, I had been meeting people in Wisbech, Peterborough, Spalding and Boston - and I do miss the company.
We are social creatures, we need human contact, but there is something that I find attractive about the time that this lock-down provides and the flexibility of how we choose to use it. I invested 2 hrs and 41 mins watching Carthusian monks of the Grande Chartreuse in the French Alps. The film by Phillip Groning has no dialogue, not verbal anyway, but if you allow it to, "Into Great Silence" will say a great deal to you. I gained so much from that investment in time and I seriously do wonder about the mental health of many who appear to be addicted to social media. HMG should have considered distancing of social media interaction along with their social distancing conditions!
As you may well know, I don't take this blogging too seriously, where some provide all the connected links to previous blogs. But some time ago, I had mentioned about the power of silence in the learning environment when we are driving training. Silence provides space for pupils, and it allows them to breathe; it can be harmful to feel this urge to endlessly jabber. There is not enough of that kind of thinking about learning. Standards checks condition us into thinking we have to bombard our 45 minute assessment with as much ticky box verbals as possible. The irony is, while we are busy doing that, we are adversely affecting our customer experience. Top grades and unhappy pupils - cosmic.
Stay safe everyone.
Friday, 3 April 2020
Got some free time?
If you are a DIA member and have a few minutes to spare, the DIA academy (seperate sign on) has some cool stuff going on at the moment. I've attended a webinar today and done an online first aid awareness course. I appreciate there is only so much you can 'learn' online, but some of the information (knowledge) is good to know. I also got a real sense that Olivia was keen to support us on her webinar.
It also shows a bit of positive modelling if you are inviting your pupils to do some study in this lockdown period.
Video calls for beginners
You've been invited to a video call for a work-related discussion. Before going into a deep panic mode, take a look at this simple list of guidelines to help you create the ideal experience for you and everyone else attending. Never done one before, no idea on tech, worried how you look or what you will sound like, don't want to come across as the novice.... whatever your reasons, grab a cuppa, and let me walk you through the process.
When considering which device to use for your video call, there are a couple of practical considerations. Mobile phones are ok to use but please spare a thought for the other attendees when it comes to the movements that will be inevitable if you are holding the phone. If you are out and about moving at the time, there are bound to be more interruptions to your thought processes (distractions) as well as possibly signal feed. You won't necessarily realise what impact you are having on the general experience for all: if your video keeps freezing or your verbals are muffled or let's be clear if you are struggling to keep on point because you are distracted. When you facetime a friend or family, they are happy to put up with all of those factors, but business people communicate for other reasons and efficiency comes pretty high on attendees priorities. The other limitation with using a mobile is the functionality, the technical options available to you are not quite so obvious as with a standalone pc or laptop. The visibility on the screen is restricted, and it is just not obvious how to do certain things. Again, it often comes down to time, where you are now asking attendees to pause while you 'play around on the phone' to find the 'call log' or connect to the whiteboard or customer survey link etc.
Where to be in the house? I recently saw a video call on the BBC where the interviewee was all dressed in a suit, talking very seriously about COVID-19 while sitting on his bed facing the door to the bedroom. The tension it created was unbelievable. I was just praying that the family dog or 5-year-old toddler didn't give a sudden guest appearance to millions of UK viewers! The visual background for where you sit is not overly important because there are options to make it fuzzy to other viewers or you can utilise a virtual background. But the potential for interruptions is the key. In these days where everyone is working from home, people generally recognise the challenge this brings.
How do you connect up to the video call? It is normally very easy. The age of your equipment will have some bearing on this point. Processor speeds, wifi feed, software levels can affect the experience. You won't know of course, until you try it. You might be sent a personal 'link' to the meeting via an email or text, or there will be a 'link' provided on a social media post which everyone can see, copy and then paste when prompted to by the platform host. When I say 'link' some may not know what I'm referring to. When I email a BIG TOM customer a 'link' for a meet on Microsoft Teams, all that is needed is literally to click where instructed to. The message will go something like:
Hi Helen,
Looking forward to meeting up this morning at 10am, please click on the message below when you are ready to join:
It is not normally a requirement to download a certain app to connect. There are so many platforms available to everyone these days, that often, you can simply connect up by clicking on the link. By platforms, I'm referring to who the host of your meeting is using to conduct the call, e.g. zoom, microsoft teams, skype, google hangouts. As an attendee, you don't control that side of things, but rest assured all of these companies are fighting hard at providing a good quality, free, user experience.
Which browser you use when you connect up and how well updated your software is can have an impact on the ease at which you connect. But as a general rule, don't be frightened, you can't 'break' anything. Never be afraid to try these things out, you may well be pleasantly surprised at just how easy the process is.
You're in, what happens next? You are probably going to be prompted to formally allow the host platform to use your microphone and camera for the purposes of the video call. You simply click on the 'yes' box. If the session is being recorded*, you may be asked to formally agree to that too, before you join everyone. When you 'arrive' into the video call, you probably will have your microphone automatically muted. When you are muted, there will be a small microphone sign visible to you, with a line through it - telling you that if you talk, no-one can actually hear you. You have to click on that symbol to unmute your microphone. Your arrival may automatically be announced to everyone already in the call, although that particular feature is losing favour as it is often tiresome and distracting. In which case, you could choose to simply smile and wave without unmuting your microphone, or very likely, if able, the host to the call will notice you have joined, welcome you, and that is your prompt to unmute the microphone and say your greetings (remember to smile).
There is a whole range of features that can be utilised depending on the group needs; just allow your host to guide you. Enjoy!
Before I close, there are a few little traps to beware of. Don't be afraid about this; I've committed all of these and some horrendous howlers. But some nice little tips might help you on your way?
Wear earphones. There are loads of reasons why that is good advice, just enter the meeting already wearing earphones.
Don't talk loudly. Everyone can hear you just fine.
Mute yourself when you are in listening mode. You won't then transmit to everyone on the call any noise that you make.
Don't get too close to the camera - your face will be really big.
Keep on track - it is so easy to ramble off on an unrelated subject. This isn't a phone call; you have 5, 10, 20 + people all getting bored to tears with your ramble. There is nothing quite so off-putting as having to watch and listen to a person who is full of their self-importance, banging on about something that is off point, boring and taking ages to tell the story!
When considering which device to use for your video call, there are a couple of practical considerations. Mobile phones are ok to use but please spare a thought for the other attendees when it comes to the movements that will be inevitable if you are holding the phone. If you are out and about moving at the time, there are bound to be more interruptions to your thought processes (distractions) as well as possibly signal feed. You won't necessarily realise what impact you are having on the general experience for all: if your video keeps freezing or your verbals are muffled or let's be clear if you are struggling to keep on point because you are distracted. When you facetime a friend or family, they are happy to put up with all of those factors, but business people communicate for other reasons and efficiency comes pretty high on attendees priorities. The other limitation with using a mobile is the functionality, the technical options available to you are not quite so obvious as with a standalone pc or laptop. The visibility on the screen is restricted, and it is just not obvious how to do certain things. Again, it often comes down to time, where you are now asking attendees to pause while you 'play around on the phone' to find the 'call log' or connect to the whiteboard or customer survey link etc.
Where to be in the house? I recently saw a video call on the BBC where the interviewee was all dressed in a suit, talking very seriously about COVID-19 while sitting on his bed facing the door to the bedroom. The tension it created was unbelievable. I was just praying that the family dog or 5-year-old toddler didn't give a sudden guest appearance to millions of UK viewers! The visual background for where you sit is not overly important because there are options to make it fuzzy to other viewers or you can utilise a virtual background. But the potential for interruptions is the key. In these days where everyone is working from home, people generally recognise the challenge this brings.
How do you connect up to the video call? It is normally very easy. The age of your equipment will have some bearing on this point. Processor speeds, wifi feed, software levels can affect the experience. You won't know of course, until you try it. You might be sent a personal 'link' to the meeting via an email or text, or there will be a 'link' provided on a social media post which everyone can see, copy and then paste when prompted to by the platform host. When I say 'link' some may not know what I'm referring to. When I email a BIG TOM customer a 'link' for a meet on Microsoft Teams, all that is needed is literally to click where instructed to. The message will go something like:
Hi Helen,
Looking forward to meeting up this morning at 10am, please click on the message below when you are ready to join:
It is not normally a requirement to download a certain app to connect. There are so many platforms available to everyone these days, that often, you can simply connect up by clicking on the link. By platforms, I'm referring to who the host of your meeting is using to conduct the call, e.g. zoom, microsoft teams, skype, google hangouts. As an attendee, you don't control that side of things, but rest assured all of these companies are fighting hard at providing a good quality, free, user experience.
Which browser you use when you connect up and how well updated your software is can have an impact on the ease at which you connect. But as a general rule, don't be frightened, you can't 'break' anything. Never be afraid to try these things out, you may well be pleasantly surprised at just how easy the process is.
You're in, what happens next? You are probably going to be prompted to formally allow the host platform to use your microphone and camera for the purposes of the video call. You simply click on the 'yes' box. If the session is being recorded*, you may be asked to formally agree to that too, before you join everyone. When you 'arrive' into the video call, you probably will have your microphone automatically muted. When you are muted, there will be a small microphone sign visible to you, with a line through it - telling you that if you talk, no-one can actually hear you. You have to click on that symbol to unmute your microphone. Your arrival may automatically be announced to everyone already in the call, although that particular feature is losing favour as it is often tiresome and distracting. In which case, you could choose to simply smile and wave without unmuting your microphone, or very likely, if able, the host to the call will notice you have joined, welcome you, and that is your prompt to unmute the microphone and say your greetings (remember to smile).
There is a whole range of features that can be utilised depending on the group needs; just allow your host to guide you. Enjoy!
Before I close, there are a few little traps to beware of. Don't be afraid about this; I've committed all of these and some horrendous howlers. But some nice little tips might help you on your way?
Wear earphones. There are loads of reasons why that is good advice, just enter the meeting already wearing earphones.
Don't talk loudly. Everyone can hear you just fine.
Mute yourself when you are in listening mode. You won't then transmit to everyone on the call any noise that you make.
Don't get too close to the camera - your face will be really big.
Keep on track - it is so easy to ramble off on an unrelated subject. This isn't a phone call; you have 5, 10, 20 + people all getting bored to tears with your ramble. There is nothing quite so off-putting as having to watch and listen to a person who is full of their self-importance, banging on about something that is off point, boring and taking ages to tell the story!
Thursday, 2 April 2020
Resisting sound advice
Little children need milk
but grown children need trust
John is laying on his bed, browsing YouTube video clips when an ad interrupts his stream:
"Texting while driving kills lives"
John is sat with 32 other students in his PSHE class:
"And so you see everyone, the longer your eyes are off the road looking at the phone, the more distance you travel and therefore the more risk there is of hitting something."
John's about to start a driving lesson:
"Morning John, how are you?"
"Not bad thanks, and you?"
"I've been worse thank you. Here, switch the phone off and pop it in the glovebox."
John's Mum at the tea table:
"The thing is John, you hear on the news all the time that kids your age are still using mobiles while they drive. It's dangerous John."
John passes his driving test and is on the phone to his car insurers:
"Yes, I'm afraid that is just the way it is these days John. Still if you drive sensibly, have no accidents, then the yearly premium of £1832.68p does start to reduce."
John is alone in his car, slowly driving towards a red traffic light in a queue of traffic:
The phone in his pocket buzzes. He takes it out of his pocket, reads the notification: "?"
His fingers tap back: "DW speak later"
Unbeknown to John, there is a cyclist who is riding alongside his window, with a camera, recording his actions. The footage includes footage of John's face, the car moving, John using the phone and the registration of his car.
At home, on a sunny Saturday morning. John is feeling pretty good about things, he goes to pick up the post by the front door. He opens a letter addressed to him informing him that the Police have received evidence of him using his mobile while driving. He is due to receive 6 points on his driving licence, a £200 fine and asks if he intends to plead guilty and therefore lose his driving licence as he only passed his driving test 4 months previously, or whether he would like to go to court and contest the matter.
Wednesday, 1 April 2020
Skills of being a driving instructor
We learn as we do. At least, we have the opportunity to as driving instructors, brain surgeons, plumbers and video chat attendees.
Britain has a renowned chess grandmaster by the name of Jonathan Rowson; he is a three-time British champion. He lost against a Russian grandmaster called Alexander Baburin, who has an interesting take on the timing of learning. When Rowson told Baburin that he had 'learned' from the brutal experience, Baburin replied, "You know this has to stop. You are not here to learn; you are here to win."
But we can learn as we instruct our pupils. If ever there is a breakdown in the working relationship, that is an ideal time to reflect on why events unfolded as they did. Often, it will come down to the skills and resources around the instructor. Without wanting to switch off any male readers instantly, dare I suggest it comes down to how well we communicate. The ability to pick up on our pupil's feelings, tap into frustrations, concerns, obstacles that affect learning. To counterbalance for my audience, consider a well-stocked shed or garage with equipment and tools that are right for the job in hand. To be able to delve into your personal toolbox of skills and resources and facilitate learning to overcome hurdles.
The BIG TOM franchise has these resources ingrained into the work practices. For sure, not all new BIG TOM instructors will necessarily have all the skills but with our guidance and your willingness to 'learn as you do' - great things can be achieved.
BIG TOM is recruiting for driving instructors. Email me for an information pack. recruit@BIGTOM.org.uk
Britain has a renowned chess grandmaster by the name of Jonathan Rowson; he is a three-time British champion. He lost against a Russian grandmaster called Alexander Baburin, who has an interesting take on the timing of learning. When Rowson told Baburin that he had 'learned' from the brutal experience, Baburin replied, "You know this has to stop. You are not here to learn; you are here to win."
But we can learn as we instruct our pupils. If ever there is a breakdown in the working relationship, that is an ideal time to reflect on why events unfolded as they did. Often, it will come down to the skills and resources around the instructor. Without wanting to switch off any male readers instantly, dare I suggest it comes down to how well we communicate. The ability to pick up on our pupil's feelings, tap into frustrations, concerns, obstacles that affect learning. To counterbalance for my audience, consider a well-stocked shed or garage with equipment and tools that are right for the job in hand. To be able to delve into your personal toolbox of skills and resources and facilitate learning to overcome hurdles.
The BIG TOM franchise has these resources ingrained into the work practices. For sure, not all new BIG TOM instructors will necessarily have all the skills but with our guidance and your willingness to 'learn as you do' - great things can be achieved.
BIG TOM is recruiting for driving instructors. Email me for an information pack. recruit@BIGTOM.org.uk
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