subject: The Importance Of Vision In Driving School Instruction [print this page] What Is Vision? What Is Vision?
Modern driving schools now understand that training teens to manage their visual perception, or simply vision, is a key component of driver training. Through a variety of driving lessons, including classroom, behind the wheel, and computer simulation techniques, novice drivers can be taught to properly manage their vision. It is easy to think of vision as simple eyesight, but vision is indeed a very complicated topic. Vision includes not only the process of seeing, but the interpretation of what is seen, how to react, and where the drivers vision is "aimed".
Scanning Instruction In Driving Lessons
At first it may sound odd to "aim" your vision, but this is a critical component of driving that experienced drivers take for granted. In a novice teen driver, through a series of driving lessons and experience, they eventually learn how to properly scan and look for potentially hazardous situations. For instance, proper driver's education instructs a student to scan with their vision in a specific order which can maximize the amount of information that can be used to understand evolving situations. A proper program will be very regimented about scanning instruction and use reinforcement to help their students develop this critical skill while driving.
Aiming Vision
Driving schools also teach the concept of "high aim vision", which is another key component of the overall driver training process. It is also interesting to note that a large percentage of experienced drivers don't understand this concept so it is no surprise that novice drivers must work hard to aim their vision properly. In driver's education one goal is to train students to use high aim vision, which means to look ahead as far as possible. This allows the driver additional time to process the information and react appropriately.
Vision Instructional Techniques
Driving schools use a combination of three instructional formats, which when properly combined, can have a very positive impact on the student's ability to to avoid potential hazards during the first critical year of driving. The formats are:
Classroom. In the classroom, the theory of scanning and vision aim is introduced. Students are shown the proper techniques and given exercises to practice these techniques.
Online Simulation. Simulation can help to build the proper habits in students while they're trying to master the use of their vision. The use of simulation is new to drivers education and can be very effective in bridging the gap between theory and actual hands-on practice.
Behind The Wheel. This is where the teen driver gets to actually practice the theory on the road. Its very important that these driving lessons follow-on and reinforce what has been taught in the classroom.
Bottom Line
As the new breed of driving schools begin to emerge, critical skills such as vision management, take center stage. And given new technology, techniques, and research, they are updating their driving lessons to have a greater impact which is resulting in the well being of their graduates.
The Importance Of Vision In Driving School Instruction
