CDI-Course Outlines...

~ Course Outline Information ~

Behind-The-Wheel Training / Classroom Education

PLEASE NOTE: All CDI Students must be an average or better new driver to receive a Certificate of Completion. For insurance discounts, additional lessons may be required or recommended. CDI does not guarantee that a student will automatically qualify for a State Drivers License. Much will depend on the level of practice a student gets between lessons.

IN THE CLASSROOM: With classroom time requiring thirty hours, CDI has made more efficient use of everyone's time by condensing ten, three-hour (after school) classes into just two weekends with only four sessions. Our goal is to develop attitudes and skills for safe, efficient and more cooperative driving by everyone. Our course also covers topics such as: Defensive Driving, Risk Management Techniques, mountain driving, driving in snow, personal responsibilities and consequences, speaking up to friends, the law, emergency situations, general first aid, habitizing search patterns, adverse driving techniques, and many more basic skills.

Each Session, listed below, is presented as an individual unit that can be made up, or taken in any sequence at any location. For example, Session-3 & Session-4 can be taken before Session-1 & Session-2. This format allows participants to miss a session when other life events create an attendance conflict. See Up Coming Schedules for a complete list of current and future Classroom Dates & Locations.

SESSION #1:

(8am-9am) INTRODUCTION, PARENT MEETING, CLASS RULES, CONTRACTS, AND FORMS: Parents attend the first hour of class to gain insight into what will be required of them in the months ahead behind the wheel. Current laws related to the Teen-Early Drive Priviledge and what the DMV now requires before issuing a teen permit, and any other questions that parents & teens may have are answered.

(9am-4pm)

I. GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER

Mingle Activity: Find Someone Who...
Purpose: Help students get to know each other and increase comfort level.

II. THE IMPORTANCE OF DRIVER’S EDUCATION

Brainstorm Activity: What words do you associate with ‘DRIVING’?
Purpose: Using a non-threatening activity to warm up Students to content.

Partner Activity: The importance of this class
Purpose: Students verbalize why they are in class and of what importance it may be for them.

Statistics and Card Activity: Reality Check
Purpose: Demonstrate the realities of driving for teens in Boulder County.

Line Up Statistics Activity: The Harsh Reality
Purpose: To further discuss why Driver's Ed is important using more statistics and requiring them to think and respond with the correct answer.

Pre-Test: How Much Do I Know Quiz?
Purpose: To briefly introduce some thematic topics and give the students an idea of how much they may not really know.

III. HOW TO BE A GOOD DRIVER

Common Sense: An important part of becoming a good driver
Purpose: To review some foundational elements of driving.

Approaches to Driving: Defensive Driving v. Risk Management
Purpose: To understand the fundamental approaches to driving.

Poster Activity- Four characteristics of Risk Management + Search Patterns
Purpose: To create a poster on one of the characteristics of risk and present it to the class.

Tailgating Exercise
Purpose: To demonstrate the importance of adequate following distance.

Chapter One Quiz
Purpose: To review material covered and to check student mastery.

IV. MANAGING TIME & SPACE

AAA Video- Managing Time and Space
Purpose: Ss will answer questions on REFERENCE SHEET while watching video.

Chapter 10 Line Up Exchange Activity (with Pre and Post worksheet check)
Purpose: To interactively cover material from Chapter 10 on Time and Space

Speeding: Does it make a difference?
Purpose: To discuss the topic of speeding and understand its futility.

V. WHAT’S IT LIKE TO BE BEHIND THE WHEEL?

Step-By-Step Demonstrations: Chapter 4- Starting, Moving and Stopping
Purpose: To familiarize Ss with the basic procedures for preparing to drive.

Question: What color are Reverse lights v. Brake lights?
Purpose: To ensure that Ss recognize the colors of reverse and brake lights

Video- The Mystery of ABS Brakes
Purpose: To discuss ABS and conventional brakes and how to use them.

Chapter 4 Worksheet Quiz
Purpose: To review material covered and to check student mastery.

V. TRAFFIC LAWS

BINGO Mingle: Chapter 5- Traffic Laws
Purpose: An interactive activity to find out what Ss already know and review specific traffic laws

Complete Session 1 Review Sheet

Homework: Find out if you have ABS in your car(s) at home; Read Handbook pp. 8-19; Begin driving observation sheet: Part I

SESSION #2:

I. SESSION #1 REVIEW: With a partner, discuss review questions

II. TRAFFIC LAWS
Right-of-Way Quiz- using what they learned from reading the CO Handbook, individually fill in the questions. Tell them that only drivers who are aware and use aggressive search patterns will be able to answer the 5 Principles of RoW. They will be hung around the room.
Traffic Laws Matching Game- Students find partner with matching color and number playing card. Work to match law with visual examples. There will be more than one example for many of the laws. When finished, they may use the text to check answers. Collect all materials from students.
100 feet of string
What would you do? Task- With same partner, students discuss the answers to the questions while going through powerpoint pictures as a class.
Chapter 5 Quiz and Worksheets 7-1 and 3-2

III. DRIVE FOR LIFE
Video- Drive for life: The National Safe Driving Test
Discuss Handout- Parent-Teen Vehicle-Use Agreement and Establishing Family Rules- Assign for homework

IV. VISION AND PERCEPTION
Vision Exercise with flashcards and mirrors-Students get into groups of 4 by lining them up according to their birthday and then grouping them in 4s. VERY SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS.
Chapter 9- Vision and Perception Group Discussion Sheet---same groups or students choose their own? Work inside or outside with textbook to complete the discussion sheet. Then discuss briefly as a whole group.
Video- Seeing After video, tell a partner 2 new things you learned from the video.

V. CLASSIC METHODS OF DRIVER AWARENESS
The Three Classic Methods of Driver Awareness (Smith System, SIPDE, Risk Management)
Small Group Activity: Students create a poster to illustrate one of the systems.

Video- The Ultimate Driving Challenge

VI. GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH YOUR VEHICLE
Chapter 2- Getting Acquainted with your Vehicle- With partner, see how much you know about what is inside the car. Then discuss important points as a class.
Handout- Airbags- Have students read and then discuss as a class

VII. TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES
Worksheet on Shapes of Signs
Video: Traffic Signs
Chapter 6—Traffic Signs Identification Activity
Cover chapter by talking about different signs then Ss write meanings of signs on worksheet. Students must identify the message each sign is communicating and place it in the correct area on the worksheet
Worksheet 3-4 to use as quiz/review for chapter.

VII. STEERING TECHNIQUES
Chapter 3- Understanding Vehicle Space Needs, Control, and Balance- cover chapter, test, and grade

Session 2 Class Review Sheet -- Homework: Establishing Family Driving Rules, Parent-Teen Vehicle-Use Agreement, Read Colorado Driving Handbook 19-31, Continue driving observation sheet, Check dashboard/instrument panel of your car

SESSION #3:

I. SESSION #2 REVIEW: With a partner, complete Worksheets 7-1 and 3-2, 3-4

II. INTERACTING WITH OTHERS ON THE ROAD
Chapter 11 Word Web—Who are the others on the road???
Anticipating Errors Categorizing Game—in small groups of 2 or 3, students determine the errors that correspond to each heading. Check Chapter 11 in the book for answers.
Communication—With a partner, describe how you would communicate the messages of page 11-7. Then ask each other:“Which method would you use to communicate each message?” on page 11-8.
No-Zone video
Interchanges, Merges and Passing—Use matchbox cars to simulate each situation

III. PEARLS OF WISDOM—Line-Up Activity

IV. TRAIN SAFETY PRESENTATION

V. BASIC MANEUVERS IN LOW RISK AREAS
Chapter 7- Basic Maneuvers Drawings- as the instructor illustrates each maneuver on the board, the students will create their own drawings on the sheet provided. Students may then use matchbox cars to practice the maneuvers.
Chapter 7 Worksheet Quiz and Worksheet 6-3

VI. CONSUMER’S GUIDE TO DRIVING
Chapter 13- Consumer's Guide to Driving- Brainstorm: What are possible things that could go wrong with your car?
Watch maintenance video—How to change a tire and jump your battery
Chapter 13 Worksheet—in groups of 3 or 4 and How to change a tire worksheet
Jump Start Your Car and Auto List Kits: What will you keep in your car?

VII. THE TRUTH ABOUT DRUNK DRIVING
Video- The Truth about Drunk Driving
Letter To My Parents (optional)
General Alcohol and Drunk Driving Statistics Worksheet—work with a partner

Session 3 Review Sheet

Homework: Continue Observation Sheet, Read Colorado Driver’s Handbook pp. 1-8,
Bring in News Article relating to traffic accident, review all material

SESSION #4:

I. SHARING STORIES
In Small Groups, discuss all News Articles brought in and address any life experiences.
News article: 1. Summary 2. Why did you choose it? Why is it important? 3. What can you learn from it?
Life experiences: Have they been in an accident? Someone they know? Has anyone they know died in one?
Ask if anyone wants to share article or experience with whole group.

II. KEEPING FIT TO DRIVE
Chapter 14- Poster in Groups of 4: brainstorm
What could affect your ability to drive?
Problems Solutions
Physical
Mental
Emotional
Briefly have students share main concepts with whole group. (optional)
Keeping Fit to Drive Worksheet

III. ADVERSE DRIVING CONDITIONS AND EMERGENCIES
Video-The Physics of Driving
Chapter 12- Cover chapter with Handout: Students take notes on first page of chart handout. Then use Jigsaw Activity with second page of chart. In groups of 3, students are assigned one of the topics (except last one) and be prepared to explain it to other students. Each person goes to a different group (3 groups of 9) to briefly explain his/her topic. Use books and CO Driver’s Handbook to gather information.
Worksheet (optional, if time)

IV. PERMIT REVIEW (depending on time, choose one or the other)
A. Jeopardy Game—all items are in the box in the left side of the cabinet
B. “Preparation Quiz” Read off all of the ‘answers’ for the Jeopardy Game and have students write down the ‘questions’

V. PERMIT TEST Grade BOST Tests and issue any retakes

Video- Pro Driving Attitudes while instructors are preparing all paperwork
Handout- Road Rage (also see CO D Handbook p. 26)
Handout- 5 Friends

VI. COLLISIONS, INSURANCE AND FIRST AID
Review procedure for scene of an accident
Cover First Aid
Handout- The Good Samaritan Law- Explain

VII. FINAL EXAM (Ask if there are any final questions before the test begins)
Students take final while instructors finish entering in attendance and ready affidavits of completion

VIII. RED ASPHALT

IX. ISSUE CERTIFICATES AND DOCUMENTS

Session 4 Evaluation Form

~ BEHIND-THE-WHEEL (BTW): What's Taught During Driving Lessons ~

BEHIND THE WHEEL (BTW)
The BTW course is designed to train students to drive on area roads in three to four lessons lasting two hours each. To accomplish this, practice of at least 4 hours is necessary between lessons, unless the student has previously logged in a high number of driving hours.

BASIC SKILLS LESSON
Demonstrate and explain dashboard, starting engine, mirror and seat adjustment. Show shift positions, hand positions on S.W., H.O.H., or P.P.S. Electric turn signals, hand signals, headlights on. Braking: Threshold / Anti-Lock Explain open intersections and right-of-way. Stop sign procedure and two-way vs. all-way. Curb procedure / lane changes with head check. Slowing and stopping / drive low to no traffic. Demonstrate and explain right and left turns.

NOTE : If Standard Lesson, stop here and go to Clutch Skills Lesson. If Automatic Lesson, go through Advanced Skills Lesson.

ADVANCED SKILLS LESSON
Parking lot maneuvers. Backing straight / with turns. Straight driving with multi-lane traffic. Roadway markings / traffic lights and signs. Parallel parking / parking on hills. Mountain driving (optional).

CITY AND TRAFFIC LESSION
Student has practiced, or possible extra lesson. Review slowing, right and left turns. Explain school zones / bus signals. Multiple traffic light intersection. Turn only lanes / double turn lanes. Right and left turns at red lights. One way streets / medium traffic. Passing - one way / two way. Angle and perpendicular parking reviewed. Lane changes / adjusting speed. Demonstrate low gear hold / auto. Review parallel parking.

FREEWAYS/INTERSTATE LESSON--HIGH VOLUME, HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC LESSION
Review lane changes. Anticipating lane changes in heavy traffic. Entering and / or holding proper lane in heavy traffic. Multiple lane changes in heavy traffic. Mirror monitoring. Turns on / off main arteries in heavy traffic. Freeway ramp techniques: entering and exiting, double exits. Sample BOST Test Given.

CLUTCH SKILLS LESSION (not applicable if automatic only)
Have covered #'s 1 - 9 of BASIC SKILLS LESSON. Creeping and holding (friction point). Hill starts / parking with clutch. Braking vs. downshifting into 2nd gear.

NOTE: All CDI Students must be an average or better new driver to receive a Certificate of Completion. For insurance discounts, additional lessons may be required or recommended. CDI does not guarantee that a student will automatically qualify for a State Driver’s License. Much will depend on the level of practice a student gets between lessons.

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Disclaimer: Driving is the most dangerous activity anyone participates in on a regular basis. Although driver's education insurance rates are among the lowest, and accidents are far below average, Colorado Driving Institute cannot guarantee anyone's safety while driving an automobile.