The report describes the methods used to develop a set of instructional objectives for driver education courses and an evaluation instrument to measure the attainment of these objectives. Both the objectives and evaluation instrument were based upon the results of a driving task analysis conducted earlier. Those driving behaviours considered critical enough to be required of all drivers were organised into a set of performance objectives and accompanying performance standards. A set of enabling objectives, describing the skills and knowledges required in carrying out performance objectives, was also prepared. The evaluation instrument was composed of the following three tests: (1) a driving fundamentals test, an off-road test to measure basic skills involved in controlling motion of the vehicle, (2) a driving situations test, a checklist of student responses to a series of planned and unplanned real-world driving situations, and (3) a driving knowledge test, 105 information items drawn from enabling objectives. All tests were pilot-tested at a neighbouring high school to establish their feasibility. Recommendations for additional development of the driving situations test are provided. See also IRRD abstract nos 60566 and 201965.
Abstract