Home-study driver education programs exist in several states, but none have been scientifically evaluated to determine if such courses are as effective as classroom-based courses for teaching driver education. Almost 1,500 students were randomly assigned to receive classroom instruction, a CD ROM home-study course, a workbook home-study course, or an Internet/workbook home-study course. Few differences were found on exit exam knowledge and attitude scores, but tended to favour the CD and Internet/workbook home-study courses over the workbook or classroom courses. Differences favouring classroom courses on department written test outcomes likely reflect bias in such courses towards teaching test-specific material. The findings present no compelling evidence that home-study courses are less effective than classroom courses for teaching driver education. The findings could result in more widespread use of home-study courses. The use of low-cost home-study courses as the first stage of a two-tiered driver education program could make such programs more feasible and acceptable to the public. (Author/publisher) See also ITRD E121024.
Samenvatting