Preferred Visual Briefing System

Why Colourfile Professional Plus is the DIAs preferred visual briefing system.

I was delighted to have been asked, on behalf of the Driving Instructors Association (DIA), to review and provide the foreword to this excellent training aid. Having been involved with driver and instructor training for many years I have always found the Colourfile range of products to be a valuable resource, not only while teaching learners but also when training potential driving instructors. 

This is a comprehensive training aid that includes new subjects such as independent driving, dealing with bus and high occupancy vehicle lanes, rural roads, emergency vehicles, journey management and motorways. This information will be of great value to anyone preparing for their part three test of instructional ability or check test. The information is concise and the graphics are exceptionally clear. With key learning points for each subject methodically presented, instructors of all abilities can prepare their lessons with confidence. There is also a range of thought provoking questions to prompt the instructor to covering relevant aspects of each lesson.

Theory First constantly explores new ways to enhance their products and provide instructors with resources that are both educational and value for money. Colourfile Professional Plus has some unique additional features that will make planning lessons far more productive and enjoyable. These include suggestions of how to use each of the diagrams and clear links to eco-efficient driving and Pass Plus modules. It has been said that if you get the little things right the big things will follow; this is true when talking about the difference between satisfactory or unsatisfactory grades or passing a check test with a grade five or a six. So take your time in finding your way around this product and use as much or as little as you need to help you prepare.

Your students will appreciate the realistic images on the page and be able to link them to what is happening on the road. Whether you are teaching a controls lesson or taking someone out onto a motorway for the first time you will find something of value in this visual aid. The graphics are refreshingly free from clutter too, allowing instructors to develop each lesson in their own style. Space has also been provided for you, in the form of a white board, to help you develop scenarios with your student when necessary.

As the largest association of approved driving instructors the DIA is in a privileged position of being asked to review a vast range of training materials. Without doubt this is the most comprehensive of them all and will make a great addition to an instructor’s toolbox. I hope you enjoy using this product as much as I have reviewing it and wish you every success with your teaching career.

Steve Garrod Dip. D.I.

Manager,

Driving Instructors Association

January 2010

About the Authors

Dr. John Wells is well known in the driver training profession as a specialist author of training materials for driving instructors and learner drivers. Used nationwide by professional driver trainers and  instructor training establishments.

John’s materials are recommended by the leading trade body in the profession, the Driving Instructors Association.

A former instructor trainer John has also provided a consultancy service for those wishing to register with ORDIT, advising on training techniques and quality. He is a member of the DIA Education Committee and advisor to BUSK, the school transport safety consultancy.

A research scientist with numerous published papers, in his ‘spare time’ John is a volunteer Explorer Scout Leader and partner to Helen who understands ‘on a roll – see you next week!’

Jared Fortin is coauthor of the DIA approved training aid Responding To Emergency Vehicles, published by Theory First as a hand-out and shortly available as a DVD video presentation.

Jared is a self-taught graphic designer who has developed his skills over 10 years. He looks forward to completing numerous other CGI projects with John, currently in preparation.

In his spare time Jared trains for Olympic shot put and is the current GBPF powerlifting champion, a title he successfully defended in 2009. He also volunteers as a Scout Leader.

“It is the duty of every professional instructor to teach their clients to the highest possible standard in the interests of road safety. Whilst it may be that some clients are perhaps only interested in learning the absolute minimum in order to pass the basic 'L' test and obtain a driving licence, the instructor should introduce a solid foundation of knowledge for the pupil to build upon and thereby obtain a skill for life.”

Graham Fryer MBE, Chief Executive, DIA on the first edition of  Colourfile Professional.