In a pioneering move, Emirates Driving Institute will now provide trainee drivers with special training CD’s to help them understand actual driving scenarios and manoeuvring techniques. An innovative driver training tool, this special CD will be introduced as part of EDI’s new driver training curriculum from 15 January 2007. The CD, which also includes driving tips, has been developed by Carillon Media (P) Ltd., an Indian company that specializes in SCORM compliant Learning Management Systems in coordination with EDI's Advanced Research Unit.
“EDI is the first driver training institute in the region to create and introduce such training CD’s,” said Mr Amer Ahmad Belhasa, managing director, Emirates Driving Institute (EDI). “We have already shown how technology can be used to enhance driver training with our advanced simulators. We now plan a complete revamp of our lecture program to include new topics, innovative visual aids and other driver training tools. These driver training CD’s are the first step in that direction.”
The newly developed driver training CD, which marks a watershed in driver training tools, has 6 different modules dealing with essential aspects of driver skills: Observing Lane Discipline – Traffic Signs, Signals and Road Markings – Intersections and Roundabouts – Signalling and Turns and Parking and a module titled Your Vehicle that explains the parts of the car and offers maintenance tips.
To ensure customer satisfaction, EDI invited a focus group of 20 trainees to evaluate the training CD’s who unanimously agreed it was an exceptional training tool. “I found it very helpful,” said Nasreen Khatoon, a member of the focus group. “It has definitely helped in increasing my awareness, especially about lane changing and lane discipline.” Mohammad Shakeel, another member of the group agreed. “I feel much more confident about taking my driving test now” he said. The group also offered suggestions which will be included in an updated version.
“A picture is worth a thousand words,” said Mr Belhasa. “Using animated graphics and images significantly enhances the learning process and makes training much more effective than lectures and books alone.”
EDI has a long tradition of using learning aids to supplement regular on-the-road training. Two years back, EDI launched Arabic and English editions of The Beginners Guide to Driving in the UAE which has been a great success.
About Emirates Driving Institute
EDI is one of the biggest driving institutes in the world and the winner of the Dubai Quality Award 2002 in the professional services sector. It has over 700 vehicles and has trained over 200,000 students and helped them obtain driving licenses. EDI has been a stickler for quality right from its inception in June 1991 – a fact reflected in the numerous awards and certifications that have come its way like the OHSAS 18001 certification for safety standards in 2006. EDI is the first driving institute in the world to get an ISO certification. It has received a certificate of appreciation from the Bureau Veritas Quality International and also has accreditation with the Institute of Advanced Motorists, UK. Earlier, the company won the Dubai Quality (in Professional Sector) Award and is an approved Assessment Centre for the International Association for Driver Education.
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