The effectiveness of home-study driver education compared to classroom instruction: the impact on student knowledge and attitudes.

PROBLEM: 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 courses for teaching driver education.

METHOD: Over 1,300 students were randomly assigned to classroom instruction, or CD ROM, workbook, or Internet/workbook home-study courses and compared on proctored exit examination knowledge and attitude scores, and written knowledge test outcomes.

RESULTS

Few differences were found on exit examination knowledge and attitude scores, but they tended to favor the CD and Internet/workbook home-study courses over the classroom or workbook courses. Differences favoring the classroom on written knowledge test outcomes likely reflect a bias in classroom courses toward teaching test-specific material.

DISCUSSION: The findings present no compelling evidence that home-study courses are less effective than classroom courses for teaching driver education.

IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: The findings could result in more widespread use of home-study courses. Also, the use of low-cost home-study courses as the first course of a two-stage driver education and training system could make integrating such programs with graduated driver licensing more feasible and acceptable to the public.