introducing driving as a module?? ANY chance?

emmanuels-baby

with the crackdown on provisional licensed drivers underway..is there ANY chance that UCD might ever introduce a "rules of the road/driving" module or something to that effect...i mean, i've seen some pretty far-out modules knocking about..so why not this???? i must ask
good auld aodhán o dea what the likelihood is..probably slim..but hey..

anyway, i defo believe that "rules of the road" should be part of the CSPE junior cert course!!! the government say they're implementing this new law to promote road safety..and honestly, i can't argue with that...but if they really wanna crack the nut, then WHY NOT have 15 year olds learning this stuff properly in school!!! it's just as relevant (if not more relevant) as the politics etc they're taught!!!

any opinions?

"edit"...to clarify.. i mean having a driving instructor teach students how to drive..NOT just theory

gubbie

It was a subject that we did in 4th year. I wouldn't bring it in because if you knew what it was to have to sit through these classes you'd know that 90% of people would show to the first one and never go to another one. You really don't need to be taught that the number 120 with a red ring around it means "120 km/hr area". So no one will go and it'll just be a big waste of resources

I personally think its pointless teaching it before people are 17, although 4th year was a great time to learn it as well thats the sort of thing you do in 4th year! And secondly many people would be turning 17 at the end of that year or the start of the next

kowloon

Another underwater basket weaving module to further devalue the paper handed out at the end of your course? Hell yeah! :pac:

Cannibal Ox

Brilliant

But...no. For one, you're only encouraging people to drive, and when you can't get a parking space in the college after 11, you probably shouldn't be encouraging anyone else to drive.

thebigmc

ya a cycling to college elective module would be better imo

It's ridiculous the amount of people driving to college who could easily use public transport or cycle, looking foreward to the price of petrol stopping all the rich kids driving mums car on their provisional,
/bitter cyclist rant

gubbie

thebigmc wrote: »

It's ridiculous the amount of people driving to college who could easily use public transport or cycle, looking foreward to the price of petrol stopping all the rich kids driving mums car on their provisional,
/bitter cyclist rant

I don't think they're going to be the people affected

Shazbot

I hear they have a small book called "rules of the road" , there is also a cd-rom with similar information and sample tests. That should be more than enough to educate people on the rules of the road, worked for me anyway.

A module on a the rules of the road would be a massive waste of time and effort.

Bah, beat me to it gubbie.

emmanuels-baby

Cannibal Ox wrote: »

Brilliant

But...no. For one, you're only encouraging people to drive, and when you can't get a parking space in the college after 11, you probably shouldn't be encouraging anyone else to drive.

but the way i see it, people who have to drive-will drive...at least this way they will learn properly..
also, many people only choose electives "because it fits into my timetable" ...these electives(which most students have NO passion/interest for) are therefore a waste of taxpayers money...at least a module like this would be of benefit to the safety on irish roads?? makes sense...

and as said by someone else-it's not the rich kids who'll be affected... and i'm not saying people should drive to college..but it DOES help! i cycle..quicker than the 2buses i'd have to get otherwise..but still takes over an hour!!

and as for "no point teaching young kids" or something...why not??? teach them while they're young!!!! more relevant to them than erosion of rocks???

emmanuels-baby

Shazbot wrote: »

I hear they have a small book called "rules of the road" , there is also a cd-rom with similar information and sample tests. That should be more than enough to educate people on the rules of the road, worked for me anyway.

A module on a the rules of the road would be a massive waste of time and effort.

Bah, beat me to it gubbie.

not JUST rules of the road obviously...that'd be a minor part(i think it SHOULD be part of CSPE though)
what i meant was ACTUAL driving(with theory thrown in)..people pay 35euro a pop for a lesson...so it'd be great to have that as a module for us poor students!??

Shazbot

Regardless, it's a rediculous idea. Driving is a personal privalege and should be practiced in your own time. Thats why we have motoring schools run privately all around the country. No point wasting higher level education resources on a skill that a a minor amount of students would avail of.

If someone wants to learn how to drive they can take lessons in there own time. It's worked well that way for decades.

Breezer

No.

My alternative idea: basic driving skills should be taught in specialised centres (as in not on a public road) open to any individual over 16. If schools want to include this as part of their transition year programme or whatever, they can. Theory would be included, taught in the same session as a practical lesson. At the end, you would sit your theory test. On completion of the course, you would be issued with a certificate of completion for the practical element, which you would submit along with your theory test cert. when applying for a learner permit.

Then throw in regulation of driving instructors, who would have to sign a declaration saying a person has completed X amount of lessons before they can sit a driving test.

The result? No one sits behind the wheel of a car on a public road having never driven a car before, no class time is wasted, everyone takes driving lessons leading to less failures at test centres, less clogging up of the system and a need for outsourcing, increased road safety and UCD degrees are not made a laughing stock of.

Dave!

No... If it should be in the education system at all, it should be in secondary schools.

emmanuels-baby

Shazbot wrote: »

Regardless, it's a rediculous idea. Driving is a personal privalege and should be practiced in your own time. Thats why we have motoring schools run privately all around the country. No point wasting higher level education resources on a skill that a a minor amount of students would avail of.

If someone wants to learn how to drive they can take lessons in there own time. It's worked well that way for decades.

jeez louise...take it easy..i never said it was a GREAT idea, i think it's a GOOD idea..makes sense...certainly not "rEdiculous idea"...they CAN take lessons in their own time..but just the same-couldn't they learn "theory of massage" in their own time??? couldn't they learn german or french or FILM STUDIES??? in their own time..
private schools teach that also!!?
i would find it convenient to NOT have to pay 35euro a lesson, and also to use my elective option on something that i can really use practically!!! what other available elective module would contribute as greatly/practically as this??

and as for it only catering for a minority...many electives cater for only 25 or so students...25 out of 10000...that's quite minor??? how would this be any different??

vote4pedro

To be fair, it is a completely ridiculous idea.

Thomas_S_Hunterson

vote4pedro wrote: »

To be fair, it is a completely ridiculous idea.

+1

Universities are places of academic endeavor.

gubbie

emmanuels-baby wrote: »

but the way i see it, people who have to drive-will drive...at least this way they will learn properly..

I repeat-you'll never learn something "properly" if you don't go to classes. And believe me you won't. Its too tedious and simple to be of any interest.

also, many people only choose electives "because it fits into my timetable" ...these electives(which most students have NO passion/interest for) are therefore a waste of taxpayers money...at least a module like this would be of benefit to the safety on irish roads?? makes sense...

Thats an argument against moduralisation which I completely agree with. But the rules of the road? Sorry WAY too easy. Its the equivalent of Irish people doing "Irish for non nationals"

and as for "no point teaching young kids" or something...why not??? teach them while they're young!!!! more relevant to them than erosion of rocks???

I don't think young kids have the tolerance to sit through that class. Its seriously boring. You do realise its not going to be like that episode of Saved By the Bell where they get to drive the small little car right?

mloc

Universities were places of academic endeavor, tbh.

emmanuels-baby

gubbie wrote: »

I repeat-you'll never learn something "properly" if you don't go to classes. And believe me you won't. Its too tedious and simple to be of any interest.



Thats an argument against moduralisation which I completely agree with. But the rules of the road? Sorry WAY too easy. Its the equivalent of Irish people doing "Irish for non nationals"



I don't think young kids have the tolerance to sit through that class. Its seriously boring. You do realise its not going to be like that episode of Saved By the Bell where they get to drive the small little car right?

hey, i remember my JC, you say that kids wouldn't tolerate the boredom of rules of the road?? do you REMEMBER CSPE?? boredom-city!!!! rules of the road would be FAR more interesting and relevant than the stuff i had to learn for CSPE!..and it wouldn't be a WHOLE course..it'd be a section of CSPE..what's the harm like? i'd gamble that if you put it to most school-goers.."hey kids-wanna learn rules of the road as part of CSPE?" they'd go for it...just saying..i like the saved by the bell reference though...and if the kids learn these rules then "by the time i pack my books and i give myself a look, i''m at the corner just in time to see the BUS-FLY-BY...it's allllright coz i can DRIVE TO SCHOOL"

and you may say that learning to drive with an instructor is boring...but people would show up for classes because they are saving 35euro a pop??? why wouldn't you want to take advantage of FREE DRIVING LESSONS?? and i acknowledge what you're saying about moduralisation but that's the situation as it stands..so why not make the best of it? and learn to drive for free????

emmanuels-baby

gubbie wrote: »

I repeat-you'll never learn something "properly" if you don't go to classes. And believe me you won't. Its too tedious and simple to be of any interest.

you might find this module tedious and simple....but just as i would find film studies tedious, pointless and simple...solution:don't pick it... same as any elective you don't wanna do..
personally i would find it challenging and beneficial to learn..and so would those who pick it(or they wouldn't pick it) and you can't claim that nobody would show up anymore than i can claim they would...

Shazbot

emmanuels-baby wrote: »

jeez louise...take it easy..i never said it was a GREAT idea, i think it's a GOOD idea..makes sense...certainly not "rEdiculous idea"...they CAN take lessons in their own time..but just the same-couldn't they learn "theory of massage" in their own time??? couldn't they learn german or french or FILM STUDIES??? in their own time..
private schools teach that also!!?
i would find it convenient to NOT have to pay 35euro a lesson, and also to use my elective option on something that i can really use practically!!! what other available elective module would contribute as greatly/practically as this??

and as for it only catering for a minority...many electives cater for only 25 or so students...25 out of 10000...that's quite minor??? how would this be any different??

It is a absolutely rediculous idea. If this were to start, then why not a swimming and lifeguard training module, proper cycling safety and riding module, horse riding module, helicopter module.... I could go on but i think you get the point.

Universities are for academic purposes, not to help you get your driving license. That's why we have driving schools. Why should you get lessons for free in this "module" while the rest of us forked out large sums of money for lessons and pre-tests?

I get the feeling your a 2nd provisional driver who got effected by the new law and are just looking for some ludicrous solution to your new found problem. Instead, why not tackle the problem head on. Sit your test like the 1,000's before you.

vote4pedro

Yeah I'd like to learn how to swim better. Should be a good 10 credits that when the new pool is finally built :rolleyes:

gubbie

emmanuels-baby wrote: »

hey, i remember my JC, you say that kids wouldn't tolerate the boredom of rules of the road?? do you REMEMBER CSPE?? boredom-city!!!! rules of the road would be FAR more interesting and relevant than the stuff i had to learn for CSPE!..and it wouldn't be a WHOLE course..it'd be a section of CSPE..what's the harm like? i'd gamble that if you put it to most school-goers.."hey kids-wanna learn rules of the road as part of CSPE?" they'd go for it...just saying..i like the saved by the bell reference though...and if the kids learn these rules then "by the time i pack my books and i give myself a look, i''m at the corner just in time to see the BUS-FLY-BY...it's allllright coz i can DRIVE TO SCHOOL"

and you may say that learning to drive with an instructor is boring...but people would show up for classes because they are saving 35euro a pop??? why wouldn't you want to take advantage of FREE DRIVING LESSONS?? and i acknowledge what you're saying about moduralisation but that's the situation as it stands..so why not make the best of it? and learn to drive for free????

emmanuels-baby wrote: »

you might find this module tedious and simple....but just as i would find film studies tedious, pointless and simple...solution:don't pick it... same as any elective you don't wanna do..
personally i would find it challenging and beneficial to learn..and so would those who pick it(or they wouldn't pick it) and you can't claim that nobody would show up anymore than i can claim they would...

Ye both have just speculated. People "might" come, they "probably would". Put up your hand if you've had to sit through numerous amounts of these classes
*puts up hand*
Now raise your hand if you've seen the effect that this has on others
*puts up hand*
The girls in my school were really really up for it initially and believe me it was actually more boring then learning how to use microsoft word/excel and learn to touch type (which has actually come in such handyness! Maybe we could have a module teaching people how to type!)

And I just think that the whole "Stick them in cars and let them learn that way"... ya right! Many courses are underfunded so what are they gonna leave out of this one? The petrol? The seatbelts? Not only that but it would involve one-on-one teaching and try fitting that into your timetable when it will take around 12 hours a week just to teach a small class with a 30 min spin in a car.

Surely you can see how impractical half the course will be, and how boring the other half will be?

And how is learning that a red circle with 120 written in it challenging?!?

emmanuels-baby

Shazbot wrote: »

It is a absolutely rediculous idea. If this were to start, then why not a swimming and lifeguard training module, proper cycling safety and riding module, horse riding module, helicopter module.... I could go on but i think you get the point.

Universities are for academic purposes, not to help you get your driving license. That's why we have driving schools. Why should you get lessons for free in this "module" while the rest of us forked out large sums of money for lessons and pre-tests?

I get the feeling your a 2nd provisional driver who got effected by the new law and are just looking for some ludicrous solution to your new found problem. Instead, why not tackle the problem head on. Sit your test like the 1,000's before you.

please stop spelling ridiculous with an E...the irony is killing me!
the lifeguard idea's not bad at all!!:D
and your comment about "Why should you get lessons for free in this "module" while the rest of us forked out large sums of money for lessons and pre-tests?" sounds pretty mean and childish..there are some REALLY pointless electives available-all i'm saying is..at LEAST this one will have some impact on my life...whereas other ones are sometimes just picked out of convenience and don't stand to me at all?? i don't understand why you seem to be getting so offended about the idea...you wouldn't be MADE do it??? if it helps people, and they enjoy and appreciate the opportunity to learn to drive, then what's the problemo? and i realize that university is a place of academia BUT the fact is-a lot of electives are utterly useless to the degree of that person so the fact that learning, i dunno, film studies MAY indeed be MORE academic than learning to drive is totally irrelevant???

emmanuels-baby

gubbie wrote: »

And how is learning that a red circle with 120 written in it challenging?!?

colour blindness???:(


and kudos on the ECDL option suggestion!! also a winner

so lifeguard training, driving and ECDL... we're on a roll lads!!! keep the ideas flowing!

kittycat275

emmanuels-baby wrote: »

what i meant was ACTUAL driving(with theory thrown in)..people pay 35euro a pop for a lesson...so it'd be great to have that as a module for us poor students!??

I think it's a great idea.

Shazbot

emmanuels-baby wrote: »

please stop spelling ridiculous with an E...the irony is killing me!

Hehe, yea pretty ironic, but i stick by it. You can't really comment on my spelling when your punctuation and sentance/paragraph structure is dreadful.

and your comment about "Why should you get lessons for free in this "module" while the rest of us forked out large sums of money for lessons and pre-tests?" sounds pretty mean and childish

How is it mean or childish? You would be getting something for free as apposed to other students who took lessons for €35 a pop.

..there are some REALLY pointless electives available-all i'm saying is..at LEAST this one will have some impact on my life...whereas other ones are sometimes just picked out of convenience and don't stand to me at all??

True, doesn't mean we need another one. All modules fall under a certain school. So any elective outside of your nomal school would seem pointless and irrelevant to you. I'd find all arts, buisness and engineering modules irrelevant to my degree.

i don't understand why you seem to be getting so offended about the idea...you wouldn't be MADE do it??? if it helps people, and they enjoy and appreciate the opportunity to learn to drive, then what's the problemo? and i realize that university is a place of academia BUT the fact is-a lot of electives are utterly useless to the degree of that person so the fact that learning, i dunno, film studies MAY indeed be MORE academic than learning to drive is totally irrelevant???

I'm not offended, I'm just expressing my opinion. Not once did i get angry. I'm just saying it's a ridiculous idea that you're trying to make becuase you feel hard done in by the new law.

the evil lime

emmanuels-baby wrote: »

please stop spelling ridiculous with an E...the irony is killing me!
the lifeguard idea's not bad at all!!:D
and your comment about "Why should you get lessons for free in this "module" while the rest of us forked out large sums of money for lessons and pre-tests?" sounds pretty mean and childish..there are some REALLY pointless electives available-all i'm saying is..at LEAST this one will have some impact on my life...whereas other ones are sometimes just picked out of convenience and don't stand to me at all?? i don't understand why you seem to be getting so offended about the idea...you wouldn't be MADE do it??? if it helps people, and they enjoy and appreciate the opportunity to learn to drive, then what's the problemo? and i realize that university is a place of academia BUT the fact is-a lot of electives are utterly useless to the degree of that person so the fact that learning, i dunno, film studies MAY indeed be MORE academic than learning to drive is totally irrelevant???

Only once there did you use the question mark correctly. The capitals are also doing my head in; not to mention the seemingly random blanket bombing of the whole thing with dashes and ellipses. I know the tone you're aiming to convey, but I've never gotten that either.

All that aside, the reason we shouldn't have this module is simple: we're students at an academic institution and driving is a practical skill. The theory component is a collection of rules which can be learned by rote rather than something which has to be analysed and understood. The concept fits well at second level, probably in TY or CSPE as has been pointed out. It has no place in a university education.

Also, all the "really pointless electives" aren't pointless to everyone; they just have no place in your degree. Otherwise they wouldn't exist. I can even think of a use for that level 0 study skills module.

emmanuels-baby

the evil lime wrote: »

Also, all the "really pointless electives" aren't pointless to everyone; they just have no place in your degree. Otherwise they wouldn't exist. I can even think of a use for that level 0 study skills module.

but as you say, they have no place in my degree(<<see what i did there-no caps):rolleyes:
so therefore, what difference does it make if it's academic or not? why shouldn't it be something useful? since it's not actually contributing to my purpose in going to college? aka let's make the best out of a bad situation and learn to drive

and shazbot...."How is it mean or childish? You would be getting something for free as apposed to other students who took lessons for €35 a pop." i think it's mean because you said something like "why should you get it for free when I have to pay?" which just seems mean and petty to me! (no offense) so one point of your argument is basically your resentment that others may get something for free when you have to pay? that's why i found it mean. anyway, people also pay for german lessons and loads of things we have as elective options, so this wouldn't be different? also, i look at it as an extra step the government could take to ensure safety on the roads, you can't deny that this would contribute to that aim?? people who can afford driving lessons-grand-take them! but what about folk who can't? what will they do? what about people down the country who have to drive? what will they all do? not drive? as if! they'd probably drive anyway!

sorry to attack your grammar.. but it was the second time you did that..and if you wanna insult me by straight out calling my idea "ridiculous" then i'd appreciate it if you'd spell it properly.;)

and i'm heading for a drive today!!:D:D:D:D

Thomas_S_Hunterson

emmanuels-baby wrote: »

so therefore, what difference does it make if it's academic or not?

UCD is a university.

Shazbot

emmanuels-baby wrote: »

and shazbot...."How is it mean or childish? You would be getting something for free as apposed to other students who took lessons for €35 a pop." i think it's mean because you said something like "why should you get it for free when I have to pay?" which just seems mean and petty to me! (no offense) so one point of your argument is basically your resentment that others may get something for free when you have to pay? that's why i found it mean.

At least quote me correctly. I never said I, I said the rest of us, implying all other students who have spent considerable amounts of money to learn how to drive. Do you think it's fair that some people have to pay €100's whereas you could get it free?

anyway, people also pay for german lessons and loads of things we have as elective options, so this wouldn't be different?

because those modules are already in place to cater for certain degrees. As previously stated, this wouldn't fit into any degree curriculum.

also, i look at it as an extra step the government could take to ensure safety on the roads, you can't deny that this would contribute to that aim??

This is already catered for by passing your theory test and getting driving lessons. If you can do that then you have alot of the information already. A course wouldn't improve on this on safety on the roads. Of course there are always going to be bad drivers, don't bother pointing it out.

people who can afford driving lessons-grand-take them! but what about folk who can't? what will they do? what about people down the country who have to drive? what will they all do? not drive? as if! they'd probably drive anyway!

Driving isn't essential to live. We have a decent public transport system, buses , trains, darts, luas and taxis. This can be used by most to travel. So people who can't afford lessons can purchase a bike and cycle or use one of the above systems. People in the country don't need to drive, the want to drive and use the lack of transport as an excuse to justify it.

emmanuels-baby

Shazbot wrote: »

At least quote me correctly. I never said I, I said the rest of us, implying all other students who have spent considerable amounts of money to learn how to drive. Do you think it's fair that some people have to pay €100's whereas you could get it free?

"us" "me"...same difference..your gripe is that you may have to pay while some don't.meanie!

Shazbot wrote: »

because those modules are already in place to cater for certain degrees. As previously stated, this wouldn't fit into any degree curriculum.

but that's the point of electives?? none of the electives fit into your degree(really) so what difference does it make?

Shazbot wrote: »

Driving isn't essential to live. We have a decent public transport system, buses , trains, darts, luas and taxis. This can be used by most to travel. So people who can't afford lessons can purchase a bike and cycle or use one of the above systems. People in the country don't need to drive, the want to drive and use the lack of transport as an excuse to justify it.

now you're just taking the piss aren't you? clearly you don't live in the country! they don't have luas or buses! not to mention transport in the night (not where my good auld gran lives anyway) now, unless they fancy bailing onto a bike and cycling >30mins to the nearest shop which is fine for some, but still a mega-inconvenience! and you don't have to tell me about cycling, i cycle all over the place-but when it's raining, it's a pain in the arse! and sometimes i'm just too tired etc