TBOL Frequently Asked Questions & Answers (FAQ) Guide
April 2019
Version 1.9
ThinBlueOnline
27042 Towne Centre Dr.
Suite 270
Foothill Ranch, CA 92610
949-305-9808
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06/06/2019 |
1.91 |
Back to Top feature added for ease of use. |
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Table of Contents
1.2. How do I start using TBOL?
1.3. Where do I get it (from)?
1.4. Do I have to be good with technology to use TBOL?
1.5. Where can I get some tutorials or presentations about TBOL?
1.6. Are there any provisions in TBOL for Users with disabilities?
1.7. Are there any comparisons of TBOL with other Law Enforcement Simulators?
1.8. How do I rollout TBOL to the Officers of my department?
1.9. How do I manage the TBOL rollout process?
1.10. Can I leverage an existing process to rollout TBOL?
1.11. How do I get Officers to take the courses?
1.12. Can using TBOL be incentivized?
1.13. How many should Courses/Modules should the Officers complete in a given length of time?
1.14. Will I be tested?
1.15. What do results lead to?
1.16. Will evaluated TBOL results become a part of my training file?
2.2. How do I get around TBOL?
2.3. Who can create and edit activities and other things in TBOL courses?
3.1. Are there any good examples of TBOL use I can see?
3.2. How do I share ideas and learn from other agencies using TBOL?
3.3. Are there any good sources for shared TBOL courses?
4. Learning with TBOL - pedagogy
4.1. What is the best way to use TBOL?
4.2. Can TBOL be used in different subjects (say Corrections, Security, or Military)?
4.3. How can I use TBOL to stimulate Officer to think harder and ask good questions?
4.4. How can I communicate with Officer by using TBOL?
4.5. How can we share resources with TBOL?
4.6. How can TBOL help Officers/Law Enforcement Agencies collaborate?
4.7. How do I grade in TBOL?
4.8. Can Officers do self and peer assessment type tasks with TBOL?
4.9. Should there be a baseline test on a given module before practicing so that the officers can see how difficult it may be to pass the evaluation?
5. Officers/Law Enforcement Professionals
5.1. How long does it take Officers to learn to use TBOL?
5.2. What do my Officers need to know before using TBOL?
5.3. Do Officers have to be online all the time to use TBOL?
6. Getting help
6.1. Is there an official support desk for TBOL?
6.2. What do I do if I am stuck? Are there any good tutorials around on TBOL?
6.3. What if I have a specific question about a tool in TBOL, where can I find out more?
6.4. How can I suggest improvements and put forward what I would like to see in TBOL?
6.5. Where can I get training on how to use TBOL?
7.1. What is a Course?
8. Security
8.1. How secure is TBOL?
8.2. Can TBOL get hacked into and Officer/Agency data stolen?
8.3. What if I did something wrong and accidentally broke TBOL - could it be easily fixed?
8.4. Is my User data safe on TBOL?
8.5. Can I track and search what Users do in TBOL?
8.6. Can I backup TBOL so I don't lose things?
9. Technical
9.1. Do I need my own server to run TBOL?
9.2. Do I have to install TBOL?
9.3. Can I customize a theme and make it about our department?
9.4. Does it matter what computer type or browser I use for TBOL?
9.5. Can you use TBOL from anywhere?
9.6. Can access to TBOL be restricted to just our Division or Precinct/Station?
9.7. Can I access TBOL from a mobile device?
9.8. I've come from a department that used a different Law Enforcement Training Simulator. Can I move my stuff over to TBOL?
9.9. I spotted a bug in the system. What do I do?
9.10. I have an idea for a feature and/or improvement in Moodle. What do I do?
10. Cost
10.1. How much does it cost to access and use TBOL?
10.2. How much does it cost to run TBOL?
10.3. How
much does it cost to have TBOL hosted?
1 Starting with TBOL
1.1 What is TBOL?
ThinBlueOnLine.com (TBOL) is a continuous learning product on a structured practice platform that builds verbal proficiency skills across an entire department. TBOL offers a patented learning approach that lets officers learn faster and retain longer through engaging self-study practice sessions. TBOL takes the effectiveness of simulator-based training and makes it practical and affordable for building skills in the wide variety of everyday police work.
1.2 How do I start using TBOL?
To get started using TBOL you will need to review Sample courses at ThinBLUEOnLine.com. Once you have reviewed Sample courses and decided you would like to purchase a license or multiple user licenses for your agency, you will need to <click> on this link, https://courses.thinblueonline.com, which will take you to TBOL, where you can click on the Subscribe tab from the Menu Bar.
1.3 Where do I get it (from)?
Once you have <clicked> on the Sign Up Now button, you will be directed to the Subscription page for TBOL, where you can sign up for as many User licenses as you require. You may renew your Subscription for User licenses monthly or annually. *If you are not paying by credit card, you will need to contact TBOL to purchases User licenses through the Contact fields on the website, or by calling the phone number available there. Using this method, you may facilitate payment by check or purchase order.
1.4 Do I have to be good with technology to use TBOL?
No. New Users of TBOL may following along with the TBOL Quick Start Guide, User Guide, and FAQs under the Help Tab in the system, to get started.
1.5 Where can I get some tutorials or presentations about TBOL?
The TBOL Quick Start Guide, TBOL User Guide, TBOL Client Administrator and Train the Trainer Guide, and FAQs are all available through the Help Tab on the Menu bar of the system.
1.6 Are there any provisions in TBOL for personnel with alternate languages?
TBOL currently supports English, though in the future, TBOL will support multiple languages to include Spanish, French, etc.
1.7 Are there any comparisons of TBOL with other Law Enforcement Simulators?
Yes, the TBOL Verbal Options Simulator (VOS) is often compared to other Law Enforcement Simulators for conceptual purposes. However, VOS is the only simulator that focuses exclusively on Verbal Options Simulations, Verbal Skills, Verbal De-Escalation Skills, Verbal Communication, and utilizes proven, Pro Practice methodologies, along with visual and written Evaluation components.
1.8 How do I rollout TBOL to the Officers of my department?
The approach or method you use to rollout TBOL to the Officers of your agency is largely dependent on the size of your department and available resources. In a small department the Client Administrator and Training Supervisor might conduct a Train the Trainer session, including one technology savvy Officer from each shift, who can then return to their shift and train the remaining Officers. FTOs or certified LE Instructors might also be utilized to train personnel.
In a medium to large size agency, it would be best to have the Client Administrator and Training Supervisor conduct a class, using the TBOL Client Administrator and Train the Trainer Guide, for the agencies certified LE Instructors and FTOs. Once Train the Trainer session is completed, TBOL Courses can be scheduled for Officers at your department as needed, across shifts and specialized units.
1.9 How do I manage the TBOL rollout process?
Managing the TBOL rollout process can be informal for a small agency with a handful of sworn personnel and progress could be tracked on a simple MS Excel spreadsheet.
Where medium and large size departments are concerned, the Client Administrator and Training Supervisor should track and share progress utilizing a Project Management tool to ensure that the TBOL rollout process does not stall and that all sworn personnel are trained at the department in a timely and efficient manner.
1.10 Can I leverage an existing process to rollout TBOL?
Yes, if your agency has implemented Law Enforcement Software and trained Users previously, the process utilized to rollout those products, could be modified and adopted to conduct the TBOL rollout, as necessary. Back to Top
1.11 How do I get Officers to take the courses?
The best way to encourage use of TBOL is to require Officer to complete Course/Modules on a regular basis. Basically, through a mandate from the department’s Administrative Staff (Chief, Deputy Chief of Operations/Patrol, etc.).
1.12 Can using TBOL be incentivized?
Yes. Officers are competitive by nature. You could have shifts compete with each other, tracking each shift’s progress through modules utilizing their Evaluation Scores, Number of Courses/Modules completed collectively, etc. Officers love free stuff. So, rewards could range from items that benefit an Officer in their daily job, such as handcuff keys, organizers for paperwork, tactical bags, departmental challenge coins, or maybe even swapping responsibility for handling calls for service during shift overlaps.
1.13 How many should Courses/Modules should the Officers complete in a given length of time?
TBOL develops and releases one-hundred or more new modules each year. Officer should complete an average of two modules each week. New Recruits/Trainees should complete as many TBOL Courses/Modules as possible during their Probationary period with the department, to include time spent in each phase of the FTO Program. New Recruits/Trainees should be immersed in TBOL during their first year of service.
1.14 Will I be tested?
Yes, Officers are evaluated by Peers, Field Training Officers (FTO), Training Personnel, and Supervisors, in a side-by-side environment, on Courses/Modules completed using TBOLs Evaluation and Recording tools.
1.15 What do results lead to?
Results appear in a scoring summary at the end of each Course/Module, are distributed in an auto-generated report, by e-mail, do department-defined personnel, and can be documented on corrective action or counseling statements, or on Daily Observation Reports (DORs).
1.16 Will evaluated TBOL results become a part of my training file?
Each agency will determine if TBOL Scoring Summaries and Reports will become a part of the Officers’ permanent training and/or personnel files.
2 Navigation and Settings
2.1 How do I login to TBOL?
Logging-In to TBOL is easy. Simply navigate to the TBOL system website, enter your User Name and Password, then <click> the Log In button. You will be directed to the All Courses tab in TBOL, where you can browse, enroll in, and launch courses. *If you have not subscribed to TBOL yet, <click> the following link, https://courses.thinblueonline.com, and you will be directed to TBOL, where you can <click> on the Subscribe tab from the Menu Bar. Then, simply follow the prompts to subscribe to TBOL.
2.2 How do I get around TBOL?
Navigating in TBOL is easy. Just utilize the glowing buttons to move from the Briefing, then Challenge to Challenge, through De-Briefing, and finally ending in Evaluation and Scoring. *For more information regarding Navigation in TBOL, refer to the TBOL Quick Start Guide or TBOL User Guide under the Help tab located on the Menu bar of the TBOL system.
It is important when navigating TBOL that the User remember there are multiple ways to navigate a Course, and the Challenges within each Course.
If you are using the lowest left and right single arrows, the User is following a recommended learning flow. You will notice next to each button the text is informing the learner of what the course will display when clicking that arrow. You will notice that with each click the feature above is highlighted. If the User continues to click through the learning flow each element will be shown.
The User can also navigate through the challenges on a custom path if they prefer to see the information in a different flow by <clicking> on each button independently (Insights, Key Elements, Full Script). They can also <click> independently to view the Challenge or the Response.
Each navigational option allows the User to either choose to follow a recommended learning flow or path or customize their learning to their strengths or preference.
To go to the next challenge the User can also <click> on the double arrows to proceed to the first page of the next challenge or the first page of the previous challenge.
2.3. Who can create and edit activities and other things in TBOL courses?
Courses in the TBOL system are developed and updated by active and retired Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) on TBOL’s LEAD Team, and Content Development Team, with the support of TBOL Animators, TBOL Information Technology, and the TBOL Operations departments. *To request creation of a specific TBOL Course or scenario, contact your TBOL Account Manager. Back to Top
3 Examples
3.1 Are there any good examples of TBOL use I can see?
Yes. TBOL Sample Courses are available for viewing on the TBOL website. *Contact your TBOL Account Manager to request to speak with contacts at Law Enforcement Agencies currently utilizing the TBOL VOS.
3.2 How do I share ideas and learn from other agencies using TBOL?
In the future, TBOL will be holding an Annual Users Conference, with User Group Meetings, Seminars, and TBOL training opportunities, where agencies utilizing the TBOL system can share, compare, and discuss their experiences with TBOL and VOS.
3.3 Are there any good sources for shared TBOL courses?
Yes. TBOL Courses can be shared within your agency, from User to User, by simply <clicking> on the E-Mail button for each course under the My Courses sub-menu on the My Learning tab in TBOL.
4 Learning with TBOL – pedagogy
4.1 What is the best way to use TBOL?
Ideally, TBOL Courses, through use of the VOS and Pro Practice methodologies are utilized to teach Law Enforcement Officers best practices in the deployment of Verbal Skills, Verbal De-Escalation, and Verbal Communication in a side-by-side experience with a peer, Field Training Officer (FTO), Training Supervisor, or Shift Supervisor. Which partner is utilized in VOS sessions largely depends on the reason the User is challenging scenarios in VOS. For example, New LEO Recruits/Trainees should be using VOS with the supervision of their FTO, while Veteran Officer would work in the
VOS with a Peer or Partner, and Officer utilizing VOS for re-medial training would work with a Training Supervisor or Shift Supervisor.
An important best practice when using TBOL is for Officers to actively utilize the Record/Playback feature to practice their response, once an Officer has reviewed a Challenge and viewed the Insights, Key Elements, and Script. This feature is not tied directly to scoring, but should be used by the Officer, side-by-side with a Peer, FTO, or Training Supervisor. The idea is that the Officer will record themselves responding to a Challenge, and then play back their response for a Peer, FTO, or Training Supervisor.
Then, the Officer and their partner can assess not only the Officer’s verbal response, but also non-verbal cues that the Officer is employing. Keep in mind that what the Officer says, and how they look saying it, should be like the behaviors Role Modeled by the Avatar Officer in each Challenge, and meet the Key Elements of each Challenge that the Officer will be evaluated on later in the Course/Module. Beyond the Evaluation, practicing using the Record/Playback feature in TBOL is important because the best way to succeed at anything is to fail at it first and learn from your mistakes. This method of learning has been employed for thousands of years. Sadly, in today’s world we are taught to avoid failure at all costs.
It is critically important to create scenarios where Officers can comfortably fail. Officers can fail safely, without impacting the department or lives, where they can learn from their experience. Practicing in TBOL using the Record/Playback feature allows Officers to fail to succeed, so they don’t fail to succeed.
Human nature embraces failure followed by success. The video game industry is built on repetitive failure building skills that lead to eventual mastery of abstract challenges. Video games take months or years, and millions of dollars, to develop with much of that time being spent to create a narrative to make the gameplay relevant or meaningful.
But opportunities exist in the real world that can be just as challenging, and just as satisfying when they are mastered. Imagine if you could transform the challenges experienced by Officers in your department into training modules where they can build relevant skills by being able to do the right thing every time, with the comfort and safety of playing a simple video game. It would take training to a whole new level. It would be transformative for your agency. TBOL makes it available today, based on technology invented at ProPractice.com.
Through our patented authoring engine – LCMX – LEO Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) enter raw scenario content. These can be angry citizens making complaints, Officers having to deal with problem offenders, or Officers asking tough questions of the public… Anything.
Then, in a matter of minutes, the LCMX does all the work to generate that content into a meaningful learning experience that creates emotional engagement, with no
programming, no animation, and no instructional design skills necessary. From LEO SME directly to finished module, in minutes. Literally.
4.2 Can TBOL be used in different subjects (say Corrections, Security, or Military)?
Yes. *Contact your TBOL Account Manager to request or view Sample Courses in the areas of Corrections, Security, and the Military.
4.3 How can I use TBOL to stimulate Officer to think harder and ask good questions?
Each TBOL Course in VOS is designed to teach best practices in the deployment of Verbal Skills, Verbal De-Escalation, and Verbal Communication utilizing avatar Role Modeled behavior, real-life scenarios, valuable Key Elements, Insights, and Pro Practice methodologies to stimulate the Officer to think harder and ask good questions relative to how they communicate and handle encounters in the field.
4.4 How can I communicate with Officer by using TBOL?
TBOL supports the sharing of courses from Officer to Officer using the E-Mail button feature under the My Learning tab, My Courses sub-menu, for each course.
4.5 How can we share resources with TBOL?
TBOL Account Managers and Content Development staff are always available to share resources and support with TBOL Customers via e-mail, text, and phone calls.
4.6 How can TBOL help Officers/Law Enforcement Agencies collaborate?
*See FAQ 3.2.
4.7 How do I grade in TBOL?
After completing the Challenge/s portion of each Course, in a side-by-side setting with the Officer’s Peer, FTO, or the Training Supervisor, the Officer will proceed through each Challenge recording their response. The Peer, FTO, or Training Supervisor will review each response and check off the elements that the Officer exhibited in their response. These checked elements are used to calculate the Officers score at the end of the course and are presented to the Officer and their Evaluator in the Scoring Summary. TBOL utilizes a Scoring Summary page and Course Progress and Scoring Reports to provide data to agencies using TBOL. Data is then transferred to Daily Observation Reports (DORs), Training Files, and Counseling statements as determined by each agency. *See TBOL User Guide and TBOL Client Administrator and Train the Trainer Guide for more information.
4.8 Can Officers do self and peer assessment type tasks with TBOL?
Yes. TBOL is designed to be used in a side-by-side experience alone or with a Peer where Veteran Officers are using the TBOL system. New LEO Recruits/Trainees should be supervised by an FTO when using the TBOL system.
4.9 Should there be a baseline test on a given module before practicing so that the officers can see how difficult it may be to pass the evaluation?
Yes. New Recruits and Trainees should be expected to complete each TBOL Course or Module with a minimum score of seventy percent. This threshold may be raised for Veteran Officers and FTOs, Supervisors, and Administrative personnel within the agency.
5 Officers/Law Enforcement Professionals
5.1 How long does it take Officers to learn to use TBOL?
Each Officer is unique in their capacity to understand and utilize the TBOL VOS. Some Officers will take longer than others to learn the system. However, with the guidance of an experienced TBOL User or the TBOL Quick Start Guide or TBOL User Guide, it is possible for a new User to be up and running in the VOS in only a matter of minutes.
5.2 What do my Officers need to know before using TBOL?
Ideally, Officer will be provided with an Orientation or Training session taught by an agency Instructor, FTO, Training Supervisor, or Experienced TBOL User on Shift, prior to each Officer’s use of the TBOL VOS. That said, Officer’s need to know that the TBOL VOS is a tool to learn and perfect their Verbal Skills, Verbal De-Escalation Skills, and Verbal Communications using scenarios that were created by real Law Enforcement Officers for Law Enforcement Officers. Users should also be aware that the Role Modeled behavior, best practices, Key Elements, and Insights provided in each course were also designed by, created by, and practiced by actual Law Enforcement Officers in the field.
5.3 Do Officers have to be online all the time to use TBOL?
Yes. TBOL is access through your agencies adopted Internet Browser and can be accessed on Desktops, Laptops, Tablets, Smart Phones, and other devices that are connected to the Internet and have browser capabilities. However, TBOL is not designed to function without a browser or Internet connectivity, as all content for TBOL is hosted on TBOL servers and delivered over the Internet.
6 Getting help
6.1 Is there an official support desk for TBOL?
In the future, TBOL will maintain a support desk for first, second, and third tier customer support options. However, at this time Users should refer to the TBOL Guides that are available twenty-fours hours per day, seven days per week, on-line at the TBOL site under the Help tab in the TBOL Menu bar. Customers may also seek assistance from their TBOL Account Manager during normal business hours.
6.2 What do I do if I am stuck? Are there any good tutorials around on TBOL?
Yes. *Refer to FAQ 1.5 for more information on this topic.
6.3 What if I have a specific question about a tool in TBOL, where can I find out more?
*Refer to FAQ 1.5 for more information on this topic.
6.4 How can I suggest improvements and put forward what I would like to see in TBOL?
Suggestions for improvements that you would like to see in TBOL should be E-Mailed or communicated directly from your agency’s TBOL Client Administrator to your agency’s TBOL Account Manager.
6.5 Where can I get training on how to use TBOL?
*Refer to FAQ 1.5 for more information on this topic.
7 Basic TBOL jargon
7.1 What is a Course?
A Course and a Module are interchangeable terms utilized in TBOL to refer to one, VOS scenario.
8 Security
8.1 How secure is TBOL?
Access to TBOL is only possible using the https (“s” for secured) Internet protocol. This means that all traffic between your computer and the TBOL server is encrypted and secure.
8.2 Can TBOL get hacked into and Officer/Agency data stolen?
We designed the TBOL hosting infrastructure based on best commercial practice. Other than user names, email addresses, and course access/scoring information, no other sensitive information is stored on our servers. We also limit access to our servers to only personnel deemed necessary.
8.3 What if I did something wrong and accidentally broke TBOL - could it be easily fixed?
A user does not have the ability to alter the content of the TBOL course, therefore it is not possible to “break TBOL”.
8.4 Is my User data safe on TBOL?
Your user data is safe on TBOL. We implement best commercial practice to backup and safeguard all user data.
8.5 Can I track and search what Users do in TBOL?
A standard TBOL user can only access his/her own information.
8.6 Can I backup TBOL so I don't lose things?
All TBOL course information and user data are backed up using best commercial practice. There is nothing for TBOL users to backup.
9 Technical
9.1 Do I need my own server to run TBOL?
No, you do not. TBOL courses are provided to your as a service. As such all you need is a computer with a internet browser and an Internet connection.
9.2 Do I have to install TBOL?
There’s nothing for you to install when running TBOL courses on a computer browser.
9.3 Can I customize a theme and make it about our department?
Please contact us at clientservices@thinblueonline.com to discuss your special requirements.
9.4 Does it matter what computer type or browser I use for TBOL?
TBOL courses are designed to be compatible with all major computer hardware, operating systems (Windows, Mac OS, iOS, and Android), and browser types (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari).
9.5 Can you use TBOL from anywhere?
The TBOL website and courses are designed to be accessible from anywhere on the Internet. As long as your Internet connection doesn’t specifically block connection to TBOL, you should be able to gain access to TBOL.
9.6 Can access to TBOL be restricted to just our Division or Precinct/Station?
Please contact us at clientservices@thinblueonline.com to discuss your special requirements.
9.7 Can I access TBOL from a mobile device?
Yes, you can! Our website and courses are designed to be mobile-device friendly.
9.8 I've come from a department that used a different Law Enforcement Training Simulator. Can I move my stuff over to TBOL?
Please contact us at clientservices@thinblueonline.com to discuss your special requirements.
9.9 I spotted a bug in the system. What do I do?
Please contact us at clientservices@thinblueonline.com. In your email please include as much information as possible (e.g., your user name, the TBOL course name, date/time the bug was observed, screenshots, etc.) in order to help us identify the problem.
9.10 I have an idea for a feature and/or improvement in TBOL. What do I do?
Please contact us at clientservices@thinblueonline.com.
10 Cost
10.1 How much does it cost to download and use TBOL?
Generally, TBOL is available for access at $19 per Officer on a monthly renewal or $199 per Officer with an annual subscription. Prices may vary, depending on the details of each agency’s contract and subscription term. Also, from time to time TBOL offers incentives for BETA partners. *Contact your TBOL Account Manager for more information regarding pricing.
10.2 How much does it cost to run TBOL?
TBOL is an Internet based product and hosting is included with your subscription, therefor TBOL is never installed or run local and does not require local server resources, on an Internet connection and device with an Internet browser.
10.3 How much does it cost to have TBOL hosted?
*Refer to FAQ 10.2 above.