April 2019

Version 1.9

 

 

 

ThinBlueOnline

27042 Towne Centre Dr.
Suite 270
Foothill Ranch, CA 92610
949-305-9808

 

Document Revisions

 

Date	Version Number	Document Changes
04/26/2019	1.9	Initial Draft

 

 

Introduction

Welcome to the ThinBLUEOnLine.com (TBOL), Verbal Options Simulator (VOS) experience. TBOL is a continuous learning product. The Verbal Options Simulator (VOS) utilizes patented technologies that allow officers to explore scenarios, learn from observing a role model, and practice using their voice effectively.  It is specifically structured to be compatible with the way the brain learns from encountering new situations.  Practicing these simulations teaches the brain to classify these new skills as important for long-term retention and embeds skills that facilitate proper reflexive actions in the field, thus freeing the brain to focus on the continuously developing tactical situation.

This guide will assist you in getting started with the VOS, from logging into the Learning Management System (LMS) and taking a module from beginning to end, to tracking individual Officers’ and Recruits’ progress and evaluating their performance.

Accessing the TBOL and Learning Management System (LMS)

Begin by opening your Internet Browser window/tab *(Display Format may vary depending on the Internet Browser or Device selected for utilizing TBOL) and typing in the following https://courses.thinblueonline.com in the Address Bar and hit <Enter>. This will take you to the TBOL/LMS Login Screen, the starting point for using the TBOL system. (Refer to Image 1.1 below).

 

1.1

 

 

Next, enter your assigned User Name and Password, at the top of the page, and <click> the Login button or hit <Enter>. (Refer to Image 1.1 on Pg. 3).

 

Navigating TBOL and Taking Courses

One you have logged in, you will be directed to the All Courses Tab (Default), where you can view every course/module available to you in TBOL. You can also filter these courses by placing your mouse pointer over a popular topic (Tag) in the sidebar menu and <click> on the Tag. To clear this filter and return to All Courses, simply place your mouse pointer over Clear Filters at the bottom of the sidebar menu and <click>. You can also Share and Launch courses from this page by placing your mouse pointer over the Share or Launch button and <click>.  (Refer to Image 1.2 below).

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Launching a Course

When you are ready to begin a new course, simply navigate to the My Learning or All Courses Tab and <click> on the Launch button next to your desired course. (Refer to Image 1.3 below).

 

1.3

 

 

INFO Window/Entering the Course

After you have launched the TBOL course you wish to begin or continue, the INFO Window will appear. The INFO Window provides the Officer with a brief summary of the scenario to be presented in the selected course/module, and updated statistics on a) How many attempts are allowed for this course/module, b) How many attempts the Officer has currently made, c) the Officer’s grade for the most recent attempt, d) the Officer’s grading method, and e) the last grade reported. From there the Officer can choose to <click> on Enter and begin the module or use the Back button in the lower, left corner of the page to return to the My Learning Tab. (Refer to Image 1.4 below).

 

1.4

 

 

Navigating Within a Course (VOS – Verbal Options Simulator)

 

The following guide provides a quick look at the buttons and features you will need to be familiar with when proceeding through the Challenges in each TBOL Course/Module. (Refer to Image 1.5 below and Image 1.6 on Pg. 8).

 

 

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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. (See Image 1.61 below).

 

1.61

 

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. (Refer to Image 1.6 on Pg. 8).

 

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. (Refer to Image 1.6 on Pg. 8).

 

Practicing Your Response to Challenges Using the Record/Playback Feature in TBOL

 

Once an Officer has reviewed a Challenge and viewed the Insights, Key Elements, and Script, they are ready to practice their response using the Record button. When practicing the Record feature gives the learner an opportunity to record and review their own responses to improve their technique.  If using while in the Evaluation section, 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’s Peer, FTO, or Training Supervisor, in the side-by-side setting, assesses 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 by the Officer’s Peer, FTO, or Training Supervisor, 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.

 

Evaluation

Record Your Response

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. After reviewing the Scoring Summary and upon completion of each TBOL Course/Module, the Officer returns to the My Courses Tab (Refer to Image 1.7 below).

 

1.7

*For Additional Information please refer to the complete TBOL User Guide: Getting Started with ThinBLUEOnLine, available through the link provided on the TBOL Help Tab.