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
04/29/2019	1.9	Initial Draft
06/06/2019	1.91	Back to Top feature added for ease of use.

 

 

 

Table of Contents

1)     Introduction to ThinBLUEOnLine.com

2)     Accessing TBOL

a)      Navigating to the Website

b)     Logging In

3)     Navigating TBOL and Taking Courses

a)      All Courses Tab (Default)

i)       My Course

(1)   Filtering Your Courses

(2)   Searching for Your Courses

ii)     Transaction History

iii)   Profile

iv)    Change Password

b)     Featured Tab

c)      My Learning Tab

d)     Help Tab

i)       Online Quick Start and User Guides

ii)     FAQS and Commonly Asked Questions

4)     Launching a Course

a)      INFO Window

b)     Entering the Course

c)      Manually Launching a Course (Recommended Browsers)

5)     Navigating Within a Course (VOS – Verbal Options Simulator)

a)      Proceeding to the Briefing

b)     Moving Through Each Challenge

i)       Challenge

ii)     Response

iii)   Viewing the Insights

iv)    Viewing Key Elements

v)      Viewing the Script

vi)    Recording and Practicing Your Response

c)      Debriefing (After Action Review)

d)     Evaluation

i)       Answer Written Questions

ii)     Scoring Summary

iii)   Review Your Module Progress

 

 

 

6)     Evaluator Role (FTO/Training Supervisor/Shift Supervisor)

a)      Reviewing Recorded Responses

i)       Evaluating Recorded Responses

b)     Reviewing the Written Test

i)       Answers

ii)     Scores

c)      Documenting VOS Evaluated Responses and Test Scores

i)       DOR (Daily Observation Report/s)

ii)     Training Files

 

 

 

1         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 TBOL and taking a module from beginning to end, to tracking individual Officers’ and Recruits’ progress and evaluating their performance.

2         Accessing TBOL

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 address 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).

 

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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. 5).

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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Featured Tab

Navigate to the Featured Tab, by placing your mouse pointer over the tab and <click>. On the Featured Tab you can view and launch newly released modules from TBOL that address current events and important trends in Law Enforcement or Corrections. (Refer to Image 1.3 below).

 

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My Learning Tab

By <clicking> on the My Learning Tab, where you can view your Courses, Transaction History, Profile, and Change Password. Simply <click> on the Sidebar Menu to move to each of these areas or remain on the My Courses page where you can Filter your courses, search your courses, or Launch a new course or continue a course.  (Refer to Image 1.4 below).

 

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Help Tab

Finally, by placing your mouse pointer over the Help Tab and <click>, you can access links to important documents to assist you in navigating and using TBOL, from Quick Start and User Guides, with step-by-step instructions for using TBOL, to FAQs that contain commonly asked questions by Officers, FTOs, and Administrators who use TBOL. (Refer to Image 1.5 below).

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4         Launching a Course

When you are ready to begin a new, simply navigate to the All Courses Tab and <click> on the Launch button next to your desired course. (Refer to Image 1.6 below).

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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 1.7 below).

 

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5         Navigating Within a Course (VOS – Verbal Options Simulator)

This is the Start page where you will be prompted to begin the Course/Module you have selected. From here you can <click> on the glowing, green arrow in the bottom, right-hand corner of the Start page to begin the Course/Module. (Refer to Image 1.8 below).

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You can also <click> on the Question Mark button to the left of the Start button to access a brief, avatar-led session on how to use the Verbal Options Simulator (VOS). (Refer to Image 1.9 below).

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Proceeding to the Briefing

 

Once you have <clicked> on the glowing, green Start button from the Start page, you will be directed to the Briefing page, where an (Shift Supervisor) avatar will provide you with information you will need to respond to the Challenges (Simulation/Scenario) you are about to view. This information is very similar to the information you would normally receive from Communications when being dispatched to a call for service.

 

To the right of the Shift Supervisor avatar, you will see an abbreviated, written summary of the Briefing provided by the Shift Supervisor avatar. (Refer to Image 1.10 below).

 

 

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Moving Through Each Challenge

 

Once you have listened to the Briefing from the Shift Supervisor avatar and read the corresponding, written summary, you are ready to <click> on the glowing, green arrow in the bottom, right corner of the Briefing page and proceed to the first Challenge. (Refer to Image 1.11 below).

 

 

 

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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 Images 1.12 and 1.13 below).

 

 

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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 1.13a below).

 

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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 1.13 on Pg. 17).

 

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 1.13 on Pg. 17).

 

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Challenge/Response

 

There are several different ways to view and practice your response to each Challenge presented in a TBOL Course/Module. A common approach would be to start by viewing the Verbal Response, viewing the Role Model, reading the Insights, reading the Key Elements, then practicing your response using the Record feature, until you are ready to move on to the next Challenge. Of course, you could use any of these tools, in any order you prefer, with similar results. The key is to practice and prepare to respond appropriately to each Challenge in the Evaluation portion of the Course/Module. (Refer to Image 1.14 below).

 

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Viewing the Insights

The purpose of the Insights in TBOL is to provide the Officer with more, in-depth, information regarding the current Challenge, and typically discusses why the Role Model responded to the Challenge as they did, both verbally and often, tactically. (Refer to Image 1.15 below).

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Viewing the Key Elements

Key Elements are associated with each Challenge in TBOL. The purpose of the Key Elements is to summarize or provide a list of items from the Challenge that the Officer should be prepared to address when practicing their response and eventually, recording their response in TBOL. (Refer to Image 1.16 below).

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Viewing the Script

By <clicking> on the Script button, the Officer can follow along with the Script while viewing the Challenge in TBOL. By following along, while viewing the Challenge, the Officer is employing several of the facets of Adult Learning Theory, a proven theory showing us how adults learn best. They are taking in visual, auditory, and written stimuli that will reinforce the concept they are learning. Text in gray reflects the Challenge that the Officer needs to respond to. Text in white is the Role Modeled response to the Challenge from the Subject. (Refer to Image 1.17 below).

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Recording and Practicing Your Response

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. 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, 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. Back to Top

 

*(Note: There may different buttons available on this page to facilitate practice and recording for review). The Officer can utilize some or all these features. (Refer to Image 1.18 below).

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Debriefing (After Action Review)

The Debriefing page at the end of the practice phase of the TBOL Course/Module is presented by the Shift Supervisor avatar and is like an After-Action Review. The Shift Supervisor avatar summarizes the Challenges presented and the Role Model Officer’s response, focusing on what the Role Model Officer did well. There is also a bulleted list provided on this page that presents a condensed list of skills learned. (Refer to Image 1.19 below).

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Evaluation

Following the Debriefing, the Officer will proceed to the Evaluation portion of the TBOL Course/Module, that is introduced by a Proctor avatar, who explains the elements the Officer will be required to demonstrate during the Evaluation. (Refer to Image 1.20 below).

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Answer Written Questions

Officers’ recorded responses will be assessed during the Evaluation portion of each TBOL Course/Module, demonstrating that they have learned and mastered each skill presented. 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. Future Versions of TBOL will incorporate scoring of video recorded responses during the Evaluation process by the system. Additionally, a progress report is available, detailing each Officer’s progress in the TBOL system and module scores to FTOs and Supervisors as defined by the Client Administrator for each department. The frequency of the progress report’s generation is also at the discretion of the Client Administrator of each department. (Refer to Image 1.21 below).

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Scoring Summary

At the end of the written test in each TBOL Course/Module, the Officer will be presented with a Scoring Summary for their review. (Refer to Image 1.22 below).

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Review Your Module Progress

After reviewing the Scoring Summary and upon completion of each TBOL Course/Module, the Officer can return to the My Courses Tab and review the results of their Course/Module Evaluation in a side-by-side setting with their Peer, FTO, or Supervisor. (Refer to Image 1.23 below).

 

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6         Evaluator Role (FTO/Training Supervisor/Shift Supervisor)

The role of the Evaluator in TBOL is to review and document the scoring summaries from the TBOL Course/Modules completed by Officers and Recruits, along with conducting side-by-side reviews of Recorded Responses.

A progress report is available, detailing each Officer’s progress in the TBOL system and module scores to FTOs and Supervisors as defined by the Client Administrator for each department. The frequency of the progress report’s generation is also at the discretion of the Client Administrator of each department. *(Note: Requests for TBOL Course/Module Progress Reports and Scoring Summaries by department and Officer may be submitted to your TBOL Account Manager and should include e-mail addresses of departmental recipients, along with their names, fields requested to be shown on reports, and frequency of report distribution. The Account Manager will then submit this information to TBOL for report creation, set-up, and generation).

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Reviewing Recorded Responses

Each recorded response during the Scoring and Evaluation mode in TBOL by be reviewed in a side-by-side setting with the FTO or Supervisor by simply <clicking> on the PLAY button in the Record/Playback window of TBOL (Refer to Image 1.24 below). The Officer’s response will then be evaluated by their Peer, FTO, or Training Supervisor and the elements demonstrated by the Officer in their response will be checked off in the boxes to the left of the Record/Playback window. These checked boxes are used to compile the Officer’s score that is reported in the Scoring Summary at the end of the Course/Module.

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Evaluating Recorded Responses

When evaluating recorded responses in TBOL, the FTO or Supervisor should be watching each recorded response with an eye toward whether the Officer’s response reflected the Key Elements of the Challenge and is consistent with the Insights and verbal skills being taught in the TBOL Course/Module. Then, these demonstrated elements should be checked off, as demonstrated by the Officer in their recorded response, by the Evaluator.

 

Reviewing the Written Test (Answers/Scores)

A Completeness Summary and Command Presence Summary is available on the Scoring Summary page of each Course/Module in TBOL and reflects the percentage of the Officer’s correct answers on the written test in TBOL. Each Challenge within the TBOL Course/Module is tested and appears in each TBOL Scoring Summary Sub-Category. (Refer to Image 1.25 below).

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Documenting VOS Evaluated Responses and Test Scores (DOR/Training Files)

In order to ensure that the training provided to each Officer utilizing the TBOL system is documented and legally defensible, it is paramount that the Evaluator, FTO, or Supervisor document Scoring Summaries and critiques of recorded video responses for each TBOL Course/Module. This can be accomplished for recruits/trainees using the department’s DOR (Daily Observation Report) form. For veteran Officer, results can be documented in each Officer’s training file on specific form provided by the department or as a part of annual in-service records. Written test scores and critiques of recorded video responses should also be documented on departmental Corrective Action forms or included in Counseling Statements if a TBOL Course/Module is assigned to provide remedial training or intervention based on an Officer involved incident.

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