The Verbal Options Simulator (VOS) Learning Flow
ThinBlueOnLine developed and Patented new Learning Methodologies and New Technologies in developing the Verbal Options Simulator. VOS utilizes the infinite patience and 24×7 availability of the technology to construct realistic simulations that are ready to train around the clock. Available on Computers, Tablets, and Mobiles, learners get the repetition and structure that they need to learn deeply and quickly.
The six main steps within VOS are:
- Briefing
- Challenge
- Role Model
- Practice
- Debriefing
- Evaluation
The Briefing
Each learning Module begins with a police captain giving a Briefing that describes the scenario and prepares the learner for what they are about to experience.
At the left is the video of the captain who provides basic instructions for the learner, often similar to a simple dispatch message. To the right are specific details about this scenario.
The Module Progress Map is shown at the top of the screen.
The Challenge
After the Briefing, the officer advances into the learning section of the Module where they will work through each stage of the conversation.
The first step in the learning process is to have the subject look you in the eye and ask you a question, make a statement, or present you with some other form of Challenge.
This step is specifically included to create a thirst in the brain as it desperately seeks to find the proper response. The learner will often choose to guess if they don’t specifically know the answer, and if they “get it wrong” this private failure further inspires the brain to pay attention for the correct response to follow.
To the right are Insights, which provide additional details and ideas, often contributed by experts in policing, behavior, social intelligence, and more. These provide great depth of understanding as to how responses need to be structured.
The Role Model
The next step is to see a Role Model give a best practice response in the video pane on the left. This perspective presents the view that the subject would see. Key Elements (language that is required in any complete response) is shown at the right.
A good technique is to play the Role Model video and deconstruct the statement by comparing it to the Key Elements on the right to see how the spoken language satisfies each of these required components.
The goal is to have the learner form their own answer, as we don’t want them to just repeat the Role Model word-for-word. More effective learning takes place when they use their own language in their own style while satisfying all of the Key Element requirements.
The Practice Session
Now it is time for the learner to practice their response. With the subject looking them right in the eye, they look back and respond verbally.
The basic requirement for content is to deliver all of the Key Elements. This is where the Self-Recorded Video tool can be really helpful. The learner can record their response, and play it back to check their words, tone, body language, and overall delivery. They can compare their response to the required Key Elements, and also review the Insights, or replay the Role Model video to see the best practice response, and take all of these learning points into consideration as they continue to refine their response and delivery.
Multiple attempts to work to get it right constitutes actual Practice, and it is a foundational approach for effective learning.
The Debriefing
After working through all the stages of the encounter, the police captain returns to give the learner a Debriefing. He may provide some additional insight into the scenario, provide other helpful tips, or explain why the role models responded the way they did.
The Scored Evaluation
After the learner has practiced their responses and feels that they can reliably demonstrate a correct performance, they may request a Scored Evaluation.
The Challenges are exactly the same as they worked through in the practice session, and they need to deliver responses that include all of the Key Elements, and deliver them with an appropriate tone. Anything less than a perfect response will indicate that additional practice is necessary. By strictly enforcing this standard, officers will embed best practice responses in their memories, which will help in setting the pattern for responses on duty.
Scoring can be done in person (side-by-side in the same room), remotely over the web, or even asynchronously where the learner submits their video responses for subsequent scoring by an evaluator.
Connect with Communities
It's not just about "policing," it's about connecting. Learn skills to operate in socially intelligent ways.
Train for Favorable Outcomes
Learn to intelligently engage and connect with communities to reduce the level of force needed or eliminate it altogether.
Learn as the Brain Learns
Train in a private and safe environment to learn knowledge, build skills, and embed behaviors by engaging visual, auditory, language, and vocal centers of the brain.
Practical Affortable Technology
Our learners use patented new Technology to learn, practice, and build skills that allow Law Enforcement to operate more effectively and save lives.
