Since we're all up waiting for the Lieutenant exam list, I figure I'd get some input on our new Patrol Guide
Rising Star will be replacing its Patrol Guide notes with The Essential Guide. The Essential Guide is the actual Patrol Guide, word-for-word, with certain enhancements
1. It will only include the actors required for your exam. So for this exam only Sergeant and below duties will be included (no lieutenant, captain, duty chief etc)
2. Less important steps ("fluff") will be faded gray (but still legible). You should still read it, but now you can concentrate on the more important elements in the patrol guide
3. Confusing procedures will be explained or examples given
4. It will include notes, study tips, and acronyms. Certain procedures will contain 2 or 3 acronyms (you cross-out the one/s you won't use)
5. Most lengthier/complicated procedures will have "takeaway" boxes at the end of the procedure, summarizing or pointing out important steps
The Essential Guide was developed in consultation with dozens of studiers and it incorporated many of the things you wanted to see. The gray fading is designed to subdue the less important parts of the guide--our group of studiers indicated that this was less confusing than heavy highlighting. Furthermore, explanations are at the bottom of the procedure or right beside/immediately below a particular step: no distracting boxes that draws your attention away from the text or break your concentration. The new format still allows you to highlight, so now you'll have 3 tiers of text: 1. faded 2. regular text 3. highlighted.
We are still editing the guide, but we'd like to share it with studiers (and you) so you can see the new look.
-- Edited by eze on Tuesday 12th of January 2016 05:27:36 AM
machine said
Jan 12, 2016
You guys at Risingstarpromotion are geniuses so I almost feel unworthy to comment anything negative. That said however, I have to say Im not a fan of enhancement #2. Trying to read the "fluff" in faded gray hurt my eyes. If I'm reading for 10 minutes or longer I would probably ignore the text completely and as you also acknowledge, even though it's fluff, it still need to get read (especially after the last couple of exams!). In my humble opinion, I feel that using a smaller font or some other presentation for the "fluff" would be more effective and less strenuous for the reader. Just my two cents.
Machine, Sergeant.
eze said
Jan 12, 2016
machine wrote:
You guys at Risingstarpromotion are geniuses so I almost feel unworthy to comment anything negative. That said however, I have to say Im not a fan of enhancement #2. Trying to read the "fluff" in faded gray hurt my eyes. If I'm reading for 10 minutes or longer I would probably ignore the text completely and as you also acknowledge, even though it's fluff, it still need to get read (especially after the last couple of exams!). In my humble opinion, I feel that using a smaller font or some other presentation for the "fluff" would be more effective and less strenuous for the reader. Just my two cents.
Machine, Sergeant.
Thanks for the feedback, Machine.
I agree with you on the difficulty of reading the faded gray in the sample lesson, however, it is crisper once printed. We did try the smaller font, but ultimately the faded gray won.
We are trying to be judicious with the shading of procedures. so in Desk Officer, for example we faded the obvious ones: perform duty in uniform, supervise your subordinates, etc. It's amazing how much fluff there is in that book like "be courteous" or this paragraph from 203-11:
"All uniformed members of the service are responsible and accountable for the proper use of force under appropriate circumstances. Members of the service are reminded that the application of force must be consistent with existing lawandwithNewYorkCityPolice Department Values, by which we pledge to value human life and respectthedignity of each individual. Dependinguponthe circumstances, both federal and statelaws provide for criminal sanctionsandcivilliabilityagainstuniformed membersof the service, when force is deemed excessive, wrongful or improperly applied.The primary duty of all members of the service is to preserve human life.Only thatamount of force necessary to overcome resistance will be used to effect an arrest or take a mentally ill or emotionally disturbed person into custody. Deadly physical force will be used ONLY as a last resort and consistent with Department policy and thelaw."
It seems important--it even sounds important--but in reality there's nothing there that would be crucial if you missed it. Could they ask a question on it? yes, it's highly testable, actually; but if asked, common sense would (should) allow you to answer the question correctly.
We're still going through edits, and for 206, for example, are still on the fence between shading the Schedule As.
All the best!
-- Edited by eze on Tuesday 12th of January 2016 02:21:33 PM
DRPapi1983 said
Jan 12, 2016
I like it bro,...keep up the good work
Doggieloverwoof said
Jan 12, 2016
I would have loved to have this when i was studying for sgt. I think it's a great idea.
Junius78 said
Jan 12, 2016
Im most likely not making this Lts list thanks to the material i studied from the Key. Next time it will be rising star for sure. Best to be over-prepared than under-prepared
TiNmAn said
Jan 12, 2016
I think this consolidates the guide and notes into one without feeling overwhelmed. I feel the notes in the past were good but often neglected to mention a lot of the procedure. With this I feel it is a win win. The faded gray I don't see being as issue because it is not omitted. It may not be for everyone but I think it is a step in the right direction. Keep up the great work.
From a former student
psagrunt said
Jan 13, 2016
i really like all the things you have done with this guide except graying out the "fluff".I think we all agree that everything must be read and the gray shading only makes it stand out more
due to only a small percentage of the material that is actually being grayed out. besides that i think everything else especially only leaving in the rank that matters is genius.
70please said
Jan 13, 2016
Is it possible for a digital version for the guide.. I found having the guide available on my iPad incredibly convenient
eze said
Jan 13, 2016
70please wrote:
Is it possible for a digital version for the guide.. I found having the guide available on my iPad incredibly convenient
In the future we hope to have it available digitally. I'm looking to customize the patrol guide with various filters to fit each student's needs.
for now it's just the paper format, which we prefer since it's the same format as the exams--pencil and paper.
Since we're all up waiting for the Lieutenant exam list, I figure I'd get some input on our new Patrol Guide
Rising Star will be replacing its Patrol Guide notes with The Essential Guide. The Essential Guide is the actual Patrol Guide, word-for-word, with certain enhancements
1. It will only include the actors required for your exam. So for this exam only Sergeant and below duties will be included (no lieutenant, captain, duty chief etc)
2. Less important steps ("fluff") will be faded gray (but still legible). You should still read it, but now you can concentrate on the more important elements in the patrol guide
3. Confusing procedures will be explained or examples given
4. It will include notes, study tips, and acronyms. Certain procedures will contain 2 or 3 acronyms (you cross-out the one/s you won't use)
5. Most lengthier/complicated procedures will have "takeaway" boxes at the end of the procedure, summarizing or pointing out important steps
The Essential Guide was developed in consultation with dozens of studiers and it incorporated many of the things you wanted to see. The gray fading is designed to subdue the less important parts of the guide--our group of studiers indicated that this was less confusing than heavy highlighting. Furthermore, explanations are at the bottom of the procedure or right beside/immediately below a particular step: no distracting boxes that draws your attention away from the text or break your concentration. The new format still allows you to highlight, so now you'll have 3 tiers of text: 1. faded 2. regular text 3. highlighted.
We are still editing the guide, but we'd like to share it with studiers (and you) so you can see the new look.
Here is a sample of the new format:
http://www.risingstarpromotion.com/files/Rising_Star_Promotions_Sample_Essential_PG.pdf
Thoughts?
Good luck everyone
-- Edited by eze on Tuesday 12th of January 2016 05:27:36 AM
Machine, Sergeant.
Thanks for the feedback, Machine.
I agree with you on the difficulty of reading the faded gray in the sample lesson, however, it is crisper once printed. We did try the smaller font, but ultimately the faded gray won.
We are trying to be judicious with the shading of procedures. so in Desk Officer, for example we faded the obvious ones: perform duty in uniform, supervise your subordinates, etc. It's amazing how much fluff there is in that book like "be courteous" or this paragraph from 203-11:
"All uniformed members of the service are responsible and accountable for the proper use of force under appropriate circumstances. Members of the service are reminded that the application of force must be consistent with existing law and with New York City Police Department Values, by which we pledge to value human life and respect the dignity of each individual. Depending upon the circumstances, both federal and state laws provide for criminal sanctions and civil liability against uniformed members of the service, when force is deemed excessive, wrongful or improperly applied.The primary duty of all members of the service is to preserve human life. Only that amount of force necessary to overcome resistance will be used to effect an arrest or take a mentally ill or emotionally disturbed person into custody. Deadly physical force will be used ONLY as a last resort and consistent with Department policy and thelaw."
It seems important--it even sounds important--but in reality there's nothing there that would be crucial if you missed it. Could they ask a question on it? yes, it's highly testable, actually; but if asked, common sense would (should) allow you to answer the question correctly.
We're still going through edits, and for 206, for example, are still on the fence between shading the Schedule As.
All the best!
-- Edited by eze on Tuesday 12th of January 2016 02:21:33 PM
From a former student
due to only a small percentage of the material that is actually being grayed out. besides that i think everything else especially only leaving in the rank that matters is genius.
In the future we hope to have it available digitally. I'm looking to customize the patrol guide with various filters to fit each student's needs.
for now it's just the paper format, which we prefer since it's the same format as the exams--pencil and paper.