Online Professional Development

The Online Professional Development Institute (OPDI) module was developed for an association that offered its own online courses, to allow members to earn continuing education units (CEUs) and points towards a certificate. Students can take a variety of courses in different tracks, focused on different knowledge domains and based on their individual career goals.

Courses are presented online using the Sakai Learning Management System (LMS), an open-source platform that is one of the most respected LMS’s available. This module interfaces with an instance of Sakai managed by the LAMP Consortium (http://lampschools.org).

Administrators: You are viewing User instructions for this module. For Administrator instructions, go here.

OPDI in the Member Profile

When OPDI is active, members see a new panel in their Profile screen:

Member Profile Screen with OPDI

The OPDI panel will show different text and options based on the member’s status in OPDI:

  • You are not yet an OPDI student - For members not yet enrolled in OPDI. This is also the version shown while the application is “In Process” not yet complete or submitted by the student. Clicking the link displays the application form.
    • Resend Email - This option resends the initial “Save Application” email to a student whose OPDI application is “In Process”. It is not available for any other status.
    • Delete - This option deletes a student record where the OPDI application is “In Process”. It is not available for any other status. You will be asked to confirm this action.
  • Your OPDI application fee has not yet been paid - For members who have completed the enrollment application but have not yet paid their application fee. Status is “Pending”. Clicking the link displays the Pending Payment page.
  • Your application for OPDI is under review - For members who have paid the application fee. Status is “Applied”.
  • Your application for OPDI has been decined - For members whose enrollment was rejected. Status is “Rejected”. There is also a link to update the application with more recent information.
  • Congratulations! You are an OPDI student - For members whose enrollment was accepted. Status is “Accepted”. There is also a link to update the application with more recent information.

For students in OPDI, clicking the Access OPDI button displays information on completed and in-process classes, required classes and upcoming classes. A screen similar to the following is displayed:

Completed and In-Process Classes Tab

This screen shows completed and in-process classes, including the class no, name, and track, section and status, grade and CEUs for completed classes. For classes where the status is In Process, clicking the Access Sakai icon jumps the user over to Sakai, logged in and accessing the learning space for that class.

If payment is owed, a payment icon will appear. Clicking it displays the Pending Payment screen.

For classes that are flagged as In Process, an Access Sakai icon is displayed to allow users to jump directly into that class space in Sakai, without needing to login again.

For classes that are flagged as Completed, a Print Certificate button allows the student to print a certificate of completion for that class.

Progress Classes Tab

Admins will see a list of classes in the system, with a checkbox beside each class. They can check those classes that the student needs to complete. There is no “Save” button; changes are saved as each box is checked or unchecked.

Users see a read-only list of these checked classes, with a “Completed” column showing Yes or No for each class.

Upcoming Classes Tab

This screen lists upcoming classes. Clicking the Details icon displays a popup screen with basic information about the class. Clicking the Additional Info icon downloads and displays the file of additional information (usually a PDF) that was uploaded for the class.

For classes that are “Open for Enrollment”, an Enroll icon appears to allow students to enroll in the class.

Required Classes Tab

This screen lists any classes flagged as “Required” and whether or not they have been completed.

Non-Members Using OPDI

The OPDI application form can be placed anywhere on the website. Its title is OPDI Application.

It can be found in the list of available modules and pages when you are building a menu or submenu. It can also be found in the list of Built-in Modules in the Link Builder, available in the advanced content editor.

On the public side of the website, you will most likely have a custom page describing OPDI. The application form can then be placed as a link or button on this page, to allow members and non-members to launch the application.

Non-members will see the following screen. Notice the link for members to login.

Non-Member Student Application Screen

Members will see this version of the same screen, with their contact information already filled in.

Member Student Application Screen