Admins: Understanding the Student In-person Drop-In Flow – Penji

This article is specifically School Admins.

Learning Objective: Understand how a student would utilize in-person Drop-In.

Penji Recommendation: We recommend practicing using Drop-In as a student would, within your community, before moving on.

Overview

This article explains how students use Drop-In support in Penji, including both Log Mode and Queue Mode. This is typically used to help admins understand the student experience and properly configure Drop-In locations.

Important

⚠️ Important: Students can check in using either:

The Penji web/mobile app, or
A Kiosk link (QR code, tablet, or front desk setup)

The student experience depends on whether your location is using Log Mode or Queue Mode You can confirm your mode in: Admin Panel > Drop-In Locations > Mode column

Providers with access to the Kiosk link can check students in or out

When to Use This

Use this if:

You are setting up or reviewing Drop-In mode
You want to understand how students check in and receive support
You need to troubleshoot Drop-In usage or confusion

Log Mode

In Log mode, students enter the centre, check in, and work with any available provider they can find. For example, providers might sit at tables with signs showing their general areas of expertise, or your centre may use another system to help students identify who can support them. The typical student experience is outlined below.

Check-in Process through the Kiosk:

For purposes of this course, find the Kiosk Link in your admin panel > Drop-In locations > open the Kiosk Link -- if you were an actual student, using Drop-In, you would go to the physical location and find the Kiosk
Tap "Check-In" on the Kiosk
Select the mode of support (tutoring, advising, etc.) or an available resource. Note, that we go over how to change resources later in the course (Setting up Drop-In Locations).
If you selected the mode of support, select a topic, which results in a filtered view of scheduled drop-in hours for that topic at your specific location.
- If you selected a resource you will not need to select a topic. Instead, you will move directly to Step 5, entering your email/ID
Once you select "Check-In", enter your email/ID and start working with a provider

Check-in Process through your own Device:

Login at web.penjiapp.com or access the mobile app
Select the button that relates to drop-in on your home screen
Select a topic, which results in a filtered view of scheduled drop-in hours for that topic at different locations
Tap "Check-In" at your preferred location and start working with a provider

Check-Out Process

Once students are done working in that space, students will check out through the Kiosk (go to the kiosk, select "Check-Out", and find your email/ID).

Queue Mode

In Queue Mode, students are placed in a queue after they check in and are emailed a link to check their position in the queue and their estimated wait time. Your providers are responsible for managing this queue from their own devices (mobile app or web browser). This mode provides more structure for the center. The process for a student is outlined below.