Students: Drop-in Introduction

The above video demonstrates our virtual (Zoom) Queue Mode. Both virtual and physical locations can have a Queue, meaning once you check-in, you'll be given a place in line and an estimated wait time. Penji will send updates as it gets closer to your turn. We recommend downloading the Penji mobile app to manage your place in the queue.

Introduction

Drop-in hours refer to designated times when students can seek academic support or tutoring services without prior appointments. These flexible sessions accommodate students' varying schedules and urgent academic needs.

Penji recognizes the need for accessible academic assistance beyond scheduled appointments. By offering drop-in hours, a community ensures that students can receive timely support, fostering a conducive learning environment where students can address immediate academic challenges as they arise. 

Basic Flow of Drop-In Process

1. Pick a course.
   • Begin by selecting the specific course for which you require academic assistance.
2. View hours of support at each drop-in location for that course.
   • For the most up-to-date schedule, check the drop-in schedule on the same day you plan to attend because there are some instances in which tutors are booked for appointments during a drop-in slot.  But mostly, centers' drop-in schedules won't change within 12 hours of a given slot.
     

     

     Student view of drop-in schedules after selecting "View Drop-in Schedules" and then picking a class

3. Engage with that location. The location will either be set up in Virtual Queue, Physical (In-Person) Queue, or Physical Log mode. 
4. Check out.
   • Note: If the chosen location is set up with either the Virtual Queue or Physical Queue, you do not need to check out, as the tutor does this for you.

Modes of Drop-In

Virtual (Zoom) Queue Mode

1. Tap "View drop-in tutoring schedule" or other similarly titled button on the home screen
2. Select a course. This should result in a filtered view of scheduled drop-in hours for that course at the various Locations available 
3. Tap "Check-In" if you are within the scheduled hours
4. After check-in, the page will show you your check-in details, which will be your position in line, as well as how long the students above you in the queue have been waiting.
   
   
5. You will receive mobile and email notifications updating you about your place in line and when the provider is ready for you.
6. Once the tutor is ready for you, join the Drop-In tutoring  

In-Person (Physical) Queue Mode

Note: The steps are the same as the Virtual (Zoom) Queue Mode, except for the use of a Kiosk.

1. Tap "View drop-in tutoring schedule" or other similarly titled button on the home screen
2. Select a course. This results in a filtered view of scheduled drop-in hours for that course at the various Locations available 
3. Tap "Check-In" if you are within the scheduled hours
4. After check-in, the page will show you your check-in details, which ill be your position in line and the estimated, as well as how long the students above you in the queue have been waiting (see image above.)
5. You will receive mobile and email notifications updating you about your place in line and when the provider is ready for you.
6. Once the tutor is ready for you, join the Drop-In tutoring  
   
   • Your center might have a Kiosk available for in-person check-ins. You can either check-in from a personal device OR check-in from the Kiosk. If you check-in from the kiosk, you will receive an email with a link to check your place in the queue.

In-Person (Physical) Log Mode

If in In-Person (Physical) Log Mode, the student can check out from their personal device OR at the Kiosk on their way out.

Check-in Process through the KIOSK:

1. Tap "Check-In" on the Kiosk.
2. Input your school email address.
3. Select a course or resource.
   • For courses, you can view your enrolled courses if this setting is enabled by your community admin.
     
   • Resources vary by drop-in location and may include items like printers, computer usage, etc., as determined by the program coordinator.
4. Choose a specific tutor. If this setting is enabled by your program admin, you can select a specific tutor.
5. Check the tutor's availability. If you select a specific tutor, or select "any tutor", you will see their availability on the next screen. 
   
6. Tap "Check-In." If you find an available tutor, you can tap "Check-In" 
   
   
   
7. Enter your name and pronouns (if the setting is enabled).
   
8. Select "Submit." Once you click submit, you will receive a link to your email showing your position on the waitlist.
   
   
   
9. Once you are done with your drop-in tutoring or have finished using a resource, make sure to check out! Go to the kiosk you used before, select "Check-Out", and find the email you used to check-in. 

QUEUE MODE ONLY:

• An email is sent to the student with a link to check their place in the queue. Updates will also be sent via email.

LOG MODE ONLY:

• After the Drop-In interaction, students will need to check out.

Check-in Process through a personal DEVICE:

1. Tap "View drop-in tutoring schedule" or other similarly titled button on the home screen
2. Select a course, which results in a filtered view of scheduled drop-in hours for that course at the various Locations available 
3. Tap "Check-In" if you are within the scheduled hours
4. Once you are done with your drop-in tutoring or have finished using a resource, make sure to check out! Go to a kiosk (you cannot use a personal device to check out), select "Check-Out", and find your email.