Pyxis Learning Center is NRPA’s online learning system dedicated to providing continuing education opportunities to the park and recreation community’s professionals, part-time staff, volunteers and citizen advocates. It acts as a home for training and education resources and is accessible anytime, anywhere and at a low cost.
What is Online Learning?The term online learning refers to computer or technology-based educational situations and covers a wide range of learning processes. Online learning is:
Pyxis Learning Center’s online learning delivers educational content via a Web browser over the Internet and includes links to other learning resources such as references, email, bulletin boards, and discussion groups.
What do I need to complete a Pyxis Learning Center course?You will need a computer with an internet connection and which meets the minimum system requirements. You will also need to have Adobe Flash Player installed on your computer. All computers assembled since 2002 have this player preinstalled already, but if your computer is older you may need to download this FREE piece of software from www.adobe.com
What are the minimum system requirements for taking Pyxis Learning Center courses?The courses work with both MAC and PC operating systems.
Browsers: IE6, Mozilla Firefox 2
Flash Player – Works with older versions, but preferable that it
be version 9.x. This FREE software is available from
www.adobe.com
If you are making a purchase as an individual or for a group, you may register and pay by selecting your preferred course listed under “Available Courses.” There will be a link on the course overview page titled “Register Now,” which will allow you to purchase the desired course. Choose individual purchase as your Registration Method from the drop-down menu. You will have the option of paying with a credit/debit card, check or money order, or you may send in a purchase order (see below). If paying for an individual course with a credit/debit card, you will be able to begin your course immediately. If paying with a credit/debit card, make sure to print your confirmation page as this will act as your receipt of payment.
Payments made by check, money order, or P.O.
Contact Melanie Scoggins, at mscoggins@nrpa.org or 703-858-4743 to pay with a check, money order or P.O., to have your order processed.
How do I make an individual purchase for someone else?To purchase an individual course for someone else, you will proceed as if you were making a group purchase, but will select the “Group purchase 1-9” option and make sure the purchase is set to "1" on the credit card payment page. This will provide you with an access code that you will then pass on to the person taking the training. They will then register using the “I was given an access code” option. You will have the option of paying with a credit/debit card, check/money order, or you may send in a purchase order. If you are paying with a credit/debit card, your learner will be able to register for and begin the course immediately. If paying with a credit/debit card, make sure to print your confirmation page as this will act as your receipt of payment.
Payments made by check, money order, or P.O.
Contact Melanie Scoggins, at mscoggins@nrpa.org or 703-858-4743 to pay with a check, money order or P.O., to have your order processed.
How do I make group purchases?You may register and pay by selecting your preferred course listed under “Available Courses.”
There will be a blue button at the bottom of the course overview page titled “Register Now”, which will allow you to purchase the desired course.
Choose “group purchase” as your Registration Method from the drop-down. Be sure to select the correct group size for your needs.
On the credit card payment page, type in the exact number of seats you need (if different than the default). A group discount will be applied.
You will have the option of paying with a credit/debit card, check/money order, or purchase order.
If paying with a credit/debit card, you will receive an access code which will then need to be distributed to each member of the group. Each individual will then be able to register themselves using the access code. Please make sure to print your confirmation page, as this will act as your receipt of payment.
Payments made by check, money order, or P.O.
Contact Melanie Scoggins, at mscoggins@nrpa.org or 703-858-4743 to pay with a check, money order or P.O., to have your order processed.
What are the group discounts?If purchasing for a group of more than 10 people, the following discounts will apply:
NRPA has specifically chosen to utilize an online learning platform (software) which is very intuitive and simple to use. Learners of all ages have utilized this software successfully as it mimics many of the common buttons and processes you are used to seeing on the internet. For example, you may navigate courses using a simple “Continue” and “Back” button, just like you can navigate web pages. These buttons will take you forward or backward one page at a time. Additionally, there is no need to download complicated software and the system works with ANY internet connection.
How do I get support if I need assistance?Pyxis Learning Center offers support 24/7 by email and from 9AM – 5PM EST by toll-free phone.
Email – You can contact Pyxis Learning Center at any time for technical support
and payment inquiries using the following email address:
support@pyxislearningcenter.org
Phone – During business hours (above), you may reach a live
person to assist you at 1.877.804.0410.
All of Pyxis Learning Center’s courses include a comprehensive assessment to ensure that the student has attained the required learning objectives. This is done through quizzes, tests, essays, etc. Additionally, all learners’ progress is tracked to ensure course completion. Students receive a certificate of completion or a CEU transcript (depending on the course) only after they have successfully completed the course and passed the assessment.
Do I have to finish a course all at once or can I complete it in “pieces”?You can complete our courses in “pieces” by logging in and out on your own schedule. Once you've begun a course you may log out at any time. When you return, you simply log back in and the course will “remember” your progress, allowing you to restart right where you last finished working. Of course, you also have the option to go back and review any sections you've already completed if you'd like. Sometimes this is preferable if it's been a while since you logged into a course. The choice is yours.