Sonia Online is CMI’s placement management system. It is a web-based system widely used by universities, colleges, and training providers to coordinate and manage student placements.
The system is very intuitive and easy to use and is broken down into the following key pages:
- Home page
- Placements (access to Timesheets)
- My Details
- Checks
- History
- Documents
- Calendar
View the Student Snapshot to find out what is found on each page.
Watch this video for an overview of the system.
Key Features:
For Students:
- Placement Information Access: View details about assigned placements, including location, supervisor, and placement reps. Note: Students will only be able to see the details of their placement location, supervisor and placement rep once their placement coordinator has allocated them to their placement and the student has submitted their pre-placement checks (WWCC, Police check, AHPRA reg, if app) and they’ve been approved by the placement team staff.
- Pre-Placement Checks and Document Management: Submit required documents such as WWCC, police checks, AHPRA registration (if app) and all placement assessment requirements such as Placement contract & Learning plan, Mid-placement / End-placement reviews, supervisor observations, case reports, MSEs etc.
- Communication Tools: Receive updates, messages, and reminders from placement coordinators.
- Meeting Bookings: Book in meetings with your placement coordinator for key meetings (e.g. startup contract meeting, mid and end placement reviews).
- Preference Submission: Indicate preferred placement locations or times (if permitted by the institution).
- Timesheets (Logbook): Enter placement activity and hours worked and submit for approval online via the Timesheet function. Watch the video for an overview on how to enter your placement activity and hours into your online Timesheet / logbook.
EXAMPLES OF FORMS
Here are some samples of forms students’ may be required to submit via the Sonia system as part of their placement. Note: The content in these forms vary across courses.
These are guides only and not for use outside of the Sonia system.
Placement contract and learning plan (all students)
Placement Proposal Form_Placement A (post reg students only)
Placement Proposal Form_Placement B (post reg students only)
How to Complete Timesheets in Sonia
Access to Sonia Online
Students completing a placement unit as part of their course, will be sent a ‘Welcome to Sonia’ email with access to the Sonia Student User Guide around 2 weeks before the semester start date of their first placement. Students will then be able to access all subsequent placement units.
NOTE: Students won’t be able to access Sonia until their account has been set up and approved. If you click the site link and it doesn’t redirect, then this means you don’t yet have access.
Access will be deactivated once all students in the unit have been officially completed.
It is recommended that students keep copies of their placements assessment forms for their personal records as once access to Sonia is deactivated, they will no longer be able to access their past placement forms.
Access the Sonia Student User Guide
Sonia Support
If you need assistance accessing or navigating the Sonia Online system, please reach out to placements@cairnmillar.edu.au in the first instance.
Troubleshooting
Sub-activities not displaying in dropdown list in the Timesheets – This has been identified as an issue for students using Apple products such as macbooks. Note: the system won’t work on ipad or tablets.
We think this is a browser issue but could be something else. This is being investigated but, in the meantime, if you encounter any issues, please try the following:
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Close down your computer if you haven’t done that for a while and try again.
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Try logging in via an Incognito / private browser window (this may work with a private window in Safari)
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Clear your browser cache. Sometimes stored cache prevents functionality of systems.
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Try a different browser rather than Safari if you’re on a Mac.
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Try a windows computer/laptop, if available
Learning Equity Support
If you feel you may need a Learning Access Plan (LAP) to guide you through your placement, please reach out to CMI's Learning Equity team to see if you're eligible. Please contact the team early so you can get the support you need throughout your studies.