Ok, after numerous attempts I was unable to make a template builder in order to manipulate the way the interface is rendered in BSM. I tried a few methods in which users are able to build templates using different tags ("studyTitle", "studyDate", etc)

My first approach was to be able to drag tags onto a canvas, and position them however needed, but it didn't work out -- too many problems arose, and it didn't seem like it would enhance customization.

My second approach, was dynamically create tables and rows, and insert tags in those cells, and save all the html of the template in the db. --> this way seemed more efficient than the first one, but again, problems arose in terms of customization. For example, what if the user wanted to display an background image for that particular template?

I've thought about it, and maybe perhaps the best way to fully customize the interface would be to allow users to make template through RAW html, and they can insert the tags where ever they please, and use any css that they need inside their templates.

Perhaps in the future, have an "easyMode" --- a javascript abstraction layer for the template designer, for users that are not very HTML Savvy.

Once the templates are done, they would be able to be assigned to individual studies, study lists, individual teachers, teacher lists, etc....

I've discussed with Tom about templating for a while now, but like i've said I kept getting stuck when trying to build the javascipt interface for it, thus I never was able to present a functioning demo.

do you think plain html templating would work for the time being?

here are some screenshots of the things i've been working on. (not really functioning properly, however)