gistfile1.txt

this works, details are updated accordingly 
def fees
    @pin = Pin.new
    @title = "Pay Fees"
     if request.post?
    pin = Pin.check_pin_value(params[:pin][:number])
    user = User.find(current_user.id)
    amount = params[:pin][:value]
    if pin.nil?
      flash.now[:error] = "Unable to Pay Fees,Check You Pin and Make sure it has not been Used"
    else
    pin.update_attribute(:status,false)
      flash[:success] ="Fees Paid"
      redirect_to fees_path
...

Nothing is updated here, because the form is submited with a put

 def register
    @title = "Register for Course"
    @course = Course.find_all_by_department_id(current_user.department.id)
    user = User.find(current_user.id)
        if request.post? 
    if user.update_attribute(:registered,true)
      flash.now[:success] = "Registered Successfully for Courses"
    else
      flash.now[:error] = "Error Registering for Courses"
   end
     ...

the form_for tag :

 <%= form_for @course, :url => {:action =>"register"}, :validate => true do |f| %>
               <% @course.each do |course|%>
           <b><%=  course.name %></b>  <br/>
       <% end %>