controller whatever def index end def get_correct_form if params[:your_value_from_the_select_in_index_view] == 'teacher' partial_to_load = "teacher" end render :partial => partial_to_load end end your index view : <%= observe_field(:our_value_from_the_select_in_index_view :url => { :action => :get_correct_form }), :frequency => 0.5, :update => "form_contents", :with => 'query' %>