Action plans for courses
The action plan is a more in-depth version of the course analysis created for courses with certain development needs. The action plan allows more time and space to analyse and develop the course. Here you can read about what an action plan should contain, in which cases it can be created and how to fill in an action plan.
Why is an action plan created?
If a course is in need of certain development, an action plan should be created for the course. Development needs can be identified in connection with course evaluation, course analysis or through some other form of follow-up.
An action plan can be initiated in two different ways:
- By own initiative by the course coordinator, examiner, Programme Director or head of department.
- Automatically by the course evaluation system in Canvas, if the average value of the students' answers to the last question of the course survey is below 3.0.
Reasons for requesting an action plan on your own initiative may be a greater need for development than can be accommodated within normal course development, a need to develop progression within a programme, a need for subject renewal, a sudden change in throughput, or a long-term low throughput.
What does the action plan contain?
In the action plan, the course coordinator describes the actions planned for the next time the course is offered. The reason for the action plan (if different from the course survey results) can also be stated.
The plan is developed with the support of colleagues and students. You therefore need to gather information from several sources, for example from student representatives via the course evaluation board, the study board president (SNO) or the programme responsible student (PAS), and from colleagues such as the Progamme Director (PA), head of department or other teachers. Utilise the meetings that are already planned to make the work more efficient.
The actions listed in the action plan, unlike the course analysis, are binding and will be followed up by the head of department. The action plan is not published for students, but goes to the Programme Director and the head of department. The Programme Director can choose to inform the students about the planned actions.
Action plan process
The action plan process can be broken down into five steps.
1. Initiating action plan
The action plan can be initiated in two different ways:
- On your own initiative by the course coordinator, examiner, Programme Direcotr or head of department. The person initiating the action plan gives a short description of the reason.
- Automatically by the course evaluation system in Canvas, if the average value of the answers to the last question in the course survey (my overall impression of the course regarding both implementation and content is that it is good) is below 3.0 out of 5.0.
2. Action plan is created by course coordinator
The course coordinator creates the action plan with the support of, for example, colleagues and the head of department. Information gathering for further analysis and consultation with students and the Progamme Director may be needed. When the action plan is ready, it is sent to the Programme Director.
3. Action plan is approved by programme director
The Programme Director approves the plan if they think it contains sufficient actions. If changes are needed, it goes back to the course coordinator for revision. When the action plan is approved, it is sent to the head of department.
4. Action plan is decided by head of department
The head of department decides that the action plan should be implemented. If changes are needed, it goes back to the course coordinator for revision.
5. Measures are implemented
When the plan is decided, the measures included in the plan are implemented. The measures should be implemented by the next time the course is offered, except for courses that are offered frequently.
Responsibility for the action plan
The action plan is created by the course coordinator and/or examiner with the support of the institution providing the course. The Programme Director approves that the measures are sufficient. The head of department is responsible for ensuring that the action plan is created, that the planned measures are implemented, and that funds/staff are allocated to the measures decided. Other than that, the functions required to take relevant measures are involved.
The Director of First and Second Cycle Education or the Director of Third Cycle Education at the school and the relevant Programme Director should be informed of the action work and are responsible for ensuring that the action plans are followed up well before the course is given again to see if the planned measures have been taken or remain.
The development and follow-up of action plans, including the handling of measures that remain, are handled according to the respective school's procedures.