The purpose of an action plan is to organize and develop solutions to address a specific issue, challenge or problem. students should choose and issue or concern that they feel passionate about. Possible general topics include:
Keep in mind that these are general topics. Students will need to decide on a specific problem within the general topic they are interested in
Once students have decided on an issue they feel passionate about they need to evaluate the challenge in relation to five key areas:
a) Background refers to the history of the issue, including the cause and other individuals or problems trying to address the same problem. Some research will need to be done to understand the historical context.
b) Need relates to addresses the specifics of the issue. Essentially students asks, "What needs to happen to address this issue?"
c) Constraints are factors that keep people from solving the problem. Constraints might include a lack of money, time or people willing to address the issue
d) Resources available refers to a consideration of the resources that are currently accessible by the student
e) Resources needed relates to resources that will need to be searched for in order to tackle the issue
The Mission Statement aims to be a concise description of the purpose of the action plan. It does not try to establish specific tasks. The mission addresses the context and the purpose of addressing the issue.
The goals will explain the intended tasks that will be completed in order to fulfil the mission. Effective goals are action orientat, clear and reate directly to the problem. One way of checking that the goals are well established is to use the SMART formula:
Are the goals:
S - specific
M - measurable
A - achievable
R - realistic
T - time-bound?
Action steps are a realistic list of solutions and activities that will address the issue and help to achieve the goals. To set action steps consider the 5 background evaluation made earlier (need, constraints, resources available and resources needed) with respect to the identified issues
Students need to put together a written action plan to distribute to interested parties.
The action plan will need:
As students work through their action plan, they may find that their goals and plans change. It is important that students make noes of the changes they make and reflect on the cause and effect of the changes made. Reflection questions students may need to ask inclue:
The action plan will be presented to teachers for evaluation. The presentation will include:
Student also need to be able to verbally explain their action plan. They should be able to: