This section looks at some pointers for consideration at the planning stage. Who are our students? Do they have any particular anxieties or concerns about their learning or participation on a programme? What, or who, motivates our students? Is there anything we can do as tutors to foresee the needs of our student population? Should we involve our learners in the course design and development process? How do we do this? How do we know exactly what students need? How do we anticipate and plan for support activities?

Knowing as much as possible about our learners and their aims and needs is central to good programme design and planning. Consultation and collaboration with the key stakeholders promotes a sense of partnership and inclusion. Course feedback suggests that a sense of ownership and involvement by participants is a key ingredient in the success of a programme.

Education providers are required to balance the learning needs of students while also fulfilling the requirements of funding bodies, or state agencies and accrediting bodies. It is necessary to be mindful of the key stakeholders at each stage of the course and match their requirements with the resources and capabilities of the course provider.