Role description Topic Owner

Summary
Description of the purpose, tasks and responsibilities of the Topic Owner

Purpose

A Topic Owner (TO) is responsible for the educational content of one or more units of learning outcomes and, in consultation with the relevant Programme Manager (CE), ensures the quality of the educational unit in terms of content, implementation frameworks and documentation. In addition, the TO is the point of contact for Teams implementing this unit.

Responsibilities/tasks

Implementation: The Topic Owner

  • is responsible for the content of one or more topics (EvLs). This means that, in consultation with the CE, he is responsible for the general content structure of the semester: themes, body of knowledge & skills, competences and further details of the exit level in accordance with the HBOi frameworks. To this end, he formulates the learning outcomes, is the owner of the master's course, and develops teaching material, workshops and other educational activities.
  • determines the content line with regard to cooperation with partners in the professional field and ensures that the role of partners is clear to the teams;
  • the topic owner is responsible for the content structure of the assessment in accordance with the Fontys ICT assessment policy;
  • is responsible for ensuring that continuous learning pathways (e.g. PO skills, self-regulation, research) are integrated in accordance with the CE's development assignment;
  • ensures correct registration in the Curriculum Management System (e.g. CDB) and up-to-date content in the study guide. The TO is responsible for providing information about the topic, e.g. during the Fontys ICT career event and open days;
  • ensures that the teams implementing the topic are aware of the content. Implementing teams can ask the TO for help with any problems during implementation;
  • ensures that the role of partners is clear to the implementing teams;
  • is responsible for the feasibility, organisability and studyability of the topic.

Change: The Topic Owner (TO)

  • is the project leader in programme development, puts together a development team to implement changes in accordance with the CE's development assignments;
  • participates in the WAC upon invitation and monitors the development of the topic's content. If necessary, a development proposal is made in consultation with the CE. In addition, he proposes changes through his involvement in educational evaluations;
  • coordinates with the location team if special facilities are required (labs, resources at ISSD, licences);
  • ensures the smooth transfer of educational development to the implementing teams.

Education: The Topic Owner

  • consults with CM on offering professional development activities if changes in the topic give cause to do so;
  • participates, under the supervision of CE, in an expertise group in which lecturers from the implementing teams can professionalise themselves, contribute ideas to developments and collaborate on educational development.

Decision-making: The Topic Owner

  • has independent responsibility and decision-making authority. The topic owner follows Fontys ICT policy and is accountable to the CE and, where applicable, to the CM. This includes the freedom to make choices and considerations;
  • is directly managed by the Programme Manager (CE). When matters are prescribed in accordance with the policy of Fontys University of Applied Sciences or Fontys ICT, the topic owner is informed of this by the CE. This allows for dialogue, joint coordination and situation-dependent reconsideration within the broader principles of policy choices. The topic owner is responsible. The CE is accountable;
  • consults with the relevant teaching teams and bodies such as the assessment committee and with educational specialists. These parties always have an advisory role, whether solicited or unsolicited. The topic owner consults with the Cluster Managers (CMs). This happens on demand, when either party feels that coordination is needed between content and implementation. All these parties are consulted or informed by the topic owner where relevant;
  • has the following crucial performance indicators: student satisfaction with the educational content and studyability, lecturer satisfaction with the canvas course and the feasibility of the education.

Contacts

  • CEs (accountable)
  • Educational specialists (consulted/informed)
  • Assessment committee (consulted/informed)
  • CM / Location Manager (LM) (consulted/informed)
  • Executive teams (consulted/informed)
  • Fellow topic owners (consulted/informed)