From the non-technical explanation I received, it's the same actor.

Yea - I'll repeat our conversation for others - the site will be updated soon so a to handle searching for grammar on both the kanji, hiragana, or a mix of both. Thanks for pointing it out.

Hmm - how would you suggest writing the definition for the second usage?

The first example is using うえ to mean 'above', and the second one is the じょう form of it. I was looking more for a good way to describe the sentence + 上 + の + Noun + ActionB (although I bet it's always た form before the 上) in english, in the way that the current meaning is First A (is done), then B. I'll keep thinking on it. I have an idea, but the site currently (I need to fix this) doesn't have a way of writing out that construction pattern (it's a bit complex as to why).

(Apologies for the late response)

I've looked in a few books that I have, but haven't been able to find any definitions that match what you have. That's not to say I don't think it's correct, just that I haven't been able to find anything backing that up.

If you have some time, I'd recommend reposting it in the site's general forums, asking to see if anyone else knows about it (they're viewed more often than these are). If we can get some consensus then we can definitely add it to this page!

I will follow up on this with a Japanese 国語 teacher and see what they say.

Alright, verified everything with a professor and updated the page!

I just wanted to say that when 上で is used as ”in order to” the sentence that follows does not have to be an action but, a statement like ”Doing such and such is useful/convenient/good" or "it is like the doctor/bookclet/etc. instructions". You cannot use 上で as ために. I was taught this by my Japanese teacher. I am sorry I was not able to explain it better to you. I will list here some of the sentence posted by the other users which are correct: 民権の上で有権者権法は重要な一歩だった。 テレビは外国語の勉強の上でかなり役に立ちます。 I'm not sure about the one where つもり is used but I am sure these ones are corrected.

Ok I will =) I hope these notes will help.

I'm doing a bit of reading in the A Dictionary of Intermediate Grammar (wonderful), and it expands on what your teacher said, just a bit.

a - The second part does not need a decision to made, simply an action to follow the preparatory action. It does say that the main action is relatively important, but it doesn't have to be a decision.

So it gives two examples, one with is not ok, one which is. 

彼は必ず翌日の予定表を調べたうえで床につく。He always goes to bed after looking at the following day's schedule.
> This one IS valid, and also represents a habitual action. It shows the schedule check as being preparation for going to bed. (and therefore facing the new day).

彼は必ずシャワーを浴びたうえで寝る。 He always takes a shower before going to bed.
> This one is not valid, as it supposedly lacks the sense of preparation.

So it sounds like your teacher's explanation is a bit too restrictive, as it can certainly show an action that is not an outright decision. I would personally say (and I checked with someone else who said it was ok) that brushing your teeth so you don't have bad breath is considered preparation for going to a social gathering (school).

Hope this helps!

I definitely know that strategy. I often tell me students that this is the main definition, or this is the case 95% of the time, and that they only need to worry about this def now.