Qualifications: GCSE

Syllabus: AQA 3126 Business and Communications Systems

 

COURSE CONTENT

 

This course involves six units:

 

Unit 1: Business Environment

Unit 2: Workplace Organisation

Unit 3: Human Resources

Unit 4: Communications

Unit 5: The use of ICT in the Business Environment

Unit 6: Computer Applications in Business Environment

 

OVERALL AIMS

 

To give the pupils:

 

1 Knowledge and broad understanding of aspects of workplace organisation and the business environment.

2 Knowledge and broad understanding of range of information and communication systems and their applications in the workplace and an understanding of their capabilities and limitations.

3 The ability to choose, design and use information and communication systems to carry out a range of tasks and solve business problems in a variety of contexts, e.g. communicating with customers and suppliers, storing and processing financial data, storing data about staff and existing and potential customers.

4 Communication skills, by composing, in good English, appropriate and coherent responses to business problems from given outline information.

5 Capacity for making reasoned judgements about the selection, presentation and interpretation of data so as to ensure the effective communication of information.

6 Awareness of the importance of layout and design in the workplace and their implications for health and safety.

7 The opportunity to demonstrate their skills in using information and communication systems to carry out tasks and solve problems under examination conditions.

 

TEACHING STRATEGIES

 

Practical

 

Due to the nature of the course individual pupil work at the computer is the main strategy implemented. The teacher uses a whole class approach when he/she is introducing a new topic. For demonstration purposes he/she uses RM Tutor that allows them to take control of the pupils’ individual computers. Through the RM Tutor facility the teacher can also monitor an individual pupil’s work at any time.

 

Theory

 

A number of the following teaching strategies can be implemented where the individual teacher feels appropriate:

 

Whole class teaching

Individual work

Group work

Teacher demonstration using RM Tutor

Class discussion

 

Time allocated

 

3 X 100 minute lessons fortnightly

 

Assessment

 

Students may be entered for foundation or higher level for this course depending on progress throughout the course.

Higher: Grades A* to D

Foundation: Grades C to G

 

Examination

 

Theory paper 1 hour 33% of the final mark

Practical paper 2 hours 67% of the final mark

 

Text book (available to students at school)

Workbook (Homework)

 

GCSE Business and Communication Systems – The Workbook, CGP Books

 

Miss Bala (VBA) - Head of Department v.bala@passmores.essex.sch.uk

 

Miss Barry (MBY) - Teacher of Business Studies m.barry@passmores.essex.sch.uk