Year 12 Business Technology
Course Description
Teacher in Charge: Ms J. Ah-Sam.
In Business Studies ākonga learn the fundamental concepts viable businesses use to make decisions and improve business operations over time to become sustainable and successful. Sustainability and success in business involves aspiring to meet the multiple bottom line: people, planet, profit, and purpose. Through innovation, informed decision-making, critical and creative problem-solving, effective communication, and whakawhanaungatanga, ākonga will understand how businesses balance and prioritise each aspect of the multiple bottom line in order to respond and adapt to internal and external factors.
By applying business knowledge and theory to practical, hands-on learning that draws from personal strengths and abilities, Business Studies aims to equip ākonga with essential life skills that foster an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset. Ākonga will build financial literacy, interpersonal skills, written and verbal communication, and resilience, as well as encouraging curiosity and creativity to find better ways of doing things for the benefit of all.
Businesses are about people, and whether they be the customers who generate profit or the employees who drive production, these stakeholders should be at the forefront of all business planning and decision-making. With this knowledge, ākonga will recognise how your businesses can contribute to the economic, social, environmental, and cultural wellbeing of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Course Overview
Term 1
Term 1 is divided into two parts:
Part 1 - Introduction to Business
This is an introduction to the foundational building blocks of the subject. The focus will be on information gathering from local and national business in Aotearoa will include innovation, entrepreneurship and emerging technologies; a business’ uptake - the different cultural perspective shapes their business values and exploring social enterprise.
Part 2 - Work ready
Reinforcing vital foundational knowledge, skills and understanding required to be productive within IT working life.
Learning covered and work produced contribute directly to the assessment of US29782 (Level 2: Knowledge of computing hardware, software and terminology to select digital tools for specified purposes) – five credits and US29769 (Level 2: Use the main features and functions of a word processing application for a purpose) – four credits.
Final submission of assessments due end of Week 8, Term 1.
Term 2
Term Two is divided into two parts:
Part 1 - Where is my market?
Ākonga conduct market research for a new or existing product. Ideally this research will feed into AS 90848.
Learning covered and work produced contribute directly to the assessment of AS90846 (Conduct market research for a new or existing product) – three credits, assessed externally.
No further assessment opportunities available for this unit. Final submission of assessment due end of Week 8, Term 2.
Part 2 - It's business time! (Part I)
Ākonga will work in groups (or individually), to come up with a business idea for a new product or service that results in a positive change for society and bring this business idea to market.
There are four specific elements to be completed this term:
(a) Ideation – how entrepreneurs come up with business ideas.
(b) Business functions – planning how you will bring your business idea to market by planning your business operations.
(c) Business execution 1 – bringing your business idea to market by manufacturing, marketing and selling your good/service over a period of time.
(d) Evaluation 1 – upon initial completion of your business activity, you will review the business by choosing a single business function, reflecting on how successfully the business function operated. You will propose innovative changes to the function.
Learning covered and work produced as part of this project contribute directly to the assessment of AS90848 (Carry out, review and refine a business activity within a community context with guidance) – nine credits, assessed internally.
No further assessment opportunities available for this unit. Final submission of assessment due end of Week 8, Term 3.
Term 3
It is business time!
Ākonga will work in groups (or individually), to come up with a business idea for a new product or service that results in a positive change for society and bring this business idea to market.
There are three specific elements to be completed this term:
(e) Contemporary issues – creating a “Contemporary Issues” Portfolio that explores how businesses respond and adapt to external contemporary issues.
(f) Business execution 2 – based on your evaluation and proposed innovative changes, you implement these changes into the manufacturing, marketing and selling your good/service over a period of time.
(g) Evaluation 2 – upon the second completion of your business activity, you will review the business by choosing a single business function, reflecting on how successfully your chosen business function operated based on the changes you implemented. You will propose further innovative changes to the function, contemplating partnerships with local iwi; evaluating how your proposed changes will strengthen the operations of the business for the future and contributing to society in a positive way.
Learning covered and work produced as part of this project contribute directly to the assessment of AS90848 (Carry out, review and refine a business activity within a community context with guidance) – nine credits, assessed internally.
No further assessment opportunities available for this unit. Final submission of assessment due end of Week 8, Term 3.
Term 4
Working Life Skills
Continuing from Term 1 to reinforce vital foundational knowledge, skills and understanding required to be productive within IT working life.
Learning covered and work produced contribute directly to the assessment of US29770 (Level 2: Use of the main features and functions of a spreadsheet for a purpose) – four credits and US29771 (Level 2: Use the main features and functions of a presentation application for a purpose) – two credits.
Final submission of assessments due end of Week 4, Term 4.
Recommended Prior Learning
PREREQUISITES
Ākonga of Business Technologies:
Have a passion for commerce and business.
Considering running their own business in the future.
Keep up to date with current business events occurring locally, nationally, and internationally.
Read widely to support their subject understanding and knowledge.
Can manage their own online diary/scheduling to meet deadlines.
Can manage their own file management structure – both online and personal/school computers.
Can work independently both in-class and in own time.
Can confidently seek help when needing further guidance/support.
EQUIPMENT
Pencil case containing pens – 1x red, 1x blue, 1x black; pencil; eraser; ruler; highlighters (3 min)
Refill pad /folder OR exercise book for notetaking
Diary OR Student Planner
Chromebook – as a minimum. Preferable is a laptop with a minimum of 4GB RAM; 128GB memory, internet capability to connect to School portal to run MS Office suite; mouse (USB or Bluetooth)
USB Flash drive – 128GB is sufficient.
COSTS
There will be visits to businesses throughout the year, which may incur some costs. More information about this will be provided nearer to the time, once confirmed.
Pathway
Business Studies provides ākonga with a wealth of transferable skills and knowledge that they can apply to any career path they desire. While business theory is certainly an important aspect of the subject, it is the tangible skills and application of business concepts that will be the primary focus.
Whether it is the financial literacy developed when engaging in the monetary responsibilities of a business or the interpersonal skills fostered through stakeholder relationships and business culture, this subject aims to equip ākonga with the tools necessary succeed within the world of work. They will be encouraged to aim high, think outside the box, persevere, take informed risks, and have confidence in themselves and their business ideas to become entrepreneurs and business owners. However, even if their study or career aspirations lead them away from the field of business, they will still have developed abilities and competencies to help them navigate their professional lives with greater confidence and resilience.
Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
This course is approved for University Entrance.
External
NZQA Info
Use the main features and functions of a word processing application for a purpose
NZQA Info
Use the main features and functions of a spreadsheet application for a purpose
NZQA Info
Use the main features and functions of a presentation application for a purpose
NZQA Info
Demonstrate knowledge of computing hardware, software and terminology to select digital tools for specified purposes
NZQA Info
Business Studies 2.4 - Conduct market research for a new or existing product
NZQA Info
Business Studies 2.6 - Carry out, review and refine a business activity within a community context with guidance
Pathway Tags
Animator/Digital Artist, Sales Representative, Office Administrator, Receptionist, Advertising Specialist, Copywriter, Sales and Marketing Manager, Survey Technician, Personal Trainer/Exercise Professional, Agricultural/Horticultural Scientist, Agricultural Technician, Agricultural/Horticultural Consultant, Mechanical Engineering Technician, Product Assembler, Accounts Officer, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Civil Engineer, Quantity Surveyor, Economist, Game Developer, Payroll Officer, Management Consultant, Data Analyst, Cook, Mining Engineer, Accountant, Auditor, Actuary, Finance Manager, Retail Manager, Statistician, Baker, Hotel/Motel Manager, Cafe Worker, Debt Collector, Property Manager, Butcher, Waiter/Waitress, Cafe/Restaurant Manager, Urban/Regional Planner, Kitchenhand, Chef, Elected Government Representative,