GCSE Business & Economics for 2009
The awarding bodies have now unveiled draft versions of the new specifications for the start of teaching in September 2009. On 3 July 08 the awarding bodies set out their wares for GCSE Business & Economics at an EBEA event in London. These have not yet been officially accredited by QCA but we can be sure that they provide the broad framework for the changes that are coming.
Edexcel have built on the experience of their popular pilot GCSE Business course which has been running for the past two years. The new course is not identical to it, but is broadly similar in scope and focus. This has a Business & Economics option which retains many close links to the current Business & Economics (Nuffield) course. It is based on the fundamental ethos of the Nuffield course as it has developed over the past twelve years.
To access the specifications, specimen assessment materials and mark schemes, go to http://www.edexcel.com/gcse2009/business/business/Pages/Overview.aspx.
The Edexcel course
The first year of the Edexcel GCSE course, Units 1 and 2, focus on the student and explore the requirements of a successful business start-up. Students need to develop a good knowledge of the target market, the competition within it, and current prices in relation to that market. The amount of terminology required has been reduced in favour of a deeper understanding of the relevant concepts (including supply and demand).
In the second year of the Edexcel GCSE course, Unit 5 ‘Introduction to Economic Understanding’ provides the joint subject option. This is almost all based on elements of the existing Business and Economics (Nuffield) course. It emphasises the need to think like an economist. The joint subject approach is maintained by the inclusion of a range of business concepts. There is considerable scope for the use of interesting activities in the classroom.
Edexcel assessment
Assessment is untiered, with purposely accessible questions throughout. Unit 1 is assessed by multiple-choice and objective test questions. Unit 2 has controlled assessment tasks. The Unit 5 paper includes multiple-choice, short-answer, extended writing, and scenario-based questions.
Coursework as we know it is being replaced for all subjects by Controlled Assessment. QCA is still working on the fine detail of this but we know that, across the board, controlled assessment will count for 25% of marks gained.
The emphasis will be on investigation and research. Students will spend a maximum of six hours on information and data collection. Teachers will have a degree of control over this. The evidence collected will go into a research folder that will be kept secure by the teacher. Writing up will take a maximum of three hours, under the teacher’s supervision. Students will have access to their folders during that time. Students will choose one of the five tasks set by Edexcel. Teachers will mark the work and there will be external moderation.
Further information
We will be providing more information over the next few weeks, including useful resources that are already available. Watch this space for more detail and news as it breaks.
November 2008 update Here is the Edexcel webpage with information about their plans http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gcse/gcse09/Business/Business/Pages/default.aspx
Nancy Wall