Section heading: Post-16 resources Global Learner

Teaching Business & Economics, Summer 2003 by Frater, Glynis

Section heading: post-16 resources Global Learner, Christian Aid, 2003, resource pack, L19.99, Tel 020 7523 2229

In its introduction the resource describes its aims as meeting some of the needs of teachers of AVCE subjects as well as those of RE teachers and those involved in citizenship education. More specifically the resource aims to provide a chance for the learner to think independently about human rights, ethics and the issues of justice and fairness and how all of these relate to the subjects being studied.

The concepts and values are set out in the form of short and easily read case studies. There are activities based around them and other wider issues. The subject matter dealt with is important and most certainly should be an intrinsic part of any young person's wider personal and social development. From a business point of view each of the examples used is of a micro business where the issues of fair trade and majority/third world poverty are explored. This exploration considers individuals or small traders and how these might benefit from an increased awareness of the importance of selling more of these products in large and small enterprises in the developed world for a fair price.

Activities and opportunities for further research are generated out of the issues that are described in each of the case studies. Students are encouraged to research for further information to inform discussion and to help them to construct arguments for and against decisions made.

There are many opportunities here for the development of the wider key skills of working with others, problem solving, and communication. There are also good opportunities here for students to be able to practise skills in the gathering of information that can be used to inform discussion, or allow for analytical and constructive dialogue or prose.

The issues raised clearly have an impact on the question of ethical business; something that exercises the minds of those charged with balancing profitability with sustainability and the needs of those who are exploited and still live in poverty. There are many opportunities to use this resource to develop an awareness of these issues using the arguments to provide a platform for students to grasp more fundamental business concepts.

This resource will not provide teachers with material that will guide students towards the production of relevant evidence to meet the demands of the portfolio driven unit specifications of the Business AVCE. The case studies look at individuals and small case scenarios that provide insufficient information to develop the kind of evidence required to meet the AVCE criteria.

The concepts of marketing, production, stakeholders and competition are all visited here. Using this as a starting point could help to develop a broad understanding of business principles and may help students to develop good analytical and evaluative skills that will be invaluable in the development of their AVCE evidence in the future.

This is an interesting resource that has some good opportunities for teachers of RE, citizenship, key skills and PSHE to provide activities and discussion forums that should produce lively results. It also encourages independent research and personal reflection on some of the pressing issues relating to ethical and social responsibility that can be used effectively in the development of good business argument. It would be a useful resource to have as a tool for the development of the wider skills that are often those that enhance a students ability to achieve to a higher level. It is not, however, a relevant resource to use as a means of helping the student towards developing specific portfolio evidence.

Glynis Prater, Vocational Education Specialist.