AQA AS BUSINESS STUDIES

Teaching Business & Economics, Spring 2005 by Krishnamma, Indira

AQA AS BUSINESS STUDIES by John Wolinski and Gwen Coates; A 460 page, full colour text Price £15.95; ISBN O 86003 753 3

CONTENT

The structure of this book mirrors the content and sequence of the AQA AS Business Studies syllabus, each of the 3 modules being clearly signposted in the contents. The books section titles are also taken from the syllabus, making it easy for teachers to use to help deliver this course (e.g. for Module 1 'Marketing and Accounting and Finance', the marketing component is subsectioned into 'Market Analysis, Marketing Strategy, and Marketing Planning). Each section contains plenty of opportunity for teachers or pupils to check learning by means of practice questions requiring a range of level of response. There are also many up-to-date case studies with questions phrased in the style of the AQA AS exam and based on its format and timings. There are the standard sections on how to use the book and assessment (although this doesn't offer us any more help than the existing texts on exam preparation and technique).

FEATURES

The design should appeal to AS candidates, being full colour and filled with photographs of people, products and places that many of them will know and to which they will be able to relate. There are numerous tables, graphs and diagrams e.g. 'Business cycles in the U.K., 1950-2002', and the text is presented in short sub-headed chunks suitable for the typical AS student to read.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS BOOK ARE:

* 'Key terms' and definitions are clearly emphasised. (These are useful although the brevity of them means that some omit significant detail e.g. consultation is defined as 'asking employees for their views on various issues that will affect them and the business'.

* 'Did you know?' questions are posed to aid understanding e.g. 'Programmes such as Coronation Street and Emmerdale gained the nickname 'soaps' because traditionally they were watched by housewives, who made the decision on which soap powder the family should use. As a result, the advertising slots during these programmes became the most popular times for companies that wanted to advertise their soap'.

* 'Examiners voice' exam tips and ideas are highlighted e.g. 'Avoid bullet points in the examination. They encourage brief explanations rather than detailed analysis'.

* 'Factfiles' present current business examples e.g. business aspects of The Glastonbury Festival.

* Bullet points are utilised heavily throughout.

USER FRIENDLINESS

Overall, the text is concise and it is easy to locate specific topic areas. The indexing is particularly helpful, with the most significant page reference being emboldened in claret to avoid your having to wade your way through several pages before finding the substantial content.

HOW IT MIGHT BE USED

My AS students would like this book. It is smaller than some of its major competitors, making it easier to carry around in a rucksack and its use of colour and visuals should also appeal. It is useful for both quick reference and longer reading activities. You could use it either as your set text or for your shelf as a source of some of the most up-to-date examples and questions available.

SHOULD YOU BUY THIS BOOK?

Yes, if:

* You are looking for an alternative set text to use with candidates studying the AQA syllabus

* You teach the AQA AS syllabus

* You teach any other AS syllabus and would welcome additional and current examples to enliven your business classes

* You want some extra material for AS exam practice

No, if:

* You don't teach the AQA specification and are an experienced teacher with a plentiful supply of up-to-date business stories and AS practice material!

This is a good value text that I will be making much use of.

Indira Krishnamma

Programme Area Leader (and AS/A2 Business Studies Course Leader)

City of Bath College