There is no 'best' method of teaching Leaving Certificate Business. Since students learn in different ways it is important to provide for a range of learning styles which illustrate the dynamic nature of the syllabus. Since the emphasis has changed to a more vocational and enterprise orientation, the teaching methodologies should reflect this emphasis and the syllabus should be taught in a more active way. The new Business syllabus is divided into seven units and it is recommended that the teachers adopt an integrated approach to the teaching of the syllabus. The course committee also feel that students should consider the overall patterns and the interrelationships between units of the new syllabus.
The Business teacher should employ a range of teaching strategies in response to theneeds of individual students, and, the delivery of the subject, should where possible reflect the dynamic nature of business. It should be noted that the syllabus structure does not imply a definitive teaching order; teaching strategies should reflect the aims, objectives and learning outcomes of the syllabus. The emphasis should be on the active involvement of students in the learning process wherever possible. This approach was reflected in the consultation process and other characteristics of this approach could include:
- building on existing business information of the student
- emphasising an enterprising approach to the learning of Business
- providing confidence building in practical areas of the course
- providing opportunities for developing associated business skills including setting aims and objectives, investigation and research, discussing and asking questions collecting, selecting, organising, presenting, analysing and evaluating information. (writing reports)
The consultation process with business teachers and other interested parties has highlighted the importance of providing students with opportunities to develop their communication and enterprise skills and of studying the environment in which business operates today.
This section will be developed during the programme of in-career training forteachers.