The Junior Cycle Business Studies course gives you an opportunity to showcase what you have learned in 2nd and 3rd years in the form of two Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs). This guide will break down CBA 2 and provide helpful tips and advice to ensure you are given the highest descriptor possible.
Guide
How to succeed in your Junior Cycle Business CBA 2
By Róisín Ní Dhonnagáin - 6 minute readRóisín Ní Dhonnagáin is an experienced business studies teacher and in this guide, she shares her tips for succeeding in your Junior Cycle Business Studies CBA 2.
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Introduction
Descriptors
Your CBA results will be added to your Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement alongside the grade you get in your exam at the end of 3rd year. Your teacher will use the Features of Quality to decide what descriptor you will be awarded:
Exceptional
The student communicates eloquently and confidently, displaying a very comprehensive knowledge of the topic and the presentation is very well-structured. The support material chosen displays creativity and is used very effectivity to captivate the audience. The student’s reflections on the topic are of excellent quality, demonstrating how the student’s point of view has developed or evolved over time.
Above expectations
The student communicates clearly, competently and with confidence, displaying a very good knowledge of the topic and the presentation is well-structured. The support material is well-chosen to interest the audience, displaying some creativity. The student’s reflections on the topic are of very good quality.
In line with expectations
The student communicates well, displaying a good knowledge of the topic but lacks some confidence and the presentation is unclear in places. The support material chosen is appropriate but not used to its full potential. The student displays an ability to reflect on their own perspective of the topic.
Yet to meet expectations
The student does not communicate clearly or confidently, displaying a very limited knowledge of the topic and the presentation lacks structure. The support material chosen is used in a basic manner. The student’s reflections on the topic are narrow and of poor quality.
CBA 2
CBA 2 will take place in December of 3rd Year over a period of 3 weeks. This CBA allows you to apply your knowledge and understanding to real-life settings and gives you the opportunity to develop your communication skills by presenting.
You are required to investigate and present your findings on a business-related topic. You can choose an issue of local or personal relevance as long as it relates to the business environment.
Topic ideas for your presentation
A field visit to a local enterprise (this can be a cultural, social or financial enterprise).
An investigation of a business-related story in the media.
Leaders in the Irish business field.
Consumerism.
An investigation of the impact of an organisation on a community (the impact could be positive, negative or both).
An investigation into a current economic issue.
Careers in business.
Successful Irish entrepreneurs.
Top tip
Choose a topic you have a genuine interest in as it will make researching and reflecting easier and more enjoyable.
The process
You will complete three areas of activity to generate your evidence of learning in your CBA 2.
Investigate
Once you have decided on your topic, you will have to undertake some of your own investigative work to find out more about it. As the topics are quite broad, you can focus on one specific area within it. In order to investigate your topic:
You must gather information from primary and/or secondary sources (like in CBA 1).
You can meet/interview a local entrepreneur or chairperson of a local enterprise.
You can research online.
Just like in CBA 1, you must keep a record of all your sources of information to assess their reliability.
Remember
Just as you would in a professional business environment, you are encouraged to view your topic from a range of different viewpoints
Reflect
After completing your investigative work, you are asked to evaluate what you have learned about the business environment and reflect on whether you see the world differently or if your behaviour has changed after engaging with your topic. In your reflection on learning, you should include:
An evaluation of the importance of the topic for personal, local, social or environmental relevance.
Your existing knowledge, understanding and ideas that are relevant to the chosen topic.
An explanation of different opinions related to the topic where you can.
A reflection on what you thought about the topic before the investigation and what you think about it now.
A reflection on how your behaviour or attitudes have changed as a result of investigating the topic.
Top tip
You should aim to develop a personal opinion in relation to the business-related topic and source your justification for this opinion in your original investigative work.
Communicate
In your presentation, you should discuss what you have learned about your topic in your own words. You can use different presentation tools or any graphical tools you feel you need to present.
Remember
Your presentation should be no longer than 3 minutes and your audience and teachers can ask questions during and after your presentation.
Your presentation
Structure
Your presentation should be structured as follows:
Provide a brief overview of your chosen topic.
Explain your interest in the topic and why you chose it.
Evaluate what you have learned.
Present your opinions with an explanation of how you came to those opinions.
Communicate using support materials such as a presentation, images, prompt notes and/or props.
Presentation dos and don'ts
Dos
Do practice your presentation regularly.
Do use flashcards with shortened notes.
Do use lots of visual aids in your presentation.
Do engage your audience and make eye contact.
Don'ts
Don't overload your slides with text. Keep them short and to the point.
Don't read directly from your flashcards.
Don't rush through your presentation. Take your time.
The Assessment Task
The Assessment Task is the final part of your CBA and is worth 10% of your final Junior Cycle Business Studies grade. It is based on your CBA 2 (presentation) and is submitted to the State Examinations Commission for correction along with your final examination. This task assesses your ability to:
Evaluate new knowledge or understanding that emerged during CBA 2.
Reflect on the skills that you have developed while completing CBA 2.
Reflect on how your opinions and values have been influenced through your experience with CBA 2.
Best of luck with your CBA! You'll be great.
By Róisín Ní Dhonnagáin
Róisín Ní Dhonnagáin is an experienced teacher of Business Studies.