GNVQ Intermediate business

GNVQ Intermediate Business, Carol Carysforth & Mike Neild, Heinemann, 2000, paperback, 410 pages, without options 13.50, with Edexcel options, 15.50, ISBN 0-435-- 45602-4, tel. 01865 888058

This covers the compulsory and optional units. There is no guide on how to use the book and at first I was a little lost. Perhaps I was expecting to see the previously familiar format of gathering evidence for a portfolio on most pages. Instead I found a fair amount of text, e.g. Unit 1.1, 7 pages, before an activity. I did find the 'Snapshot' interesting but I expected there to be some form of self-assessment to accompany it. Instead its purpose is to give a real-life example/ application of the theory discussed above.

The case studies provided the substance and assessment I was looking for. However it did not explain that this would need to be used for any assignment/portfolio work. The section at the end of Unit 1, 'Bringing it all together -- producing a case study', was extremely useful - but it seemed out of place there at the end of the unit. If I were a student at Intermediate level I think I would have preferred to know this at the beginning of the course. However if a tutor knows this in advance there is nothing to stop their directing the students to this section first. It does contain all a student needs, with very good guidance on what is expected of them and how to achieve it. However, there was no mention of key skills at all, despite a section on how to give a good presentation.

I particularly liked the practical examples, (with answers at the back of the book) for the finance unit. No stone was left unturned! I also found the Unit 6, Consumer protection, coverage fantastic. Aspects of law were introduced and developed in a clear and concise manner. The lack of colour does not detract from the pleasing layout. With two columns to a page, use of bullets, a few photos and some shading the text is not overwhelming. I was unsure of the attractiveness of some of the 'hand drawn' images. I don't know how impressed my students would be, or how they enhanced the learning. Some were pointless.

I would recommend this book for the delivery of the Intermediate course. However tutors may like to go through the unit on making a portfolio first, so that the student really does know how to make the most of the book. It covers the content in a way that would be comfortable for a student to go through. More able students would really enjoy the Snapshots for an added dimension to the subject content.

Copyright Economics and Business Education Association Summer 2001
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