Introduction:
Modelling Relationships and Controlling Events

During this case study, you will discuss and develop your skills in using ICT in teaching and learning to do the following:

• Use ICT to model relationships and control events - this is specific to this case study.

Plus you will develop your ability to:

• Plan for the effective use of ICT.
• Organise classroom use of ICT.
• Prepare and present materials for learners using ICT.
• Use the functions of ICT and understand its limitations.
• Review and evaluate courseware and software.
• Relate the use of ICT to learners' needs.
• Develop your learners' subject based learning using ICT.
• Assess your learners' progress in Business Studies as a result of using ICT.
• Help develop your learners' capability in the use of ICT.
• Help your learners develop within the IT curriculum.

The first of these objectives is specific to this case study, and represents the core of what the case study is about. The other objectives are common to all three of the case studies in Business Studies, and represent the application of your understanding of ICT to teaching and learning.

Before we get in detail to the case study, we should look more closely at what is meant by modelling relationships and controlling events in it. Specifically, the case study will consider the importance of the following in the use of ICT in teaching and learning:

• Exploring alternatives and modeling relationships - here we shall look at the Bized site's Virtual Economy and Virtual Factory, the former showing how we can change features in an economy to see what happens.
• Understanding patterns, rules and hypotheses - this will be seen in providing pupils with methods for thinking about how the variables in the economy impact upon each other and upon the performance of the economy as a whole.
• Giving and understanding instructions with defined conditions and sequenced actions - this will be seen in the way you decide to instruct pupils on the use of the Virtual Economy, and in the way you want to use the Virtual Factory.
• Understanding and responding to feedback - this will be seen in the way the pupils use the worksheets in the Virtual Factory to develop their own understanding of the performance of a business.

Part 1: Preparing to Use ICT in Teaching