Administration & IT

Course Overview

National 4/5 Administration and IT will build the skills and knowledge that would be used by decision makers or for supporting management in organisations. This course will be aimed at students attaining the National 5 qualification but will allow students to achieve at National 4 depending on their individual ability. 

This course develops real life skills that are essential in every workplace by offering engaging, motivating and relevant learning experiences through a range of theory and practical activities relevant to the world of work. 

Coursework will involve you learning to gather information and use technology to prepare, present and communicate your findings effectively and professionally. This will include understanding how modern technologies – web conferencing, blogging and social networking have impacted on the modern workplace. Emerging technologies will be incorporated so as to ensure that the course content remains current. 

Administrative Practices Unit: Learners will develop an understanding of key legislation affecting both organisations and employees, the benefits to organisations of good customer care and the skills, qualities and attributes required of administrators. The unit will also allow them to apply this understanding in carrying out a range of administrative tasks required for organising and supproting events.

IT Solutions for Administration Unit: The purpose of the unit is to develop learners' skills in IT, problem solving and organising and managing information to complete business tasks. Learners will use IT applications to create and edit business documents and it will allow for emerging technologies to be incorporated so as to ensure that its content remains current and relevant. You will undertake organisational tasks that would be required to support small scale projects and events.

Communication in Administration Unit: Learners will use IT for gathering and sharing information with others in administration-related contexts. They will develop an understanding of what constitutes a reliable source of information and an ability to identify and use the most appropriate methods for gathering information. They will also become able to communicate information in the most effective, efficient and appropriate manner. 

Learning and Teaching Approaches

Administration lessons are varied and will include activities such as: 

• Word Processing, creating and editing Spreadsheets and Databases, using Publisher to create brochures, business cards and certificates and Power Point Presentations – working through a series of booklets. 

• You will also be learning about the theoretical side of working in business. 

A profile will be kept of your performance in class work, homework and assessments. This will let you keep a record of the areas you are doing well in, as well as setting yourself targets to help you improve as you work through the course.

Homework

You will receive homework on a regular basis. This might involve finishing off class work or revising for assessments. 

Assessment Approaches

Course assessment at National 4:

• Internally assessed with no external exam

Course assessment at National 5:

• Assignment – 70 marks (58%) 

• Question Paper: 50 marks (42%)