If you’re looking for new materials to teach an introductory business and technology course, you may be overwhelmed by the number of options out there. When teaching such a foundational course, it’s crucial to choose the right curriculum for your students–one that will prepare them both for more advanced coursework and their future careers.
But how do you know if a business and technology curriculum is appropriate for your students? How can you be sure that you are providing your students with business education curriculum resources that are engaging and meet your standards?
You may have heard of Apex Learning, a well-known provider of CTE curriculum options for teachers and students. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Apex Learning’s Introduction to Business and Technology course to help you decide if it’s the best fit for your classroom.
In this article, you’ll find answers to these specific questions about the Apex Learning course:
- What is Apex Learning?
- What Content Does the Apex Learning Introduction to Business and Technology Course Include?
- How is the Apex Learning Curriculum Structured?
- What Standards and Certifications Can I Meet with Apex Learning?
- How Much Does Apex Learning Cost?
- Who is the Apex Learning Introduction to Business and Technology Course For?
When you’ve finished reading this article, you’ll have a better understanding of the Introduction to Business and Technology course and the type of classroom it’s a good fit for.
What is Apex Learning?
Apex Learning is a notable provider of digital curriculum for students in career and technical education pathways. Whereas some curriculum providers offer a system of materials that can be used for multiple courses, Apex Learning focuses on providing high-quality courses that teach an individual subject.
Introduction to Business and Technology is one of many different courses Apex Learning offers to fill specific needs within a CTE program.
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Introduction to Business and Technology is a popular foundational course for students pursuing a business or technology curriculum. Since many teachers use business and technology classes to cover the basics in both subjects, it can be a starting point for students who plan to pursue a career in either area or both.
Apex Learning recommends their course as a core curriculum option for students in these two pathways:
- Business, Management, and Administration
- Information Technology
The course includes content in business communication, finance, and technological systems, so students will receive a solid introduction to each of these essential aspects of the business world.
In addition, the Introduction to Business and Technology course fills two semesters. With this curriculum, you’ll have plenty of material to keep your high school business students occupied for an entire academic year.
How is the Apex Learning Curriculum Structured?
Apex Learning structures the Introduction to Business and Technology class around ten overarching units. Each unit includes several lessons where students learn most of the course concepts.
After each unit, a wrap-up lesson reviews the content students have learned. The fifth and tenth units summarize all of the content students have learned in a semester and are great for preparing students for final exams and certification tests.
The ten units in the Apex Learning Curriculum include:
- Understanding Business Careers
- Communicating Through Letters and Emails
- Communicating Through Formal Business Documents
- Communicating Through Presentations
- Introduction to Business and Technology Semester 1 Wrap-Up
- Finance, Spreadsheets, and Databases
- Business Marketing
- Information Technology, Systems, and Networking
- Exploring the Web
- Introduction to Business and Technology Semester 2 Wrap-Up
The course is structured so students receive more foundational material in the earlier units. In contrast, the later units introduce students to subjects they may want to take entire classes on later in high school.
Since the first semester units focus entirely on business careers and communications, you could use these units to teach a standalone course on just these subjects.
By contrast, the second semester units each concern a different business and technology subject. These materials more directly prepare learners for additional coursework, and potentially business and computer applications certifications.
However, most teachers will want to teach the whole course to best meet course standards for business and technology.
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Apex Learning designed the Introduction to Business and Technology course to meet state and national standards. Since each state has its own standards related to high school business courses, you should check with Apex Learning directly to ensure the class meets requirements in your area.
In addition to these academic standards, this course can also prep learners for related certifications in business and computer applications. Apex Learning highlights two particular credentials Introduction to Business and Technology prepares students well for: the Microsoft Office Specialist certifications and the IC3 certification.
The Microsoft Office Specialist certifications—sometimes called the MOS certifications—test students' fluency in the Microsoft Office suite of applications. Through a series of tests, students can be certified in applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
The IC3 Digital Literacy Certification is an internationally recognized benchmark of a student’s understanding of computer systems, including hardware, software, firmware, networking, and computer literacy.
How Much Does Apex Learning's Introduction to Business and Technology Cost?-jpg.jpg)
Apex Learning prices each course individually, but doesn’t disclose specific pricing for Introduction to Business and Technology.
To receive the most accurate information about how much the Introduction to Business and Technology curriculum would cost for your classroom or institution, you’ll have to contact their sales team directly.
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With the Introduction to Business and Technology course, Apex Learning provides a quality digital curriculum option for teachers and students.
If Business and Technology is one of the core courses in your program, there is a lot to like about the Apex Learning course. Since it covers a whole year’s worth of material, it’s a solid choice for teachers who need content in areas like communication, finance, marketing, and computer technology.
As a standards-aligned program, it covers all of the basics and helps students prepare for certifications like MOS and IC3. If you’re covering the topics in the curriculum and preparing students for one of these certifications, this course could be a good option for you.
However, as a single standalone course, you’ll have to decide for yourself how Introduction to Business and Technology fits into your overall business education pathway. If you want your business courses to work together as a system that you can use throughout your instructional path, you may want to consider a more comprehensive solution.
Consider Your Entire Business Education Pathway
Apex Learning’s Introduction to Business and Technology course is a reliable choice for educators looking to cover just this one core class. It’s a complete course package that will meet your standards and put your students on the path to success.
However, many teachers are not just looking for a curriculum to teach this one course. They’re searching for a comprehensive curriculum solution that will work across their entire instructional pathway to help better engage their students.
If you’re looking for a complete business education solution that uses the same framework to teach students in multiple courses, consider Business&ITCenter21 from AES.
Business&ITCenter21 is a comprehensive curriculum system designed to provide an engaging learning experience for students while preparing them for certifications and career choices.
To learn more about how Business&ITCenter21 could work to meet your standards in multiple classes, read about What Business Courses Can I Teach with AES?
