The primary purpose of Business, Marketing, and Diversified Occupations education is to provide instruction for and about business and information technology. Business and information technology education prepares learners to make wise personal economic and career choices while developing knowledge/understandings, skills, and attitudes necessary to succeed in a global workforce. Business education and technology courses provide the impetus for students to successfully complete college programs in one of several areas of business and/or information technology.
The multifaceted discipline of business education should include subject areas which focus on the functional areas of business (management, marketing, finance, accounting, entrepreneurship), on factors which affect business (economics, international business, business law), and on the examination of business from different perspectives world-wide and otherwise.
An important component of Business, Marketing, and Diversified Occupations education is information technology. In this critical area, students learn to use computers as tools in conjunction with related software. Technology enables students to learn in ways never before possible. Using technology, students learn to make decisions; to access, store, and retrieve information and data in a category driven way; to develop a global perspective and understanding; to research topics and information using libraries and other sources around the world; and to produce professional documents. Students also learn that business can be driven by communication via technology. Furthermore, becoming highly competent users of technology enables students to succeed in all of their curricular areas and as a private citizen.
Through participation in FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and DECA (An Association of Marketing Students), students can apply the knowledge that they have acquired in the classroom to real-world situations. The results of their efforts are realized both immediately and throughout their lives.
Strong business and information technology education programs are responsive to shifting educational and instructional paradigms. Those include: global interaction and commerce, changing technology, changing demographics, the economy, political developments, and resulting local education policies and practices.
Instruction in economics education, keyboarding, computer applications, and business career exploration are now taught in some schools at the elementary and middle schools levels. Secondary level business and information technology programs should serve a broad, accelerated learner base through 21st century, global programs for all students.
Inclusiveness of all populations is an important part and obligation of the business education curriculum. The economic consequences of preparation affect both consumption and life-work decisions. Leadership, teamwork, and interpersonal skills, as well as effective communication as writers, listeners, and speakers are necessary to function in social, industrial, and business settings.
Business education and information technology students use technology, multimedia computing, local and worldwide networks, and interactive systems in the instructional process. Selecting and applying the tools of technology as they relate to personal and business decision-making are critical to success in all areas.
In sum, in a dynamic environment, business, and information technology education is guided by a global vision, recognizing business as an essential component of curriculum involving all learners in real-life applications of learning. The specific instructional contexts, content, and teaching resources used for student learning are designed for diverse audiences using constantly evolving technology.
