Stapenhill Post-16 Centre
OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT
Unit 1: Digital Business Communication
OCR Level 3
Nationals in ICT
Unit 1
Digital Business Communication
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Stapenhill Post-16 Centre
OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT
Unit 1: Digital Business Communication
Unit 1 – Digital Business Communication
1. Learning outcomes
This unit is made up of seven Assignment Objectives.
On completion of these Assignments you should be able to:
1) Investigate the role and contribution of communication technology to
business
2) Explain the aids and barriers to effective communication
3) Design and create a presentation style for use in business documents
4) Demonstrate the effective use of written communication using ICT in a
business context
5) Demonstrate the effective use of email in a business context
6) Demonstrate an understanding of document and computer security in the
workplace
7) Use standard ways of working to work safely, keep information secure and
manage personal information
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Stapenhill Post-16 Centre
OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT
Unit 1: Digital Business Communication
Scenario – Keele Sixth Form Centre
You have been employed to assist with the introduction of a new
communication system within the Sixth Form Centre. The Centre has decided
it needs to develop a clear understanding of the way they should use Digital
Communication to make their work more productive and efficient.
The Centre currently does not have a coherent system and so there are some
areas where the communication is unclear. The Centre sends a large amount
of information to outside agencies (such as other businesses, as well as
students’ homes) and their communication therefore needs to be very clear.
The aspects of the Centre’s communication that are the highest priority are:
1. Developing and using a consistent style through the use of templates
2. Developing the a clear Health & Safety Policy in terms of the use of ICT
within the Centre Record
3. Using the templates to produce a sample set of documentation for the
Centre.
Initially you will produce an electronic presentation about the role of
communication technology within the Centre, and the aids and barriers to that
communication.
The Centre is based at:
Keele Sixth Form Centre
12 Union Square
Keele
ST5 5BG
01782 106487
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Stapenhill Post-16 Centre
OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT
Unit 1: Digital Business Communication
Assignment 1
This Assignment investigates the role and contribution of communication
technology to business.
This assignment will allow you to:  Describe different types of business communication systems
 Explain benefits and drawbacks of these systems
 Explain how communication technology has contributed to the growth
of e-Commerce, e-Business and e-Marketing.
Task 1
The Sixth Form Centre are assessing the role that communication technology
has within their business along with ways they could develop it.
P1 You will describe at least three different types of business communication
system.
M1 You will describe at least three different types of business communication
system.
D1 You will describe in detail at least three different types of business
communication system.
You should prepare a report or presentation to show the centre to inform them
of the ways they could use digital communication.
You should include the following:
 Email
 WWW / Internet / Intranet
 Conferencing: video- / tele- / web- / instant messaging
You will need to identify what these systems are, and what they do.
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Stapenhill Post-16 Centre
OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT
Unit 1: Digital Business Communication
Task 2
P2 You will briefly explain the main benefits of these systems using some
examples.
M2 You will explain a range of benefits of these systems using appropriate
examples.
D2 You will explain thoroughly a wide range of benefits of these systems,
supported by a variety of well chosen examples.
The presentation will need to include the benefits of the systems you are
talking about. The depth and quality of your written work will distinguish
between a Pass, Merit & Distinction at this stage, as well as your examples.
In order to get an idea of the benefits, see your student checklist.
Task 3
P3 You will briefly explain the main drawbacks of these systems using some
examples.
M3 You will explain a range of drawbacks of these systems using appropriate
examples.
D3 You will explain thoroughly a wide range of drawbacks of these systems,
supported by a variety of well chosen examples.
The presentation will also need to include the drawbacks of the systems you
are talking about. The depth and quality of your written work will distinguish
between a Pass, Merit & Distinction at this stage, as well as your examples.
In order to get an idea of the benefits, see your student checklist.
Task 4
M4 You will explain how communication technology has contributed to the
growth of e-Commerce, e-Business, & e-Marketing.
D4 You will explain how communication technology has contributed to the
growth of e-Commerce, e-Business, & e-Marketing.
Finish off your presentation or report with a brief outline of what each of these
e-…’s are, along with how your chosen systems have influenced their growth
and development.
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Stapenhill Post-16 Centre
OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT
Unit 1: Digital Business Communication
Assignment 2
In this Assignment, you will explain the aids and barriers to effective
communication.
This assignment will allow you to:
 Explain aids and barriers to effective communication.
 Support your explanation with examples.
Task 1
P1 You will demonstrate a limited explanation of at least four of the aids and
barriers to effective communication.
M1 You will explain at least six of the aids and barriers to effective
communication.
D1 You will explain thoroughly a wide range of aids and barriers to effective
communication.
In order for the Sixth Form Centre to use digital communication systems in the
most effective way, they need to understand the aids and barriers to effective
communication. You should produce a report or presentation (whichever you
did not do for Assessment 1), on the aids and barriers to effective
communication. Again, the depth and quality of your written work will
distinguish between a Pass, Merit & Distinction at this stage, as well as your
examples. In order to get an idea of the benefits, see your student checklist.
Task 2
M2 Your explanation will be supported by at least two appropriate examples of
each.
D2 Your explanation will be supported by at least four appropriate examples
of each.
The aids and barriers to effective communication should be supported by your
own examples.
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Stapenhill Post-16 Centre
OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT
Unit 1: Digital Business Communication
Assignment 3
In this assignment you will design and create a presentation style for use in
business documents. You will be assessed on how well you use the features
of the software to create a professional-looking template.
This assignment will allow you to:
 Design and create templates
 Develop a house style
 Use software features for styling
Task 1
P1 You will design templates for at least three business documents.
M1 You will design templates for at least four business documents.
D1 You will design templates for at least five business documents.
As mentioned earlier you have been asked by the Sixth Form Centre to
develop a template for a collection of professional-looking documents:
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Email
Report
Letter
Memo
Leaflet/poster/flyer
Invoice
Agenda
Minutes
The documents are professional documents and need to have a consistent
style. It may be a good idea to also include a logo of the company.
Task 2
P2 You will create templates for at least three business documents.
M2 You will create templates for at least four business documents.
D2 You will create templates for at least five business documents.
Using the designs for the software templates, you should now create the
templates.
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Stapenhill Post-16 Centre
OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT
Unit 1: Digital Business Communication
Task 3
P3 These will include basic formatting.
M3 These will include some formatting.
D3 These will include appropriate formatting.
The formatting in these documents should include:
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Text style
Paragraph formatting
Page layout
Text flow
Graphic style (lines, borders)
Images (logo, partner companies)
 Corporate signature
See your student checklist to see what you need to include for each grade.
Task 4
P4 The house style will be mostly consistent across the templates.
M4 Templates will show a consistent house style.
D4 Templates will show a consistent house style.
The templates should have a consistent house style.
Task 5
M5 You will use at least two different types of software.
D5 You will use at least three different types of software.
The templates should be created for some different softwares which can
include:
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Word processing
Desktop publishing
Presentation
Email
Web pages
See your student checklist to see what you need to include for each grade.
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Stapenhill Post-16 Centre
OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT
Unit 1: Digital Business Communication
Task 6
M6 Templates will suit the purpose of each communication.
D6 Templates will suit the purpose of each communication.
The templates should be suited to the document purpose – see the sample
documents.
Task 7
D7 All templates will be of near professional quality.
The templates should be checked for errors so that they are of near
professional quality.
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Stapenhill Post-16 Centre
OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT
Unit 1: Digital Business Communication
Assignment 4
In this assignment you will demonstrate the effective use of written
communication using ICT in a business context.
This assignment will allow:
 The creation of four types of written communication
 Justification of the suitability of each document
 The effective use of software features
Task 1
P1 You will use at least two different types of written communication.
M1 You will use at least three different types of written communication using
templates you have created.
D1 You will use at least four different types of written communication using the
templates you have created.
The Sixth Form Centre need to create sample documents from the templates
you have created for them in order to use them as examples to their staff.
Task 2
P2 You will use at least two features.
M2 You will include the effective use of at least three features.
D2 You will use at least four features.
The documents should include features which should include:
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Tables
Bullets
Auto-numbering
Columns
Text boxes
See your student checklist to see what you need to include for each grade.
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Stapenhill Post-16 Centre
OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT
Unit 1: Digital Business Communication
Task 3
P3 The documents will be appropriately formatted using the house style
designed as part of AO3 with few inconsistencies.
M3 The documents will be appropriately formatted using the house style
designed as part of AO3 with few inconsistencies.
D3 The documents will be well structured and appropriately formatted using
the house style designed as part of AO3 with few inconsistencies.
The documents should include formatting which should include:
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Use of tabular form and numerical data
Borders and shading
Appropriate layout & styles
Bullets & numbering
Colour
See your student checklist to see what you need to include for each grade.
Task 4
P4 The documents will contain few errors and be mainly fit for purpose.
M4 The documents will contain few errors and be fit for purpose.
D4 The documents will be of near-professional business quality.
The documents should be checked for errors which should include:
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Spelling & grammar checkers
Checking case
Checking consistency and layout
Proof-reading
Thesaurus
See your student checklist to see what you need to include for each grade.
Task 5
D5 You will justify the suitability of each document for that purpose.
The documents should have a commentary about why each is suited to its
purpose and why.
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Stapenhill Post-16 Centre
OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT
Unit 1: Digital Business Communication
Assignment 5
In this assignment you will demonstrate the effective use of email in a
business context.
This assignment will allow you to:
 Use standard features of email appropriately
 Use advanced features of email appropriately
 How to use manage your email system in an organised manner
Task 1
P1 You will use at least four standard features of email appropriately.
M1 You will use at least four standard features of email appropriately.
D1 You will use at least five standard features of email appropriately.
The Sixth Form Centre needs to automatically send an email to parents
whenever students miss a lesson, as well as using the system to report on
students successes in assessments.
You should demonstrate various features of the email system that will help in
this task which should include:
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CC & BCC
High/low importance
Level of confidentiality
Address book
Creation and use of professional signature
Email account management
Email etiquette
See your student checklist to see what you need to include for each grade.
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Stapenhill Post-16 Centre
OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT
Unit 1: Digital Business Communication
Task 2
P2 You will set up and use at least three advanced features of email.
M2 You will set up and use at least four advanced features of email.
D2 You will set up and use at least five advanced features of email.
You should further demonstrate various advanced features of the email
system that will help in this task which should include:
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Multiple attachments/zipped files/embedded files
folders to organise mails
rules
groups/distribution lists
archiving
spam filter
autoreply.
See your student checklist to see what you need to include for each grade.
Task 3
P3 Your emails will mainly be fit for purpose.
M3 Your emails will be fit for purpose and appropriate to business use.
D3 All emails will be fit for purpose and appropriate to business use.
You should demonstrate why your emails are fit for purpose.
Task 4
D4 You will show an organised approach to the management of your own
email system.
You should be able to demonstrate how you have organised your email
system.
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Stapenhill Post-16 Centre
OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT
Unit 1: Digital Business Communication
Assignment 6
In this assignment you will demonstrate an understanding of document and
computer security in the workplace.
This assignment will allow you to:
 Describe security issues relating to documents and computers in the
workplace
 Identify methods to avoid these issues
Task 1
P1 You will describe at least four security issues relating to documents and
computers in the workplace.
M1 You will describe at least five security issues relating to documents and
computers in the workplace.
D1 You will describe in detail, giving specific examples, at least six security
issues relating to documents and computers in the workplace.
The Sixth Form Centre must by law identify and address any security issues
arising from the use of computers and creation of documents within their
workplace.
You should describe various of these security issues in this task which should
include:
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Hacking
data misuse
unauthorised transfer or copying
unauthorised copying or distributing software
email and chatroom abuse
adware/malware/spyware
pornography
online threats (phishing/identity and financial abuses etc)
types of viruses/virus protection
See your student checklist to see what you need to include for each grade.
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Stapenhill Post-16 Centre
OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT
Unit 1: Digital Business Communication
Task 2
P2 You identify methods used to avoid these issues.
M2 You describe methods used to avoid these issues.
D2 You describe in detail methods used to avoid these issues
Create a document to assist the staff and students at the sixth form centre to
avoid the issues described in the previous task.
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Stapenhill Post-16 Centre
OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT
Unit 1: Digital Business Communication
Assignment 7
In this assignment you will use standard ways of working to work safely, keep
information secure and manage personal information.
This assignment will allow you to:
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Demonstrate an awareness of health and safety
Use standard ways of working to organise your work
Show an understanding of security measures
Back up your work
Task 1
P1 You will demonstrate an awareness of health and safety issues related to
the use of ICT and apply this on most occasions.
M1 You will demonstrate an awareness of health and safety issues related to
the use of ICT and apply this on most occasions.
D1 You will demonstrate an awareness of health and safety issues related to
the use of ICT and apply this at all times.
The Sixth Form Centre must also by law identify and address any health and
safety issues arising from the use of ICT.
You should describe various of these health and safety issues and how they
can be prevented.
Task 2
P2 You will use standard ways of working to organise your work efficiently.
M2 You will use standard ways of working to organise your work efficiently.
D2 You will use standard ways of working to organise your work efficiently
You should demonstrate standard ways in which you organise your work
efficiently. These must include: suitable folder structure; and using
appropriate names for files and folders.
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Stapenhill Post-16 Centre
OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT
Unit 1: Digital Business Communication
Task 3
P3 You will show an understanding of some security measures.
M3 You will demonstrate how you have considered and applied document
security to your own files.
D3 You will demonstrate how you have considered and applied document
security to your own files.
You should explain security measures used in terms of document security,
which should include:
 Passwords to open/modify
 Saving work regularly
 Secure drives
See your student checklist to see what you need to include for each grade.
Task 4
P4 You will back up your work to a suitable medium.
M4 You will back up your work to a suitable medium on more than one
occasion.
D4 You will back up your work regularly to a suitable medium.
You should demonstrate and explain backup procedures that the Sixth Form
Centre should consider, including reasoning.
Task 5
M5 You will show a good understanding of version numbers.
D5 You will show a good understanding of version numbers and access
permissions.
You should demonstrate and explain versioning of documents and access
permissions that the Sixth Form Centre should consider, along with reasoning.
See your student checklist to see what you need to include for each grade.
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