Sample work Commerce Stage 5: Investing Money - Shares

Description of activity

Context

This activity takes place in the core unit of work on Personal Finance in the sub-topic of Investing Money. Students have examined different investment options such as shares, property, superannuation and managed funds, and the general relationship between risk and return on such investments. They put their learning into practice by creating their own portfolio of shares, monitoring their capital gains over time and modifying their share portfolio to maximise their earnings.

Outcomes

A student:

5.5 evaluates options for solving commercial and legal problems and issues

5.6 monitors and modifies the implementation of plans designed to solve commercial and legal problems and issues

5.7 researches and assesses commercial and legal information using a variety of sources

5.8 explains commercial and legal information using a variety of forms

5.9 works independently and collaboratively to meet individual and collective goals within specified timelines.

Criteria for assessing learning

(These criteria would normally be communicated to students with the activity.)

Students will be assessed on their ability to:

• select a balanced share portfolio with evidence of research and evaluations
• assess and explain factors influencing investment decisions to maintain or modify the share portfolio
• communicate information clearly in a table over a specified period.

Work Sample Assessment 

Bobby 

Bobby has selected a balanced share portfolio and has provided a well-organised and detailed set of tables showing the shares bought and sold over the four weeks. The decisions made were well justified each week, and adopted a clear and well-structured written form. Bobby has demonstrated an extensive range of financial and business concepts and assessed and explained factors influencing their decision-making as well as the maintenance and modification of that decision-making. Some language used needs to be formalised, however. This sample demonstrates independent research and consistent application of decision-making, and it communicates complex ideas and concepts. There is some room for improvement in the relationship between share price movement and environmental factors, as well as in the overall presentation. However, Bobby communicates in appropriate formats, has researched a variety of sources and has succinctly evaluated success or lack of success, using appropriate formats within the time allocated. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade A standard.

Pat 

Pat has selected a balanced share portfolio with good evidence to justify the selection. He/she has demonstrated both the explanation and assessment of factors influencing the decisions to maintain and modify the share portfolio. Decision-making and analysis begin very well but fall away in Week 4. The justifications are characteristic of work at Grade B. Tabulated information is effectively presented in concise form, which demonstrates complex communication skills, both written and graphic. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade B standard.

Reese 

Reese has demonstrated sound knowledge and understanding of commercial and financial factors relating to share trading. A balanced share portfolio has been selected and its progress has been monitored. The explanation of the factors influencing investment decisions is generalised, but sound. The inclusion of substantiating evidence, such as relevant details or statistics, would strengthen the response, but the information has been clearly communicated. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard.

Drew 

Drew has demonstrated basic knowledge and understanding of commercial and financial factors relating to share trading. A limited share portfolio has been selected and minimal information about the factors influencing investment decisions has been provided. The reference to increases and decreases in share prices is evidence of basic research skills, but this is not followed through with modifications to the portfolio. An attempt to communicate information in table format has been made. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade D standard.

Rania 

Rania has demonstrated basic knowledge and understanding of commercial and financial factors related to share trading, and has applied some decision-making in a commercial context. A limited explanation of the selected portfolio and the subsequent modification in week 4 has been provided. Some attempt has been made to communicate the information in table format. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade D standard.

Lou 

Lou has demonstrated an elementary knowledge of commercial and financial factors relating to share trading. The reasons given for buying and selling shares in the portfolio show very limited research and an elementary understanding of investment decisions. The reasons are listed with no attempt to explain the factors that influenced the modification of the portfolio and no mention of specific companies bought and sold. The total value of shares has not been shown but an attempt has been made to present the information in table format. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade E standard.