Changes to modern teams exam questions

13 Pearson BTEC Digital Information Technology Component 3 exam-style questions on Changes to modern teams (A2 Impact of modern technologies), 36 marks in all. Answer them on paper or print them, then open the mark schemes and example answers to see how each is marked.

1State / Give two2 marks

Fablewood Games is a video game developer. Its staff work in countries all over the world.

Give two types of diversity a world team may have.

[2 marks]

Mark scheme

Award one mark for each correct type of diversity, up to a maximum of two marks from:

Age
Gender
Ethnicity/race/cultural background
Religion/belief
Disability
Nationality

Allow: two closely related types of diversity (e.g. nationality and ethnicity) as two separate marks

Do not accept: staff working in different countries – this is in the stem

Accept any other appropriate response.

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks2/2

Age and gender.

Why: Two correct types of diversity (1 each).

Some marks1/2

Age and staff working in different countries.

Why: Age is a correct type (1); working in different countries is in the stem and is not accepted.

No marks0/2

Working from home and flexible hours.

Why: These are working patterns, not types of diversity.

2State / Give two2 marks

Narwhal Translations is a translation agency. Its staff come from many different cultures. One benefit to the company of having a multicultural team is that staff can learn from each other.

Give two other benefits to the company of having a multicultural team.

[2 marks]

Mark scheme

Award one mark for each correct benefit, up to a maximum of two marks from:

More/new ideas/creativity
Wider range of skills/talent/bigger pool of talent
Better understanding of customers from different cultures
Can translate more languages/broader range of languages
Better understanding of overseas markets/ways of doing business abroad
Improved teamwork/communication within the team

Do not accept learning from each other – this is the example given

Do not accept benefits of flexible or remote working (e.g. working from home, saving money on offices) as these are not linked to a multicultural team

Accept any other appropriate response.

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks2/2

The team can come up with more ideas and staff can understand customers from different cultures.

Why: More ideas (1) and better understanding of customers from different cultures (1).

Some marks1/2

Staff can come up with more ideas and they can work from home.

Why: More ideas is credited (1); working from home is a benefit of flexible working, not of a multicultural team, so is not accepted.

No marks0/2

Staff can learn from each other and the team is more diverse.

Why: Learning from each other is the example given in the question and 'more diverse' only repeats the question, so neither is credited.

3State / Give two2 marks

Farndale Design Studio is a graphic design company. Two of its designers have disabilities: one is deaf and one has low vision.

Give two ways technology can help these designers at work.

[2 marks]

Mark scheme

Award one mark for each correct way, up to a maximum of two marks from:

Screen reader software
Text-to-speech/speech-to-text software
Screen magnification/enlarged text
Braille display
Voice recognition/voice control software
Hearing loop/induction loop
Captions/subtitles on video calls
Specialist keyboard or mouse (e.g. large keys)

Accept any other appropriate response.

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks2/2

Screen reader software and captions on video calls.

Why: Two correct technologies (1 each).

Some marks1/2

Screen reader software and giving staff flexible hours.

Why: Screen reader software is a correct technology (1); flexible hours is a working arrangement, not technology, so no credit.

No marks0/2

Anti-virus software and a firewall.

Why: These are security technologies, not technologies that meet a team member's needs, so no credit.

4Explain one2 marks

Oxenford Robotics is a company that builds robots for use in factories. Its design team is made up of staff who were born and trained in many different countries.

Explain one benefit to the company of having a multicultural team.

[2 marks]

Mark scheme

Award one mark for a correct benefit and one mark for a justification of that benefit, up to a maximum of two marks.

A wider range of ideas/skills (1) as staff from different backgrounds think about problems in different ways (1)
More creative/innovative (1) because people with different experiences and cultures share new ideas with each other (1)
More languages spoken in the team (1) so the company can talk to suppliers and customers abroad (1)
A bigger pool of talent (1) because the company can employ the best person for the job wherever they come from (1)

Do not accept: 'multicultural'/'staff from different countries' on their own, as this is in the question, or benefits to staff such as learning about other cultures, as the question asks for a benefit to the company.

A justification that only repeats the benefit (e.g. 'more creative as the staff are creative') does not earn the second mark.

Allow mix and match if it makes sense

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks2/2

They will get a wider range of ideas as the staff have grown up in different cultures and will solve problems in different ways.

Why: Names a correct benefit (1) and justifies it by saying why different cultures give different ideas (1).

Some marks1/2

The team will be more creative because there are more people in the team.

Why: Names a correct benefit (1) but the justification is about the size of the team, not about the cultures of the staff, so the second mark is not earned.

No marks0/2

It gives the staff a chance to learn about other cultures, which makes them happier at work.

Why: Gives a benefit to the staff rather than to the company, so no marks.

5Explain one2 marks

Belfry Animation Studio makes animated films for children's television. Its animators work together on the same files using cloud-based software. One of the animators has a visual impairment.

Explain one way technology can help the animator to work with the team.

[2 marks]

Mark scheme

Award one mark for a correct way and one mark for an expansion of that way, up to a maximum of two marks.

A screen reader (1) which reads the text on the screen aloud so the animator can hear it and work on the same files as the team (1)
Screen magnification/zoom (1) so the animator can make text and images in the team's files bigger and easier to see (1)
Changing the display settings/high contrast/colour settings (1) which makes text easier to read for someone with limited sight (1)
A braille display/braille keyboard (1) which lets the animator read the screen by touch (1)
Speech recognition/voice-to-text software (1) so the animator can enter text by speaking instead of typing (1)

Allow: the expansion does not have to mention the team, as long as it explains how the technology meets the animator's needs

Do not accept: security measures (antivirus/firewalls) or general tools such as cloud storage or video calls, as these do not meet the animator's needs

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks2/2

The animator could use a screen reader, which reads the text on the screen aloud so they can hear it and work on the same files as the rest of the team.

Why: Names a correct technology (1) and explains how it meets the animator's needs (1).

Some marks1/2

They could use a braille display.

Why: Names a correct technology (1) but gives no expansion of how it helps the animator, so only one mark.

No marks0/2

The company should install antivirus software on the animator's computer.

Why: A security measure, not a way of meeting the animator's needs, and it is named in the Do not accept line, so no marks.

6Explain one2 marks

Ormsby Software Support provides technical help to customers all over the world. Its support team is split across three countries, so team members work in different time zones. Customers often report problems overnight.

Explain one benefit to the company of working across different time zones.

[2 marks]

Mark scheme

Award one mark for a correct benefit and one mark for a justification of that benefit, up to a maximum of two marks.

Support is available 24/7/365/all day and night (1) as when one team finishes for the day, a team in another time zone starts work (1)
Customers get quicker replies (1) because there is always someone at work to deal with their problem (1)
More work is completed on a project each day (1) as one team hands the work over to the next team at the end of a shift (1)
The company can support customers during their local working hours (1) as there is a team in each time zone (1)
A wider pool of staff can be employed (1) as the company can recruit people in different time zones to cover all hours (1)

Do not accept: benefits of staff working from home (e.g. saving money on office space/commuting), as these are not caused by working in different time zones.

Allow mix and match if it makes sense

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks2/2

The company can answer customers all day and night because when one team goes home, the team in another time zone is just starting work.

Why: Names a correct benefit (1) and justifies it with the handover between time zones (1).

Some marks1/2

The company can offer support 24/7 because there are lots of staff in the team.

Why: Names a correct benefit (1) but the justification is about the number of staff, not the time zones, so the second mark is not earned.

No marks0/2

It saves the company money because the staff all work from home instead of in an office.

Why: A benefit of remote working, not of different time zones, so no marks.

7Explain one3 marks

Oddington Bike Hire rents bicycles to tourists from a shop near the beach. Its office staff can work from home or in the office.

Explain one benefit to Oddington Bike Hire of its staff working in the office rather than from home.

[3 marks]

Mark scheme

Award one mark for a correct benefit, one mark for a justification for that benefit and one mark for an expansion of the justification, up to a maximum of three marks.

Easier to communicate (1) because staff can talk face to face (1) so customer bookings are dealt with more quickly (1)
Better teamwork (1) as staff are in the same place (1) so they can share ideas and solve problems together (1)
Staff can be supervised more easily (1) because managers can see what they are doing (1) so mistakes are spotted sooner (1)
Staff can use office equipment (1) such as printers and the booking system (1) which they may not have at home (1)
New staff can be trained more quickly (1) as experienced staff are nearby (1) so they learn the job sooner (1)
Team relationships can be built (1) because staff meet in person (1) which can improve morale (1)

Do not allow mix and match

Do not accept: benefits to staff only, such as saving money on travel or childcare

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing.

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks3/3

It is easier for staff to communicate because they can talk to each other face to face, so customer bookings are dealt with more quickly.

Why: Benefit (1), justification (1) and expansion of the justification (1).

Some marks2/3

Staff can use the office equipment because they do not all have the same equipment at home.

Why: Benefit (1) and a justification for it (1); there is no expansion of the justification (0).

No marks0/3

Staff will save money on travel because they do not have to drive to the shop.

Why: This is a benefit to staff, not to the company, so it is not credited (0).

8Explain one3 marks

Junction Eight Conference Centre hosts events throughout the year. Some months are much busier than others.

Explain one benefit for Junction Eight Conference Centre of employing casual staff.

[3 marks]

Mark scheme

Award one mark for a correct benefit, one mark for a justification for that benefit and one mark for an expansion of the justification, up to a maximum of three marks.

Can employ staff only when needed (1) such as for large events (1) which reduces wage costs during quiet months (1)
More flexibility to cover busy periods (1) as casual staff can be called in at short notice (1) so events are not left understaffed (1)
Access to specialist skills (1) because casual staff can be hired for particular events (1) giving the centre skills its permanent staff may not have (1)
Can keep a smaller permanent team (1) and use casual staff for extra demand (1) which lowers fixed costs (1)
Casual staff can cover staff holidays or sickness (1) at short notice (1) so the centre can still run booked events (1)

Do not allow mix and match

Do not accept: any reference to staff working from home/remote working

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing.

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks3/3

It can employ casual staff only when events are booked, such as for a large conference, which reduces wage costs in quieter months.

Why: Benefit (1), justification (1) and expansion of the justification (1).

Some marks2/3

It gives the centre more flexibility because casual staff can be called in at short notice.

Why: Benefit (1) and justification (1); there is no expansion of the justification (0).

No marks0/3

Casual staff can work from home so the centre does not need as much office space.

Why: Remote working is not a benefit of employing casual staff; not credited (0).

9Describe3 marks

Rothbury Balloon Flights gives hot air balloon rides. It is very busy in the summer and quiet in the winter. It employs a mix of permanent and casual staff.

Describe how the company could use a mix of permanent and casual staff.

[3 marks]

Mark scheme

A description of how a mix of permanent and casual staff is used. To include three from

Permanent staff are employed on long-term/ongoing contracts (1)
To carry out the regular/core jobs all year round (1)
Casual staff are taken on only when they are needed/as and when required (1)
To cover busy/peak periods, such as the summer (1)
Casual staff are paid only for the hours they work (1)
So the company saves money/does not pay wages during the quiet winter (1)

Allow mix and match if it makes sense.

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks3/3

It could employ permanent staff on long-term contracts to run the regular flights all year round. It could take on casual staff only in the summer when it is busiest.

Why: Long-term contracts (1), permanent staff carrying out regular work all year round (1) and casual staff used only in the busy summer period (1).

Some marks2/3

It could employ permanent staff all year and casual staff only when it is busy.

Why: Permanent staff working all year (1) and casual staff taken on only when needed (1), but no further description of pay or savings.

No marks0/3

Flexible working means the staff can work from home instead of coming into the office.

Why: This describes remote working, not a mix of permanent and casual staff, so no mark scheme point is given.

10Describe3 marks

Redmarsh Games Studio makes computer games for consoles and mobile phones. Its design staff live in six different countries.

Describe what is meant by a world team for the studio.

[3 marks]

Mark scheme

A description of a world team. To include three from

Team members are based in different countries/parts of the world (not all in the same office/place of work)
The team is not limited by geographical restrictions/staff do not have to live near the company/its office
Staff work from their own location (e.g. home) rather than travelling to one office
Team members use technology such as video calls/instant messaging/shared cloud documents to communicate and work together
The team can include staff from different cultures/nationalities/backgrounds (a diverse team)

Allow one mark only for saying that team members are in different countries/not in the same office, even if both are given.

Do not accept: answers about working 24/7/365 or team members being in different time zones, as these describe team flexibility/set work hours, not a world team.

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks3/3

A world team is one where the staff are based in different countries around the world. They do not travel to an office, they each work from their own location, and they use technology such as video calls and shared cloud documents to work together.

Why: Gives that staff are based in different countries (1), that they work from their own location rather than travelling to an office (1) and the technology used to communicate and work together (1).

Some marks1/3

A world team is a team whose staff work in different countries, so they are not all in the same office.

Why: Gives one point only, that staff are in different countries; 'not all in the same office' is the same point, and the guidance allows one mark only for it. No other distinct point is given.

No marks0/3

A world team is a team that works 24 hours a day, so there is always someone available to help customers.

Why: Describes 24/7/365 working, which the mark scheme says is not accepted, not the features of a world team, so no mark scheme point is given.

11Explain two4 marks

Ospreydale Alarm Response is a company that monitors alarm systems for businesses. It is planning to set up teams in several other countries.

Explain two benefits to the company of its team members being in different time zones.

[4 marks]

Mark scheme

Award one mark for each correct benefit and one mark for a justification of each benefit, up to a maximum of four marks.

The company can monitor alarms 24/7/365 (1) as when one team finishes its shift another team in a different time zone can take over (1)
Alarms can be responded to more quickly (1) because there is always a team awake and working who can deal with an incident (1)
The company does not have to pay night-shift/overtime rates (1) as the work can be done by a team in a time zone where it is daytime (1)
Customer support is available during customers' working hours (1) because there is a team in a matching time zone to help them (1)
Sickness and holidays are easier to cover (1) as another team in a different time zone can take on their work (1)

Allow mix and match if the response makes sense

Do not accept: 'staff are in different time zones' as this is in the stem; benefits to staff rather than to the company

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks4/4

The company can monitor alarms all the time because when one team stops work another team in a different time zone can take over. It also means the company does not have to pay night-shift rates as the work can be done by a team where it is daytime.

Why: Two valid benefits, each with a justification: 24/7 monitoring (1) with handover to another time zone (1), and no night-shift pay (1) as another team works in daylight (1).

Some marks3/4

The company can monitor alarms all the time because when one team stops work another team in a different time zone can take over. It can also answer alarms more quickly.

Why: First benefit (1) and its justification (1) are credited. The second point names a valid benefit (1) but is not justified, so it does not gain the second mark.

No marks0/4

Staff are in different time zones so they can work from home, which saves them money on travel.

Why: The first part restates information already given in the stem, and the second part is a benefit to staff, not to the company.

12Explain two4 marks

Orlestone Publishing produces textbooks for schools and colleges. Its editors and illustrators live in many different countries, so the company works as a world team.

Explain two drawbacks to the company of having a world team.

[4 marks]

Mark scheme

Award one mark for each correct drawback and one mark for a justification of each drawback, up to a maximum of four marks.

Communication can be difficult (1) as staff may speak different first languages, so messages/instructions can be misunderstood (1)
Meetings are hard to arrange (1) as staff are in different time zones and are not all working at the same time (1)
Cultural differences can cause misunderstandings (1) as staff may have different ways of communicating/working (1)
It is harder for staff to build relationships with each other (1) as they may never meet in person (1)
Staff may feel isolated/less supported (1) because their manager/team mates are in another country (1)
The company has to pay for collaboration software (1) such as video conferencing licences for staff in every country (1)
Planning deadlines is harder (1) as staff take public holidays on different dates in different countries (1)
Staff sometimes need to travel to meet (1) which costs the company money for flights and hotels (1)

Do not accept: benefits of a world team, e.g. 24/7 working, a wider pool of skills

Allow mix and match if the response makes sense

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks4/4

Communication can be difficult because staff may speak different first languages, so instructions can be misunderstood. Meetings are also hard to arrange because staff in other countries are in different time zones and are not all working at the same time.

Why: Two drawbacks each with a justification: difficult communication (1) because of different first languages and misunderstood instructions (1); meetings hard to arrange (1) because of different time zones (1).

Some marks2/4

Communication can be difficult as staff may speak different first languages, so instructions can be misunderstood. The company can also save money because it does not need one large office for all its staff.

Why: First drawback and justification credited (2). The second point is a benefit to the company, not a drawback of a world team, so it earns nothing.

No marks0/4

Staff all over the world can work overnight so the company can answer customers at any time.

Why: This is a benefit of a world team (24/7 working), not a drawback, so no marks are awarded.

13Explain two4 marks

Overdale Instruments is a company that designs laboratory equipment. It sells its equipment to laboratories all over the world. Its design team is a world team, made up of diverse staff from many different countries and cultures.

Explain two benefits of a diverse team to the company.

[4 marks]

Mark scheme

Award one mark for each correct benefit and one mark for a justification of each benefit, up to a maximum of four marks.

More creative/new ideas (1) because staff from different backgrounds/cultures have different ways of thinking (1)
Better understanding of customers in other countries (1) because staff know the languages/customs of the countries the equipment is sold in (1)
A wider range of skills and experience (1) as the company can recruit from a larger pool of people/the best candidates (1)
Improved problem solving (1) as different viewpoints can be considered before a decision is made (1)
Stronger relationships with international clients (1) because staff can communicate in the client's own language (1)
Improved reputation (1) which could attract new customers/partners from other countries (1)

Allow mix and match if the response makes sense

Do not accept 'staff are from different countries' on its own, as this is in the stem

Do not accept any benefits to staff rather than the company

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks4/4

A diverse team can bring more creative ideas because staff from different cultures have different ways of thinking. It can also help the company understand the needs of customers in other countries because staff know their languages and customs.

Why: Two credited benefits, each justified: more creative ideas from different ways of thinking (2), and better understanding of customers in other countries from knowing their languages and customs (2).

Some marks2/4

The team will come up with more creative ideas because staff have different backgrounds. Having a diverse team also means the company will be more creative.

Why: The first benefit is credited with its justification (2). The second sentence repeats the same benefit, so it earns no further marks.

No marks0/4

Staff can learn about other cultures and this makes them happier at work.

Why: This is a benefit to individual staff, not to the company, so no mark scheme point is met.

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