media
gcse media
EDUQAS
To find out more about our GCSE course in Media, please watch the video to the right!
Why should students choose GCSE MEDIA?
GCSE Media Studies will encourage students to discuss and analyse a wide range of media texts such as film, television, magazines, advertisements, franchises and podcasts to name just a few. Students will learn about the historical nature of the media, how it has changed over time together with specific issues surrounding different media sectors. This subject will develop transferable skills such as critical thinking, analysis, research, planning, practical skills, time management, essay writing and more.
What Year 10 Students have to say:
“It allows me to express my creativity in a different medium to traditional art, it also allows me to create in a way that I enjoy.”
“I enjoy Media lessons because of the engaging lessons and opportunities.”
“There are many ways to be creative that each use different skills.”
“I get to learn and develop many skills, such as my photoshop and analysis. We also get to watch films and videos.”
“I enjoy media because it gives me an opportunity to be creative.”
“I can use my imagination and create many different products. For instance making videos, photography and many other aspects. I would recommend this subject.”
“I get to create pieces of media that I enjoy (such as photoshop) and I get to watch and analyse films and videos. As well as this I enjoy learning new skills.”
“It allows us to be creative. And it shows us how the digital media we're surrounded by, is influencing our lives.”
“I enjoy media lessons because there are tons of enjoyable things to do. For example, at the moment I'm doing an app which is designed for some Nike Phantom Vision shoes. it is enjoyable in general.”
What will STUDENTS need to be successful in this course?
Students will need to have a good proficiency in English as they will be working independently in interpreting and acting upon the examination scenarios. They must be interested in the world of digital media, but must also be able to carry out research, experiment with their creative designs, fully document their decisions and follow given processes in order to succeed. They will need to work to deadlines, manage their time and must be prepared for and motivated to work consistently and independently to achieve the requirements of the qualification.
SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
This course is suitable for students of all abilities. Students will need to utilise literacy and comprehension skills throughout this course. Students with aspirations of grade 6 and above can expect challenges and should always aim to complete 3 chilli tasks. The course can be extremely creative if students are prepared to go the extra mile to develop digital media which is both fit for purpose and the specified audience. We will be expecting the level of writing to be sophisticated, analytical, evaluative and reflective. Students who want to do well should demonstrate a keen eye for detail.
In Year 9, students will be encouraged to work both independently and in groups to plan, develop and create digital media such as an animation or trailer. They will also be encouraged to look at, interact with, watch and listen to various media texts with a view to discussing and expressing their opinions.
Key terms will be taught in various ways through quizzes, application and presentation so that students are prepared for applying key terminology when writing about their experiences and media.
The practical assessment together with revision are very well supported in after-school sessions on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Course Description
This qualification provides students with an engaging and stimulating introduction to the world of digital media. They explore some of the key themes across the creative digital media sector, selected from, for example, film, audio production, games design, website design and publishing. Students will develop broad knowledge and skills relating to the creative digital media industry, Through the Examining Board's set piece, students will analyse how media products use images, sounds, language and representations to create meaning. They will learn about the media industry and how the industry affects how media products are made. Media audiences will be investigated i.e. the people who consume the media and how they are affected differently by media texts. Examples of the set pieces are Luther (crime/drama), Spectre, Quality Street & The Man with the Golden Gun Posters and the This Girl Can campaign. Students will be required to expose themselves to genres which they would not normally watch; the wider their experiences the better they will appreciate the creative digital media sector.
But it’s not all theory. There is a significant amount of practical work where students will create media such as music videos, magazines, television programmes, advertisements and more. Students will apply what they have learned about the media to produce their own media piece which is a very rewarding experience.
You can read more about the Media GCSE by visiting the exam board website by clicking here.
WHAT OTHER SUBJECTS GO WELL WITH CREATIVE DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCTION?
This course complements the learning in GCSE courses such as design and technology, art & design, and computer science, by broadening the application of 'design and make' tasks, working with a media brief, and understanding and engaging different audiences through making compelling media products.
Course Content
As GCSE Media Studies is an analytical and practical introduction to life and work in the industry, students will be able to explore the sector in depth while:
• developing technical skills and techniques
• producing a digital media products in response to a brief
• reviewing and reflecting on the process and outcome.
Click the buttons below to see a sample task and some sample work.
Assessment
Assessment will consist of a mixture of examinations and non-examined assessment as follows:
Component 1: Exploring the Media
Weighting: 40%
Assessment: Written examination (1 hour 30 mins)
This component comprises the following two sections:
Section A: Exploring Media Language and Representation
Section B: Exploring Media Industries and Audiences.
Component 2: Understanding Media Forms and Products
Weighting: 30%
Assessment: Written examination (1 hour 30 mins)
This component assesses all areas of the theoretical framework and contexts of the media in relation to television and music.
Section A: Television
Section B: Music (music videos and online media).
Component 3: Creating Media Products
Weighting: 30%
Assessment: Internally assessed task and externally moderated by the exam board. Students will be working from a brief to develop a digital product.
Students create an individual media production for an intended audience. They will apply their knowledge and understanding of media language and representation. The genre/style and intended audience will be specified in the brief which is provided by the exam board.
STUDENT WORK SAMPLES & tasks
Example Year 9 Design Work
Students were asked to design a cover and two-page spread for a magazine called “Shore”, pictured left. To the right you can see some of their planning (pre-production) work.
Tetley Tea Task
Students were asked to analyse this Tetley Tea advertisement. Please select this link to watch it. Below you will find some of their responses which represent a “first try” in analysing moving image media.
“The purpose of this media is to get people to buy this tea product. The producers are trying to get across that the tea is comforting. We can see in the clip as soon as the tea is made the main subjects give a sigh of relief implying that it helps relieve their stress after a dismal day of rain. The producers also imply that the tea (which is strong) will give you energy as the cat says that it is “strong enough to put fur on [it’s] my chest”.The use of anthropomorphism implies that the tea can make anyone intelligent and can get “anyone talking” like it says in the advert. I think the target audience are adults who more often enjoy a nice warm cup of tea more than any other age group.”
Further Education and Career Pathways
During the GCSE Media course, students will develop and practise a range of skills which will equip them for progression to A Level study. These skills will also help students in other areas such as Film, English, Humanities and Social Sciences.
Over one hundred universities offer courses in Media, Communications and Cultural Studies in the UK. An A Level qualification in Media Studies, informed by study at GCSE level, helps to move students towards these courses, as well as, to those in a range of other areas.
As well as university and not to mention apprenticeships, there is a huge array of career opportunities in the media industry that is growing very quickly. This qualification will support students in progressing to employment in a wide range of job roles such as digital design, TV, animation and video production. Possible careers include web design, multimedia/graphic design, games design, journalism and sales and marketing.
There has never been a better time to become a Media Studies student!