YEAR 12 LESSON FORTY [27th Feb 14]: Homework

The aim of this session was to continue to develop student ability to construct a detailed critical analysis of an unseen text. Click on link below to access text:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-8PBx7isoM
Students considered how media forms are used to shape meaning.
HOMEWORK: Offer a written response to the questions.

1. How are media forms used to shape meaning?
2. How is the family represented in this text?
3. Why does the film appeal to such a wide audience?

YEAR 13 LESSON THIRTY EIGHT [25th Feb 14]: Homework

Students were asked to consider Section A of last year's examination paper. It all went a bit heavy metal!! One student left the lesson to buy an Ozzy Osbourne wig and visit the local tattooist to have the word METALLICA tattooed on their face. Quite remarkable! An example of Marxist Theory evolved before our very media eyes!! The aim of this lesson was to develop student awareness of the educational demands of Section A and emphasise the fact that this section of the exam will expect students to refer to texts discussed within the media classroom throughout the course. It is important that students develop the ability to refer to specific media texts when constructing a response for questions 2 and 3. Section A is demanding and students need to be aware of the skills that they are expected to exhibit if they are to access the higher grades. The last set of Section A essays were fantastic.

HOMEWORK: Read the examination paper and prepare for a class discussion on Friday that will confront the requirements of all three questions. Students need to be constructing coursework. As I said in the lesson, this term is THE IMPORTANT TERM. IT IS TIME FOR COURSEWORK.
It is time to get serious folks!
:)

YEAR 12 LESSON THIRTY-NINE [ 24th Feb 14]: Homework

Students were ask4ed to provide a critical analysis of the media text below. Click on link:
http://vimeo.com/83394732
Class discussion considered two questions:
1. How are media forms used to shape meaning?
2. How is Scarborough represented in this text?

The aim of this session was to reintroduce students to the demands of media critical analysis and reacquaint students with the skills that will be required when confronting Section A of the exam in May.

HOMEWORK: Complete the two questions. Continue to consider and create coursework. On Thursday we will be considering how to 'personalise' the Cross-Media Study. Students are encouraged to peruse any e-media that links to any Channel Four hybrid-documentary products. For example, the ONE BORN EVERY MINUTE site. What does this e-media offer its audience?

YEAR 13 LESSON THIRTY-SEVEN [11th Feb 14]: Homework

Students continued to present material to the class that could be used for the critical investigation. The aim was for students to offer their comrades a potential essay structure that would allow students to construct appropriate written coursework. The work presented has been magnificent. WELL DONE.
HOMEWORK: IT IS COURSEWORK TIME FOLKS. When we return I expect ALL students to have attempted to begin constructing their Critical Investigation. Please feel free to send work to me via email. THE COURSEWORK IS MASSIVE! YOUR FINAL GRADE WILL DEPEND UPON THE QUALITY OF THE COURSEWORK. NO SLACKING.
Good luck media freaks.

YEAR 12 LESSON THIRTY-SEVEN/THIRTY-EIGHT [10th/13th Feb 14]: Homework

Both these sessions considered the Cross-Media Study. The final session was the gift of a timed essay.
HOMEWORK: STUDENTS NEED TO BE CONSIDERING COURSEWORK CONTENT.

INTERNET REGULATION INSPIRES RIOTS IN TURKEY.

The Turkish government are attempting to introduce new legislation that would increase government control of the internet. This has inspired a wave of protests. Click on links below:
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26103295
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26105729
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26060021
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25502081
Euronews film segment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpqWf2GKJ3E

YEAR 13 LESSON THIRTY-SIX [7th Feb 14]: Homework

This session involved students constructing a potential essay structure for a critical investigation. The structure offered by Ed and Maya in today's session was outstanding. They gave us the content for a GRADE A critical investigation. The rest of the class will be sharing their work on Tuesday. Make sure you have evidence of independent study, evidence of an understanding of media issues and debates, precise contemporary textual reference, and evidence of the relevant application of media theory.

HOMEWORK: Ed and Maya can relax...or begin constructing their critical investigation. The rest of the class need to prepare for Tuesday.

YEAR 12 LESSON THIRTY-SIX [6th Feb 14]: Homework

The aim of this session was discuss coursework and introduce students to some exemplar material. The coursework is INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT as it is 50% of the final grade. Below is the film that was made by a previous student in response to the music brief. Note how the student has offered a very clear example of GENRE and never moves from the requirements of the brief. Click on link below:
http://vimeo.com/22631603
Students were provided with exemplar material relating to the INTENTIONS DOCUMENT and the EVALUATION.
The quality of the photography is extremely important when creating PRINT MEDIA and below are some examples from last year that were created for Brief One. This is OUTSTANDING work:

HOMEWORK: Consider the Cross-Media Study Question from the last lesson. We will be attempting to construct an answer to this question in Monday's session.

PANCREATIC CANCER POSTER SHOCK ADVERTISING.

This is the latest example of controversial SHOCK advertising. It has caused a lot of debate. What do you think about this campaign?
Daily Mirror article:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/pancreatic-cancer-wish-campaign-outrage-3116014
Daily Mail online article:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2552308/I-wish-I-breast-cancer-Pancreatic-cancer-charitys-campaign-slogan-causes-outrage-sufferers-disease.html
ITV Good Morning discusses the Ad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLRNhq5gCtk
Breast Cancer Campaign website:
http://www.breastcancercampaign.org/blog/response-to-pancreatic-cancer-actions-new-advertising-campaign-it-is-not-a-competition
Pancreatic Cancer Action website:
http://pancreaticcanceraction.org/support-us/awareness/month/
BBC Newsnight discusses this awareness campaign [6th Feb 14]:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFaKmOvPwiY

FACEBOOK IS 10.

This would be an excellent area for a critical investigation. Students should digest the resources on this post:
Are Facebook's days numbered? BBC article:
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/education-26049333
Five Questions from 10 years of Facebook. BBC article:
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-26025009
Article from The Guardian:
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/feb/04/facebook-10-years-mark-zuckerberg
AFP News video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-N09XLOgOo
Advertising and Facebook. ITV News film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imYXuLCjOQY
BBC Newsnight film essay relating to Facebook's birthday:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zxH2dMP8lQ

INFLUENCE OF MEDIA..Video Games Study.

Here is a new study from Canada that relates to media influence. This could be a stimulus for coursework:
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/education-26049333

YEAR 13 LESSON THIRTY-FIVE [4th Feb 14]: Homework

The aim of today's session was to make students aware of the content that is expected when producing the A2 Critical Investigation and Linked Production. Students were introduced to some A2 work from last year to develop an understanding of the academic expectation of this section of the course. Coursework is 50% of the final grade so this work needs to be approached in a mature and organised manner.
Then we ate some cake. HAPPY BIRTHDAY HATTIE.
The final section of the lesson involved the class being placed into pairs to consider one of the following questions:

• How has the mobile phone influenced/changed the media landscape?
• Can the media really influence human behaviour?
• Why do institutions use shock advertising?

The aim of this task was to encourage students to construct a precise A2 essay structure that could be used to create a critical investigation. ALL THREE QUESTIONS COULD EASILY BE TITLES SUITABLE FOR THE CRITICAL INVESTIGATION. Students need to consider the media issues and debates/ media theory that can be linked to their task.

HOMEWORK: Students will be expected to produce a presentation to the class on Friday so independent research will be required to discover content that will be appropriate for the presentation. I want to hear some original ideas and I want specific textual reference to be contemporary and precise. REFERENCE TO RELEVANT MEDIA TEXTS IS ESSENTIAL WHEN CONSTRUCTING A CONVINCING CRITICAL ARGUMENT.  

YEAR 12 LESSON THIRTY-FIVE [Feb 3rd 14]: Homework

The aim of today's session was to reintroduce students to the critical skills required for Section A of the exam and continue to consider the Cross-Media Study. Click on link below to access text used for the Section A class discussion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-8PBx7isoM
The session then lumbered towards a consideration of the Cross-Media question:
'To be successful, media institutions have to use a variety of media platforms.'
To what extent is this true of your case study?
THIS IS A TOUGH QUESTION. The key word in the title is 'successful'. What does this mean? Class discussion considered how it would be possible to approach this question.
HOMEWORK: Consider the Section A and B questions presented in this session. On Thursday we will be discussing how to answer both questions. Perhaps you will be asked to produce a timed essay...perhaps not. Probably be best to be prepared!

Al Jazeera journalists arrested. Media and Democracy issue.

This recent news story illustrates how dangerous it is to be an investigative journalist in an environment when governments are keen to control the nature of POLITICAL REPRESENTATION. Every year hundreds of investigative journalists/photographers/ filmmakers are arrested or killed attempting to report news stories that uncover corruption or challenge representations offered by questionable political regimes. Click on links below to access the recent arrests of a group of Al Jazeera journalists in Egypt:
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/01/un-condemns-detention-al-jazeera-team-2014131113141942864.html
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25546389
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6SPuwWQpU0

THE INFLUENCE OF FOX NEWS IN THE USA.

This is an article offered by THE YOUNG TURKS, an American online News source, that suggests that Fox News is losing its political influence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vdNEg08Bcc

THE NSA AND ANGRY BIRDS. MORE ED SNOWDEN.

Watch this Channel Four News ONLINE HORROR STORY. Obviously this relates to the PRIVACY ISSUES we have been discussing in our media sessions.
http://www.channel4.com/news/angry-birds-nsa-ed-snowden-google-maps-leaks

THR RISE OF DIGITAL FEMINISM. BBC NEWSNIGHT FILM.

AGAIN folks, this is a resource that was broadcast by BBC 2's NEWSNIGHT and links directly to our Media lessons. Click on link below to access another very useful  SEVEN minute resource.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxC5XN6VMIw

MOBY and SPOTIFY.

Another BBC NEWSNIGHT resource. Click on link below to hear Moby discuss SPOTIFY and the future of music consumption.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U3fvK48kx0

WHY IS RADIO THRIVING IN A DIGITAL WORLD?

This short film was broadcast on BBC NEWSNIGHT last week and considers why the RADIO PLATFORM, the oldest media platform and the pioneer of broadcast media in an analogue world, appears to be THRIVING in our digital world. This is a really smart short essay. ALL STUDENTS SHOULD DIGEST THIS RESOURCE.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eiUJPgxg24 

WHAT IS THE POINT OF NEWS? Alain De Botton.

This visual essay was broadcast on BBC 2's NEWSNIGHT last week. It is ESSENTIAL VIEWING FOR ALL MEDIA STUDENTS. Alain De Botton is a very interesting modern philosopher and this resource is well worth 5 minutes of your time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQUmcGF73zM