The document discusses the OCR Media Studies A-Level qualification taken in the UK. It notes that Media Studies has grown significantly in popularity compared to other subjects like Art, English, and Math. The current OCR specification introduced in 2008 takes a digital approach using blogging and web tools. Students complete coursework portfolios and exams assessing their knowledge of key concepts and critical perspectives. While new digital approaches allow for more active, connected learning, fully realizing their benefits relies on adequate teacher training, resources, and institutional support.
2. GCE A-level in the UK
main qualification taken by 16-19 year olds
usually 4 subjects at AS, drop to 3 at A2
300,000 candidates sitting 860,000 qualifications
post-GCSE (at age 16), pre-University
3. A-level Media Studies
Media 35,000 at AS, 25,000 at A2
compares with:
Art 65,000 at AS, 50,000 at A2
English 125,000 at AS, 90,000 at A2
Maths 150,000 at AS, 85,000 at A2
4. 1990 222
1995 6744
2000 13507
2005 32346 23427
2010 36541 26343
Growth in Media Studies A level
AS A
6. OCR specification
AS: 12,000,A2: 9,000 candidates each year
new specification introduced 2008
new digital approach- blogging and Web 2.0 tools
active learning, 50% coursework
7. OCR Spec
Foundation Portfolio (coursework AS)
Key Media Concepts (exam AS)
Advanced Portfolio (coursework A2)
Critical Perspectives (exam A2)
10. research and planning 20 - sense of journey
construction 60 - skills with camera, editing, mise-en-scene, audio, titles
evaluation 20 - digitally presented responses to seven questions
Coursework Assessment
12. In what ways does your media product use, develop or
challenge forms
and conventions of real media products?
My media product is a video film which has been created to fit in with other horror films, however at the same time it
has been made to challenge conventions of real media products allowing it to be considered as unique. There were
various aspects which influenced our decision to create a film based on the horror genre. It was important that our
audience were satisfied by the film and all there expectations of a horror film were met. Looking at the typical
conventions of a horror film, such as blood, killing, violence and screams helped us to consider the aspects of a typical
horror film that we did and didnt wish to include. We knew that to create a good film we needed to incorporate some
of the elements from an ordinary horror film, causing us to place our focus on a range of similar films and pick out
ideas which we felt would also fit into our own work. Films such as Scream and Blair witch project were considered
and ideas which we liked were considered for our own film. By using blood, violence and screaming we allowed our
movie to fit into the same category as general horror films, however using a slight twist as in Blair witch project by
creating a similar setting and style of filming we were able to challenge the conventions of real media products. We
used a completely new storyline however used old and previously used ideas to put he storyline together creating a
new and different type of film. By then using iMovie to help us with editing we were able to create effects to make our
film more scary and fit into its specific genre.
20. Blogging - positives
you dont lose your work
you can access it anywhere
you can embed and link to other media
it looks good
you can go back and improve it
you can work together on it
its more like how I use the internet
motivation to work harder
formative tool - including peer assessment
can reach a wider audience
21. one of the best things about the blog- you see the
process of how you did it. If it was written (essay)
work, youd see the planning work and then youd
do it and then it would be done and you wouldnt
see it again, youd carry on with other stuff, but
because its on a blog, you can keep looking at it. Its
kind of like a story, because you see it from the start
to the end and that makes you feel proud and helps
you look back and say thats what I was doing, Ive
done that... (Scott, age 16)
25. connected? creative? critical?
online, but not connected to each other
at best, real opportunities to create
criticality in exams, but also in reflection