GCSE (for first teaching in 2009) Media Studies - J526

Units

Please find below the units which are available for this qualification.

Unit title and description

Assessment
incl. duration

Weighting
B321: Individual Media Studies Portfolio
  • Focuses on key concepts of media language and representation
  • Opportunity to demonstrate skills in planning, construction and evaluation through the production exercise
  • Briefs include: popular music, celebrity, soap opera, and video games.

Controlled assessment

  • Learners will produce an individual portfolio containing an assignment and production exercise based on at least two media texts.
  • The assignment can be written (word processed) but may also be presented as a PowerPoint presentation or podcast.
  • As a guide, we recommend spending 25-30 hours on this unit. Further details will be available in the teacher support booklet.

30%
B322: Textual Analysis and Media Topic (Moving Image) or B323: Textual Analysis and Media Topic (Print)
  • Learners can choose to take the Moving Image or Print option. Each unit has two sections.
  • First section: Analysis and response to a short previously unseen moving image or print extract to demonstrate understanding of key media concepts. The following are offered – action adventure films and/or lifestyle magazines.
  • Second section: Based on a media topic – tests learners' understanding of institutions and audiences. The following topics are offered: TV comedy and/or radio comedy. These topics will remain for at least three years.

External assessment

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

40%
B324: Production Portfolio in Media Studies
  • Opportunity to demonstrate skills in research, planning, construction and evaluation
  • Develop understanding of the following key concepts: audience, institutions, media language, and genre
  • The following briefs are offered: print, video, audio, website, and cross-media
  • Presentation of evaluation can be a written commentary, PowerPoint presentation, podcast, or DVD with extras.

Controlled assessment

  • Learners can either work individually or as part of a group (maximum of five) to produce a major practical production in response to set briefs. They must also produce individual evidence of research and planning and an individual evaluation of their finished work. Centres choose from 12 briefs that will be available for at least two years.
  • As a guide, we recommend spending 25-30 hours on this unit. Further details will be available in the teacher support booklet.

30%

Assessment objectives

The assessment objectives are designed to reflect the non-statutory guidelines for Media Studies.

Learners are expected to demonstrate the following in the context of the content described:

AO1

Recall, select and communicate their knowledge and understanding of media products and the contexts in which they are produced and consumed.

AO2

Analyse and respond to media texts/topics using media key concepts and appropriate terminology.

AO3

Demonstrate research, planning and presentational skills.

AO4

Construct and evaluate their own products using creative and technical skills.