Media Studies 2006

PETER WALL CHIEF EXAMINER William Collins’ dream of knowledge for all began with the publication of his first book in 1819. A self-educated mill worker, he not only enriched millions of lives, but also founded a flourishing publishing house. Today, staying true to this spirit, Collins books are packed with inspiration, innovation and practical expertise. They place you at the centre of a world of possibility and give you exactly what you need to explore it. Collins. Do more. Published by Collins Acknowledgements An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers The following permission to reproduce material 77–85 Fulham Palace Road is gratefully acknowledged: Hammersmith ‘Desperate Dan slims down for Dandy relaunch’ London by Dominic Timms from The Guardian, W6 8JB 8 October 2004 © Dominic Timms, p18. Browse the complete Collins catalogue at Cover by Caroline Grimshaw www.collinseducation.com Internal Design by JPD © 2006 Peter Wall First published in 2006 Peter Wall asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work. All rights reserved. Any educational institution that has downloaded one copy of this publication may make duplicate copies for use exclusively within that institution. Permission does not extend to reproduction, storage within a retrieval system, or transmittal in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, of duplicate copies for loaning, renting or selling to any other institution without the permission of the Publisher. Media Studies GCSE Controlled Test Teacher Guidance Introduction – About the Media Studies for GCSE Course Both also contain helpful guidance for Media Language students preparing for the Controlled Test (pages 230–7 of the Student Book and Representation pages 17–18 of the Teaching Pack). In addition, teachers can obtain from the Institution Media Studies Subject Officer at AQA, an Audience information sheet that offers advice and guidance on the teaching of the Controlled Production Skills Test topic. About the Controlled Test SB Student Book The Controlled Test is the externally <insertTP single column Teaching table> Pack assessed component of the AQA GCSE specification. It is worth 50% of the marks available to candidates. The topic area for Media Studies for GCSE is a series that the Test changes annually and is published comprises a Student Book (ISBN about two years in advance of the date of 000713391X), Teaching Pack (ISBN the test itself. 0007133928) and Media Controlled Test downloads. The series is designed to offer The test takes the form of a paper which both the student and teacher enhanced and is pre-released to candidates at the comprehensive learning of ‘media’ and the beginning of May. This gives them the AQA Media Studies GCSE. opportunity to research tasks for the test itself. This is sat under exam conditions for The Student Book is structured around a total of three hours to be completed by the four Key Concepts of: Media Language, the end of May. The timing of the test, Representation, Institution and Audience which can be broken down into two (these are fully explained on pages 8–75, sessions, is at the discretion of individual SB). Whilst focusing on these central centres. Centres need to consider how to concepts, the text also includes detailed organise these sessions in order to provide case studies that support the information their candidates with the best chance of and teaching given on each media area of performing well in the test. study. Some of these areas of study include Media Technology, Advertising, Film, The rationale behind this approach is to Radio and Television News. provide the student with an assessment experience which is closely aligned to the The Teaching Pack contains work they will have done as part of their photocopiable worksheets and teachers’ coursework, although under time notes that accompany the Student Book. It constrained conditions. is designed to tackle the teaching objectives that arise from the AQA Media Studies Students can either be entered for the GCSE specifications and does this by Foundation or the Higher tiers. Teachers providing lesson plans and practical can base their decision on performance in worksheets that concentrate on the the coursework folders. In general, the pertinent aspects of the GCSE. Foundation tier paper is in a more accessible www.collinseducation.com 3 ©HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2006 Media Studies GCSE Controlled Test register and offers greater opportunities for remains buoyant despite competition from design-led responses than the Higher tier more dynamic media forms. paper. Teachers can change a candidate’s As ever, the key concepts remain an entry by telephoning the board up until the day before the test is released. important means of approaching the topic. Each worksheet has its coverage of the The Media Controlled Test downloads specific concepts clearly signposted so that cover the four Key Concepts found in the teachers can keep tabs on these. Of course, textbooks, with the addition of Production teachers are free to use the worksheets in Skills – one of the three Assessment any way they feel appropriate. However, it Objectives on which candidates are tested. is recommended that those sheets that deal The worksheets have been organised so with Media Language be introduced early that they provide a structured approach to on as close scrutiny of the texts themselves delivering the Controlled Test topic. is always a good starting point. Teaching the Topic Area A number of worksheets are designed to The worksheets which follow are designed develop students’ production skills. It is to help students get started on their important that given the potential for research into the 2006 Controlled Test graphic design work, students are topic, Children’s Comics. They are reminded that drawing skills in themselves intended to cover all of the key concepts as are not of great importance. The ability to well as stimulating ideas for approaching show flair and imagination albeit through the Production Skills assessment objective. basic drawings will always be rewarded. Clearly layout and design skills need to be Students should base their research addressed, however, and these might around British children’s comics targeted at usefully be linked back to the students’ the age range 7 to 12. Copies of The Dandy exploration of commercially produced texts. and Beano will provide good starting points. However, as the test has to cover A full list of the worksheets is given in some of the historical context for this topic, the bookmark at the side of each page, further research via car boot sales, which will enable teachers and students to relatives’ attics and the internet is also go directly to each necessary page in the recommended. Copies of comics such as document when reading the pages on a Bunty and Eagle are well worth seeking screen. out. Many can be found in the form of We have also provided a short resource annuals. Comics have a long history and list. Teachers and students may find some the circulation of the remaining titles of the websites especially helpful. www.collinseducation.com 4 ©HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2006 Media Studies GCSE Controlled Test Resources It may help students in the Controlled Test to know a little bit about the history of comics, especially those produced in this country. What they need to identify are some of the major changes that have taken place in comic production over the years. The following websites may be helpful: Comics UK – useful background detail: http://www.comicsuk.co.uk Nationmaster Data Source – provides a history of British Comics and information about their main publishers in the encyclopedia section: http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedi a/British_comics/List_of_British_Comics DC Thomson – publishers of Beano and The Dandy: http://www.dcthomson.co.uk http://www.dandy.com http://www.beanotown.com www.collinseducation.com 5 ©HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2006 Media Studies GCSE Controlled Test worksheet Comic stories 1 For this worksheet you will need to look closely at two different comic stories. It is best if you can find these in two different comics or annuals. You will need to use these again in further worksheets, so keep them for reference. 1 Comparing the two stories, write a list of conventions that you think they have in common. You will need to look at such things as: ● The nature of the frames as they are laid out on the page ● The actual images within the frames ● The use of words and other devices within the frames. 2 Can you identify any differences between the two stories? For example, you might consider: types of character, featured settings, use of language or types of illustration. 3 What have you learned about the main conventions of comic stories? www.collinseducation.com 6 ©HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2006 Media Studies GCSE Controlled Test worksheet Front covers 2 For this worksheet you will need to look at the front covers of two comics. Try to look at two rival comics such as The Dandy and Beano. For each of the comics answer the following questions: 1 What do you notice about the typography (words and lettering) on the front of the comic? Write down some words that you think describe the use of typography. Comic 1: Comic 2: 2 What sort of illustration is used in the magazine? Consider, for example, the style of drawing and the use of colour. What sort of character has been chosen for the front cover? What is the character doing? Comic 1: Comic 2: 3 What information is given on the front of the magazine? Comic 1: Comic 2: 4 How do you think the magazine has been designed in order to attract its target audience? Do you think it is successful? Comic 1: Comic 2: www.collinseducation.com 7 ©HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2006 Media Studies GCSE Controlled Test worksheet Words and images 3 Comics work because of the relationship between the images and the words which are on the page.

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