This document provides guidance for students on Sections 1a and 1b of their A Level Media Studies exam. Section 1a focuses on reflecting on the development of skills over the two-year course, while Section 1b assesses theoretical concepts. The document gives advice on what to include in introductions for Section 1a and provides an in-depth look at the skills of research and planning, including definitions, past exam questions, and homework assigning a reflective essay on how these skills have developed over the two years of study.

1. Section 1a
Reflection on skills development
across the two year A Level

2. Homework……..

3. Revision of unit so far
• What is the difference between Section 1a and
Section 1b?
– Section 1a is about you
– Section 1b is about your production
• What skills may section 1a assess?
– Research and Planning
– Digital Technology
– Post Production
– Conventions from Real Media Texts
– Creativity?

4. Revision of unit so far
• What theoretical concepts may you be
assessed on in Section 1b?
– Media Language
– Audience
– Representation
– Genre
– Narrative

5. What should every introductory
paragraph to Section 1a include?
• A definition of the skill
• A statement about how developed your
experience in using this skill was at the start of
the AS year
• Brief overview of the projects you will discuss
in relation to the skill.

6. Today’s aims: Research and Planning
• To understand what research and planning is
• To understand the importance of research and
planning to successful projects
• To identify uses of research and planning in AS
and A2 productions
• To reflect on the success of the skill in
effective research and planning.

7. Research and Planning
• Last featured on exam in January 2013
• Has only been assessed in the June series
once (and that was six years ago)
• Should be given serious revision time
• Could ask you about both research AND
planning; Or could ask you about just one.

8. Definitions
• What is research?
– Investigation into and study of sources in order to
reach new conclusions and establish new
knowledge
• What is planning?
– is the process of thinking about and organising
activities required to achieve a desired goal

9. Activity booklet:
• With your group (or individually if you’ve fallen
out) work your way through the first activity
• Make a note of your homework for this evening:
How have your skills in research and planning
developed over the two years studying Media
Studies Due next Monday

10. Homework essay
• Remember to
– Link the use of the skill to a particular production
– Link to an example from the production
– Reflect on the strengths and
weaknesses/successes failures of the use of the
skill