Unit 1: Investigating the media (Year 12)
Unit Learning Outcomes
Candidates will be expected to:
AO1 Recall, select and communicate their knowledge and understanding of media products and the contexts in which they are produced and consumed. (10%)
AO3 Demonstrate research, planning and presentation skills. (5%)
AO4 Construct and evaluate their own products using creative and technical skills. (5%)
The aim of this unit is to enable candidates to develop their critical understanding of the role of mass media in society. This unit is worth 40% of the GCSE. This unit is externally assessed. The external assessment takes the form of a one and a half hour examination and is timetabled.
Candidates are not permitted to take anything into the examination room except drawing and colouring materials. The topic for external assessment will change each year and will be advised to centres. Guidance for teachers will be issued on the AQA website twelve months in advance if the examination. The external assessment will take the form of unseen tasks based on the media topic and exemplified in the pre-released stimulus materials.
The external assessment is targeted at the full range of GCSE candidates and thus is not tiered.
2011 Unit 1 topic: Action Adventure
2012 Unit 1 topic: Television Crime Drama
2013 Unit 1 topic: The Music Press - Print and Online
2014 Unit 1 topic: Promotion and Marketing of Computer Games
2015 Unit 1 topic: Television News
Unit 2: Understanding the media (Year 11)
Unit Learning Outcomes
Candidates will be expected to:
AO2 Analyse and respond to media texts/topics using media key concepts and appropriate terminology . (10%)
AO3 Demonstrate research, planning and presentation skills. (10%)
AO4 Construct and evaluate their own products using creative and technical skills. (10%)
The aim of Unit 2 is for candidates to develop an understanding of how and why media texts are produced as they are. Unit 2 is worth 60% of the GCSE. In Unit 2 candidates will produce one introductory assignment, one assignment that requires candidates to look closely at cross-media platforms which more closely reflects the media industry today and one Practical Production and Evaluation, each chosen from a different bank of assignments. This unit will be assessed by means of controlled assessment. Centres should note the following:
Each task is specified by AQA. For each assignment candidates must complete one assignment from Assignment Bank 1, one from Assignment Bank 2 and one from Assignment Bank 3.
The supervision of candidates by centres must ensure that candidates complete tasks as set by AQA.
Research may be undertaken with limited supervision. Candidates need not be under the direct supervision of staff at all times. However candidates are required to complete all of the work other than research under informal supervision.
Unit Learning Outcomes
Candidates will be expected to:
AO1 Recall, select and communicate their knowledge and understanding of media products and the contexts in which they are produced and consumed. (10%)
AO3 Demonstrate research, planning and presentation skills. (5%)
AO4 Construct and evaluate their own products using creative and technical skills. (5%)
The aim of this unit is to enable candidates to develop their critical understanding of the role of mass media in society. This unit is worth 40% of the GCSE. This unit is externally assessed. The external assessment takes the form of a one and a half hour examination and is timetabled.
Candidates are not permitted to take anything into the examination room except drawing and colouring materials. The topic for external assessment will change each year and will be advised to centres. Guidance for teachers will be issued on the AQA website twelve months in advance if the examination. The external assessment will take the form of unseen tasks based on the media topic and exemplified in the pre-released stimulus materials.
The external assessment is targeted at the full range of GCSE candidates and thus is not tiered.
2011 Unit 1 topic: Action Adventure
2012 Unit 1 topic: Television Crime Drama
2013 Unit 1 topic: The Music Press - Print and Online
2014 Unit 1 topic: Promotion and Marketing of Computer Games
2015 Unit 1 topic: Television News
Unit 2: Understanding the media (Year 11)
Unit Learning Outcomes
Candidates will be expected to:
AO2 Analyse and respond to media texts/topics using media key concepts and appropriate terminology . (10%)
AO3 Demonstrate research, planning and presentation skills. (10%)
AO4 Construct and evaluate their own products using creative and technical skills. (10%)
The aim of Unit 2 is for candidates to develop an understanding of how and why media texts are produced as they are. Unit 2 is worth 60% of the GCSE. In Unit 2 candidates will produce one introductory assignment, one assignment that requires candidates to look closely at cross-media platforms which more closely reflects the media industry today and one Practical Production and Evaluation, each chosen from a different bank of assignments. This unit will be assessed by means of controlled assessment. Centres should note the following:
Each task is specified by AQA. For each assignment candidates must complete one assignment from Assignment Bank 1, one from Assignment Bank 2 and one from Assignment Bank 3.
The supervision of candidates by centres must ensure that candidates complete tasks as set by AQA.
Research may be undertaken with limited supervision. Candidates need not be under the direct supervision of staff at all times. However candidates are required to complete all of the work other than research under informal supervision.
