Media Literacy Education O'level

The study area SEC Media Literacy Education is informed by the National Curriculum Framework (NCF).

Unit 1: The Media and “Me”

This unit aims at encouraging candidates to explore the media world in terms of content and context, and its role in society. The candidates will be given the opportunity to explore the relationship between media and society by developing an understanding of the key aspects of media and applying these analytically. The unit helps them to engage with analytical tools in examining how society is represented on the media, and how society impacts the media producer’s creative decisions. 

Through this unit, candidates will have the opportunity to explore how different media contexts, including the different media platforms, audiences, institutions etc., shape the audience’s perspective of what is portrayed as a ‘reality’ in the media. 

Candidates will be able to test their knowledge through a hands-on approach. This way, they will be able to apply theory learnt and discussed in class. This will enable them to use cameras in an effective manner in order to achieve their aims creatively. Moreover, candidates will become familiar with the various uses of basic equipment related to photography, after which they will then work on practical tasks independently to produce a series of photographs

Unit 2: Communicating “Me”

This unit aims to expand candidate’s knowledge and views of the role of print, in its various forms, in society. The various forms of graphic design and the tools used within the print medium to send different messages to different audiences will be outlined. Candidates will be able to identify the key elements used in all forms of graphic design, and how these are used differently in print and in webbased platforms. The use of these elements to attract different audiences through advertising will also be explored. 

Graphical elements combined with the actual text may be used to pass on information which may carry a bias or agenda. Learners will acquire the critical skills needed to identify bias in graphical publications, judge tone, recognise emotion eliciting graphics, test sources, and learn to take these into consideration in order to achieve a critical reading of the text.

Candidates will be able to combine the acquired skills and information in the creation of their own web page. They will also have the opportunity to critically reflect on their on-going project through the creation of an online blog. This platform will open up their work to criticism from their peers. Candidates will be exposed to the real life working situation, where one’s peers may like or dislike specific works to varying degrees, and candidates must learn to filter, analyse, and act on the received feedback appropriately. 

This same platform also provides candidates with the opportunity to analyse and comment on the work of others. Candidates will therefore become aware that their online actions and comments have both negative and positive effects in real life. This awareness should instil an important sense of personal and collective responsibility with other online activity.

Unit 3: Creative and Collaborative “Me”

This unit aims at introducing the basic components of a moving image. The importance of understanding the different forms of sound as a means to further enhance the message being imparted is also necessary. 

Candidates will be able to explore the different categories of a moving image production and identify those key aspects of media language found within. An important component of this unit is story telling through the moving image. Moreover, candidates will acquire the skills to apply their own ideas from concept to screen. Teamwork is given paramount importance. Candidates will be able to identify roles and responsibilities in a moving image production while being encouraged to be aware of the impact of their product. 

Candidates will be testing their knowledge through a hands-on and active learning approach. Most learning will take place in class, in-studio or out in the field. Candidates will use cameras, pre-production and postproduction equipment in a creative way in order to produce a video which reflects their chosen story. They will then have the opportunity to work collaboratively, critically and creatively on a practical task, in which they will be required to create a product which sums up what they have learnt.

At the end of the programme, the student will be able to: 

• Demonstrate an understanding of how the different media contexts impact media content
• Demonstrate knowledge of how contextual factors impact the dissemination of information through media
• Demonstrate how all factors construct the mise-en-scène and contribute to the narrative
• Apply a range of camera techniques to produce a series of photographs
• Demonstrate an understanding of how print and text/images are used effectively
• Demonstrate knowledge of how graphics impact different audiences
• Develop a print product for a specific audience
• Demonstrate knowledge of the personal and collective responsibilities when publishing online
• Demonstrate knowledge of aspects related to moving image production
• Communicate an original idea for a moving image production
• Compile the preparatory building blocks required to complete a moving image production
• Collaboratively produce a moving image production