MEDIA

SCQF LEVEL 4 - NATIONAL 4

Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to create your own media products, as well analysing a whole range of different media. With a wide range of genres and interests to choose from and an emphasis on personal project work, National 4 Media will not only benefit those interested in a career in the creative industries but develop both intra and interpersonal skills in all young people, allowing them to become well rounded individuals and prepare them for the world of work.

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QUALIFICATION

National 4 Media

DURATION​

1 Year full time/

5 periods per week

COURSEWORK

Analysing Media Content

Creating Media Content

Added Value Assignmemnt

EXAM

This course is internally assessed

COST

£10 to cover costs of the material

TEACHERS

Mr Paterson

WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?

This course makes a valuable contribution to your general education and personal development by providing you with a broad range of skills which incorporates practical experience of creating media with the skills and tools of analysis. It also allows you to develop and extend your interest in the various forms of media from film, television, social media and press. You have the opportunity acquire a range of specialist skills such as scripting, storyboarding, directing, filming and editing, all of which can lead to vocational study, training and employment. It also gives pupils the skills to decode the world around them and let them make sense of how media works to influence and reflect our actions and beliefs.

Skill Development Scotland state: 

Around 100,000 people are employed in the creative and digital industry in Scotland. 

Media prepares you for this world by combining creative learning and decision making with an understanding of the language, systems, values and structures of the media we see every day. You can set your own goals and measure your own achievement against clear standards.  This course gives you the opportunity to explore and share your own interests in genre and forms with others and most importantly gives you the tools to make your own media products. If you are excited by this and enjoy independent project work, then this is the course for you.

The need and benefits of studying

the media.

The opportunities developing in

media in Scotland.

What opportunities and benefits

are there in the creative industries? 

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wHAT WILL YOU EXPERIENCE?

Media courses incorporate active learning to engage pupils through activities such as creating, analysing, and understanding drama. Collaborative tasks and a strong focus on independent work in project form suits all styles of learning and prepare students for the world of work. 

This style of active learning is also very popular with students and most enjoy, and look forward to, going to their classes. 

Taking media will give pupils the opportunity to explore all areas from language to how people are represented to values of business of media. Opportunities to visit media organisations and viewing of a range of media forms and genres are part of the wider experience that pupils can benefit from.

The course assessment consists of: 

Analysing Media Content:

Carry out straightforward analysis of media content by:

1. Describing media content in some detail

2. Describing media contexts in some detail

3. Describing the relationship between media content and context

4. Applying knowledge of the relevant key aspects of media literacy

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Creating Media Content:

Create straightforward media content by:

1. Planning and developing ideas in response to a negotiated brief

2. Using production skills appropriate to the media content and context

3. Commenting on the production process

4. Applying knowledge of relevant key aspects of media literacy

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Added Value – Assignment:

Carry out an assignment which shows that candidates can analyse and create straightforward media content

1. Generating ideas in response to a brief

2. Researching and analysing media content relevant to the brief, using appropriate key aspects of media literacy

3. Planning and creating media content, carrying out at least one specific production role

Reflecting on the process and product

KEY FACTS

Everything you need to know before selecting this course

entry requirements

There are no specific entry requirements for National 4 Media but you will need a good basic ability in literacy and ideally also studying a course in a related field such as Drama, Music, Music Technology, Modern Studies, History or Art and Design.

what will you get?

National 4 in Media

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The course is graded  

Pass/Fail

progress

Everything you need to know about future pathways from this course

EMPLOYMENT

my world of work

Some typical careers that you might immediately think of include presenter, photographer, camera operator, director, journalist, advertising copyrighter, editor, writer or a technician in sound or lighting in film and television production, an area that is expanding in Scotland but there are a whole range of jobs in the creative industries at entry level such assistants in wardrobe, production, direction, camera and sound as well as sound engineer, rigger,  grips, and runners. Now, there’s a whole range of work in digital and social media such as digital marketing managers and social media editors as well as the endless advertising and marketing roles across a range of platforms.

There are a whole range of careers in related fields such as, events management, PR and press officers, HR managers, publicist, graphic designers, comic writer and artist, location scouts and business administration.

However, most careers that involve working with others even if not directly linked to performing arts benefit from a grounding in media allowing young people to become more rounded individuals, strong assets to a team with strengths in analysis and being creative problem solvers.

Primary teacher, sales, business consultant, nursery nurse, receptionist, restaurant manager, IT Analyst, librarian, local government project officer, project manager, trainer, finance, management positions and college/university lecturer are only some examples. 

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Skills developed through Media: 

Problem Solving:  working independently, resilience, time management, positive work ethic, creative ideas in response to stimuli, location and resource management, selecting and shaping materials, conducting focused research and using technology creatively.

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Leadership: taking responsibility in managing whole projects, building confidence in presentation, directing others, organisational skills. All media courses require you to complete coursework which demands you take responsibility for your own learning and have a proactive, motivated attitude towards your studies. 

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Teamwork: negotiating with others, understanding roles and relationships, goal setting, collaborative learning and management of resources

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Communication: understanding and using visual language, targeting a specific audience, encoding and decoding meaning, using clear and concise and technical language to effectively express your thoughts and ideas when analysing media and in planning and reviewing your created project

Other: research, design and graphic skills, analysis, evaluative and memory skills.

This link will take you to an excellent resource on MyWOW which looks at potential career routes when you select a combination of subjects. 

STUDENT STORIES

Information from pupils who have studied this course as to how they feel it was.