6th Feb: Magazines Part II

SMART START

Analyse this advert in the context of Barthes' Referential Code. Write your single paragraph (use a Google Doc), focusing on the use of academic language to make your point. Submit your document on Google Classroom.

EXPLAIN

In today's lesson we will review the magazine chapter in the AS text book (p158-163). You can access a copy of the extract in our Google Classroom. Make your own personal copy (on your Google Drive) and upload to Kami.

Using the Kami annotation tools, add comments to the text book to clarify any information as we go through it. Once you have annotated the extract, you can upload it back to your Google Drive and embed/hyperlink the document on your blog.

MODEL

PRACTISE

Using the knowledge you have acquired through the review of the text book extract, construct a magazine front cover. Use Photoshop to construct your front cover and include the following elements;

• unique masthead
• main image (portrait)
• at least 3 cover lines
• an imperative
• an example of alliteration, assonance or rhyme
• date line
• tag line
• barcode

You must consider;

• typography
• colour scheme
• layout
• mode of address
• paradigmatic choices

REVIEW

1. Did you include all of the required elements?
2. How did you use media language to construct representations?
3. Does the magazine front cover look authentic?

Urgent Requests

Jacques, please update the learning journal monitoring document so that I can assess your progress.

Quinn, you've just about done enough to avoid a work plan but you need to continue to address the issues raised in the monitoring document (you've now missed another lesson's worth of work).

January 30th: Responses to Unseen Text Assessments

This is no Shape for a Girl

Examine my feedback to your 'This is no Shape for a Girl' analysis (returned to your Google Drives). Make improvements (using a different colour to represent changes) and post a copy of your improved response in your online learning journal.


Newspaper Headlines

Examine the marks you got for the unseen newspaper headline assessment. Having read your own responses again, read my key terms list. In your learning journal, post a hyperlink to your original submission and then respond by posting improved responses (just type straight into your blog).

Here are links to your original marked submissions.

Ben

Cole

Jacques

Joe

Katie

Quinn

Common Misconceptions

• Headline / Caption / Masthead

Here are the front pages and key terms that I think you should include in your responses;

Question 1

• Medium shot
• Headline
• Sub-headline
• Gesture code
• Sans-serif
• Double entendre
• Represents
• Enigma code
• Bias by headline

Question 2

• Sexualisation
• Enigma code
• Gesure code
• Reference to Feminist Theory (Van Zoonen); challenge & support
• Dress code
• Direct mode of address (of women in image)
• Two-shot

Question 3

• Right-wing
• Iconic imagery
• Gesture code
• Barthes Referential code (culture specific meaning)
• Mode of address
• Ethnocentricity
• Headline
• Layout (spacing & priority)
• Standfirst

Question 4

• Depth of field
• Selective focus
• Medium close-up
• Stereotypical gender roles (supporting wife)
• Ideology (of the paper)
• Bias by headline
• Caption
• Binary opposition (David Cameron vs newspaper ideology)

Friday 24th January

SMART START

You will be given an aspect of the theoretical framework in which to consider this advert. Prepare your main points (using the analysis document distributed last week) and present an outline of your answer to the class.

EXPLAIN

In today's lesson we will answer the following questions;

1. What are magazine genres? Can you provide examples of each?
2. What is the conventional content of women's magazines?
3. What are the conventions of magazine front covers?
4. What are the key elements of magazine articles?

MODEL

We will examine the media language of magazines from the display, using the product examples to define the language. You may use your phone to photography the key vocabulary. You will need to post these images on your blog.

PRACTISE

Use your portrait photo (taken for homework last week) to construct a magazine front cover. Include a masthead, strapline, coverlines, barcode and a date line.

23rd January

I'm at a meeting in London today, so can't be with you. Use this time to complete the Photoshop Elements tasks from last Friday and catch up on any other missing work (see monitoring document). See you tomorrow.

17th January: Retouching Portrait Photos

SMART START

Use a Post-It note to outline the structure of a single paragraph for the analysis of this Budweiser advert.

Budweiser have updated their historic, sexist adverts to represent women more fairly. You can see the changes they've made here.

THE BIG PICTURE

In today's lesson you will answer the following questions;

1. How well did I apply my understanding of DSLR photography?
2. Can I use the dodge & burn tools in Photoshop Elements to improve a portrait image?
3. How can I smooth skin on portrait images?

EXHIBITION

We will start the lesson with an exhibition of your photo portfolios. How well did you satisfy the criteria? Which are the strongest photographys? Why? We need to identify our winners!

EXPLAIN & MODEL

To answer questions 2 & 3 we will complete the following tutorials.

Here are the resources you will need;

Dodge & Burn Image (Original)

Skin Smoothing Image (Original)

Use the following tutorials to develop the skills required. Follow them CLOSELY to guarantee good results.

PRACTISE

Think you've got it?

Take a portrait image of your own (borrow a DSLR if you wish). I'm only interested in face/shoulders shots (no full body shots!). Now use your newly developed retouching skills to improve the image, making it suitable for use in a magazine. I expect dramatic contrasts, bright eyes and smooth skin (you can use the spot healing tool to remove any small blemishes too; spots, scars, etc).

Extension Task

Look for other portrait tutorials that you could use to develop even more skills to improve your portrait photography. Let's see who can produce the most glamorous image!

16th January: Unseen Text Analysis Tools

SMART START

Let's start with a 5-minute analysis of an unseen source. Consider how media language is used to construct representations in this 1960s print advert. Bullet point your response on a Post-It note and place on our learning wall.

Click Here for Model Answer

THE BIG PICTURE

In today's lesson we will answer the following question;

1. How can I use the text analysis tools to structure exam-style answers?

EXPLAIN & MODEL

PRACTISE

Use the Unseen Text Analysis Tool for print texts to draft a full response to the smart start question. Write your response in a Google Doc and, once complete, share the document with me. You will have 10 minutes to complete this task.

LEARNING CHECK

As a class, we will then review one of the responses, identifying strengths and, perhaps, suggesting further improvements. The remaining responses will be distributed between you and, using a green font colour, you will review them (as we just did as a class). 

REVIEW

On your blog, post a copy of the analysis tools, the smart start image and then your response (with green suggestions, so I can tell which bits came from you and which bits came from someone else).

HOMEWORK

Don't foget that your photography portfolio must be completed and ready to share in tomorrow's lesson!

10th January: NEA DSLR Practice

STARTER

On the post-it provided, define The Rule of Thirds.

THE BIG PICTURE

In today's lesson we are going to learn how to improve our photograpy skills, manipulating the audience's attention and considering elements of composition.

TASK 1

Turn your DSLR to 'auto' mode. Go and take 3 interesting photographs to share with the group. Consider portraits, nature, buildings, etc. Be as creative as possible.

EXPLAIN

We are now going to discover what happens when you take the camera out of auto mode! As I explain, you will discover the answer to the following questions;

1. What are the elements I must consider to achieve the correct exposure?
2. How does focal length affect the angle of view and magnification?
3. How can I use aperture (f-stop) to manipulate background blur & brightness?
4. What is meant by the depth of field? How can I manipulate the depth of field?
5. How do I manipulate the camera's sensitivity to light? (ISO)
6. What are camera modes and how can they help me to be creative?
7. How do I use shutter speed to manipulate sharpness?
8. How can I combine ISO, aperture & shutter speed to achieve great results?

We will use extracts from the DSLR photography guide to help us.

MODEL

I'll take your portrait, manipulating the elements of the exposure triangle to change outcomes.

PRACTISE

Use you new understanding to build a portfolio of images. Your portfolio must include;

• A portrait
• An animal portrait
• A landscape
• A macro image
• An image with shallow DOF
• An image with deep DOF
• A high angle shot
• A low angle shot
• An ECU

9th January

I am observing lessons with the great & good from the trust all day today, so can't be in your lesson. Sorry. (I'd rather be in the lesson believe me!)

However, you have two tasks to complete before tomorrow's lesson;

1. Examine the monitoring document and respond to the feedback. Complete any incomplete posts and update your progress on the monitoring document. Those are you that are still significantly behind will need to stay after school tomorrow to catch up!
2. In preparation for tomorrow's NEA practice lesson, read the Basic DSLR Guidance booklet available in our Google Classroom (see assignments). Set up a KAMI account using your school Google account (link below) and open the document in Kami. You can now annotate the guidance booklet, highlighting the most important or interesting information. Publish a post entitled "Basic DSLR Training" on your blog and hyperlink your annotated guidance booklet. If you have difficulty with the annotation app or accessing Google classroom, make sure you have at least read the booklet before tomorrow using the link below. Update the monitoring document when you have completed this task.

Kami (PDF Annotation Tool)

Basic DSLR Guidance (use only if no access to Google Classroom version!!)

What a Good One Looks Like

Let's set a standard for the radio play task. Listen to Katie's submission. Here are the positive aspects you must try to emulate...

• Good selection of convincing sounds that support the narrative
• Excellent balance of sounds (mixing)
• Excellent pace that maintains a listener's interest throughout
• Good use of a jump scare at the end!
• Sounds like an authentic, professional radio play

13th December: Nea Practice Episode IV

Use Audacity to realise the following radio play script...

The dialogue has been recorded for you. You can download it here;

Radio Play Dialogue

 Here is a broad outline of the workflow you should employ;

1. Use Audioblocks to source all the sound assets (sound effects) that you require.
2. Source an appropriate underscore that supports the narrative (parallel soundtrack).
3. Import all of your assets into Audacity
4. Use the 'time shift' tool to arrange all of your assets to construct the narrative.
5. Use the 'envelope' & 'mixer' tools to manipulate dynamics and relative volumes.
6. Once arranged & mixed, export your product as a WAV file and upload to my Dropbox in the usual way.

12th December: Newspaper Summary

SMART START

How about a quick game of Newspaper Technical Codes Blockbusters to begin with?

Blockbusters

BIG PICTURE

We will then answer the following questions:

1. In the context of the newspaper industry, what & who is the 'gatekeeper'?
2. What is newspaper circulation?
3. How does 'readership' differ from circulation?
4. What is the difference between 'soft' and 'hard' news?
5. How is anchorage achieved in newspapers?
6. Newspapers often use hyperbole in their headlines. What is hyperbole?

EXPLAIN

You can respond to these questions directly into your online journal as we discuss them.

PRACTISE

And now the main event... a unseen source test! Use what you have learnt about newspapers, including critical perspectives, technical codes and ideologies, to answer the questions about these newspaper front pages.

A Level Newspaper Assessment (Part 4 - Unseen Resource)

5th December

In today's lesson, we will be answering the following questions;

1. What are the ideological discourses we should consider when analysing representation in newspapers?
2. How is a newspaper report constructed?
3. How do we analyse front cover semiotics?

We will use the following resources...

EDUQAS Ideological Discourses

Construction of a News Report (EDUQAS)

Newspaper Semiotic Analysis (EDUQAS)

We will also be reviewing the work you have been completing in my absence, making sure you are familiar with forms of bias, etc.

29th November: Class Announcement

Unfortunately I still can't be with you today. You have plenty of work to do though...

1. Complete the feminist theory jamboard task (you now have access).
2. Read the newspaper set text fact sheets (in the sidebar) and post them to your own blogs. In the post, bullet point any words, phrases or concepts that you wish me to clarify next week.
3. Submit your newspaper front page presentation (explain everything). If you need a microphone, you can borrow one from music or IT.
4. Complete the 'Newspaper Bias' post, providing real world examples of each type of bias.
5. Address the feedback provided in the Learning Journal Monitoring Document
6. Revise the newspaper codes and the moving image media language (change those reds into greens in your audit post) in preparation for one of next week's starters!
7. Make sure you have read the newspaper chapter in the revision guide (posted last week).

You should also now be able to complete the feminist theory jamboard task. Sorry, I hadn't changed the permissions to 'edit'. Please make sure you have completed this task. Email me if there are any issues with access and I'll send you a personal invite.

It's Parents' Evening next week and Mr Allsopp and I will see you together. Make a 10-minute appointment with him on Monday (CHA students can make the appointment online).

I'm really sorry that your lessons are being disrupted in this way; it really can't be helped and, fortunately, we are ahead of schedule anyway!

28th November: Newspaper Bias

SMART START

5-Minute Analysis Task

Consider the representations in this image in the context of feminist theory. Add you response (sticky notes) to this Jamboard.

BIG PICTURE

WALT: What is bias and how may this be reflected in newspapers?

Here are the results of a survey re perceived political bias of newspapers:

EXPLAIN

MODEL

What kind of bias is this? What meaning does this construct?

PRACTISE

For each form of bias from the list above, present a definition and an example. Here are some resources that may help you;

EDUQAS Newspaper Bias
Wednesday's Example of Media Bias (US)

REVIEW

How many forms of bias can you identify & define?

HOMEWORK

Read the following article...

Notes on the Construction of Reality in TV News Programmes

Online Journal Monitoring Document Update

I have assessed your online journals and updated the Learning Journal Monitoring Document (see sidebar link). Some of you have some work to correct and others have some work to do! Some good quality work in there too though. Please review your personal feedback page in the monitoring document to see what you have to do.

22nd November: Explain Everything about Newspaper Technical Codes

As I said yesterday, I can't be with you today. However, that never stops us does it!

You have 2 tasks to complete:

1. Finish your newspaper front page.
2. Use Explain Everything to present the technical codes you have used in your newspaper front page (record a voiceover and use the annotation tools to signpost codes).

Finish Your Newspaper Front Page

Use QuarkXpress to complete your newspaper front page. Export the final product as a pdf document and 'hand in' in our Google Classroom.

Explain Everything

Use the Explain Everything App, signing in with your school Google account, to present an account of the technical codes you have used in the newspaper front page. Use the annotation tools and record a voiceover to signpost the codes.

Here is a tutorial explaining how to use Explain Everything.

Homework

Make sure that all 3 tasks are complete before the START of next lesson (Thursday). Also, remember to learn the technical codes in preparation for next lesson's smart start! You may also use the test in the previous lesson to practise (schadenfreude).

21st November: Newspaper Technical Codes

A Level Newspaper Assessment (Part 1 - Technical Codes)

5-Minute Analysis Tests

I've posted a link to the Cowboys & Aliens (Genre Theory) task in the sidebar. All of these tasks will be posted in the '5-Minute Analysis Page' in the sidebar. Copy the link and post in your online learning journal.

14th November: Introduction to Newspapers

SMART START DOUBLE FEATURE!

How are you getting on with that moving image media language?

Moving Image Media Language Test 2

And those critical perspectives...

You will be asked to consider this film poster in the context of one of our critical perspectives. You will be asked to support your response, using technical vocabulary, by identifying the media language used to construct meaning. You will bullet point the points you would make if this were an essay question on a virtual sticky note.

Cowboys & Aliens Jamboard

DISCUSSION

Now let's consider the role of newspapers in today's society;

Newspaper Discussion Points

THE BIG PICTURE

In today's lesson, we will answer the following questions;

1. What are the sources of news?
2. How is the news personalised for audiences?
3. What are 'news values' and how do they impact on what is reported?
4. What do news organisations have to consider when selecting what news to cover?
5. What is the media language associated with newspaper analysis?
6. What are the technical codes associated with newspapers?

EXPLAIN 1

To answer questions 1 & 2, we will use the following resource;

News in the Digital Age

For question 1, write directly to your blog.

For question 2, complete the online resource, take a screenshot and embed in your post.

EXPLAIN 2

To answer questions 3 & 4, we will use the following resource;

News Worthiness

For question 3, complete the sorting task, take a screenshot and embed in your post.

For question 4, write directly to your blog, responding to the prompts on the last page of the online resource.

To answer question 5, we will use the following resource;

Newspaper Analytical Toolkit

List the media language you will use to analyse newspapers in your post.

PRACTISE

To answer question 6, we will use the following resource;

Newspaper Technical Codes Flash Cards

You must learn these 20 terms in preparation for next lesson's starter task! Use the flashcards to construct a list of terms & definitions in your post.

HOMEWORK

Additional Reading (Password Protected):

Newspapers