This lesson focuses on developing research and planning skills to answer an exam question. Students are instructed to identify two specific examples of research and planning from AS level and three from A2 level. The examples need to show progress, how the skills helped with production work, and be sufficiently detailed. An exemplar student response is peer assessed, with examiner comments noting a good structure but suggesting more concrete examples, especially for A2 level skills and planning. Finally, students complete an essay plan to explain how their research and planning skills developed and contributed to outcomes, with specific examples.

1. 1(A)
RESEARCH
AND
PLANNING
LESSON OUTCOMES: TO PLAN AN ANSWER TO AN
EXAM QUESTION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF
YOUR RESEARCH AND PLANNING SKILLS.

2. 1(A) RESEARCH AND
PLANNING
Lesson Outcomes: To plan an answer to an exam question
on the development of your research and planning skills.
This is your last lesson focusing on Research and Planning.
By the end of the lesson you need to have:
• Identified 2 specific examples of research and planning at AS
• Identified 3 specific examples of research and planning at A2
• Used those examples to plan an answer to an essay question
You will be completing the Research and Planning exam question
in class SOON.

3. SPECIFIC EXAMPLES
Using specific, detailed examples which demonstrate your
progress are essential to being successful.
Using the suggestions on the next slide identify 2 specific
examples of AS Research and Planning, and 3 specific examples
for A2.
Your examples need to be detailed – what exactly did you do?
How did you do it?
Evaluate your examples – how successful was it? – each
example should show progress – what did this help you to do?
Try to link each example to your production work.

4. SPECIFIC EXAMPLES
AS
Analysed music
magazines
Questionnaires
Draft layouts
Production plans
A2
• Detailed analysis
• iMovie analysis
• Still image analysis
• Ancillary analysis
• Audience research
• Script
• Storyboard
• Shotlist
• Animatic
• Audience feedback
Exemplar Example (yours needs to be more detailed)
Example – analysed front cover of NME
Evaluate – helped you to identify conventions
of page layout and genre such as…
Progress – You used these conventions (e.g.
large cover story, masthead, etc.) on your
front cover which made it conventional.
Identify 2
examples
for AS and
3 for A2.

5. EXEMPLAR ESSAY
Peer assess the student’s answer to Question 1(a). Use the
assessment criteria you have been given to help you.
Identify strengths and weaknesses.
Remember the key qualities of an A grade answer are:
• Clear sense of progression
• Evaluation of progress
• Specific, relevant, and clear examples
• Excellent use of terminology
What level do you think the answer is?
Write a WWW (What Went Well) and an EBI (Even Better If) for
the answer.

6. EXAMINER’S
COMMENTS ON ESSAY
A good start with a clear agenda set out right away. The candidate makes
clear what tasks were undertaken for each unit and discusses a range of
research methods, referring to both examples and technical terms. There is
some reflection on the methods used, indicating what might have been learnt.
Some elements of planning are discussed, though this is less developed. The
A2 work is glossed over a little, with less reference to specific examples.
Overall, there is a sense of structure and development in this response, but it
would be better if it were supported by more concrete examples.
High level 3 (B)
WWW: identifies research methods with examples and terminology, some
reflection.
EBI: more specific examples (especially of planning and A2).

7. ESSAY PLAN
Complete an essay plan for the question below (either on the grid
or in your books using the structure on the grid).
Explain how your research and planning skills developed
over time and contributed to your media production
outcomes. Refer to a range of examples in your answer. [25]

8. PROGRESS
At AS I developed the ability to research _identify skill_____________
This was demonstrated by ___identify specific example___________
This allowed me to __explain how this helped you produce a
successful product
At AS I developed the ability to plan by ____________________
This was demonstrated by _______________________________
This allowed me to _____________________________________
At A2 I developed the ability to research____________________
This was demonstrated by ______________________________
This allowed me to _____________________________________
At A2 I developed the ability to plan by_________________________
This was demonstrated by __________________________________
This allowed me to _______________________________________