This document discusses the concept of digital literacy and the importance of teaching students the "language of the screen." The speaker, George Lucas, argues that just as students who graduate without being able to read and write would be considered illiterate, students who are not taught how to create and express themselves using digital technologies and media could also be considered illiterate in today's world dominated by screens and online content. He believes the digital divide is less about access to technology and more about who has the skills and knowledge to make use of the new digital "language" of sounds, images, and screens.

1. "When people talk to me about the digital divide, I think of it not so
much about who has access to what technology as about who
knows how to create and express themselves in the new language
of the screen. If students aren't taught the language of sound and
images, shouldn't they be considered as illiterate as if they left
college without being able to read and write?"
George Lucas, filmmaker

2. A LEVEL MEDIA STUDIES
Taster/Induction Session

3. FORMS
AUDIENCE
REPRESENTATION
INC. HEGEMONIC
INSTITUTIONS
INC. VALUES
FEMINISM
& POST-FEMINISM
VOYEURISM
DISMEMBERMENT
MALE GAZE
CAPITALISM
CODES & CONVENTIONS
DOMINANT & PREFERRED
READINGS
SEXISM
Theories & concepts we could apply to this
piece of promotional material

4. In A Level Media Studies, we learn about all of these
theories and concepts, along with many, many more.
However, we start by understanding what we call the four
key concepts;
Audiences, Representations, Forms & Institutions
Coincidently, these make up the key areas of study for
your AS exam…

5. LET’S LOOK AT HOW THE
COURSE IS STRUCTURED

6. LET’S LOOK AT HOW THE
COURSE IS STRUCTURED
Each year you will sit one
exam worth 50% of the
overall grade for that year (or
25% of the overall 2 year A -
Level).
The other 50% is from one
large piece of coursework
each year.

7. AS

8. A2

9. HTTP://FILESTORE.AQA.ORG.
UK/SUBJECTS/AQA-2570-W-
SP-15.PDF
More information online at:

11. NEXT STEPS?
Media studies has proved a successful choice for students so far,
with students generally over-achieving against target grades. Half of
our students so far have at least expressed a desire to pursue a
career in media e.g.;
Terence (pred. A) - Going to Greenwich Uni to study Film Production
Hannah (pred. B) - Also going to Greenwich to study Media Studies
BA
Media studies naturally leads to careers in journalism, marketing,
advertising and public relations. But an awareness of how the world
of media works can also support other careers such as a law,
education, business, IT and social work.

12. TASK
In groups, prepare a diagram using the sugar paper & pens
provided to demonstrate what you think Media Studies AS
will involve and is about;
Make sure you include examples that refer to specific
media products (e.g. TV, film, magazines etc.)

13. WE HAVE A BLOG…
Please visit
http://oae-media-blog.com
This is a joint project exclusive to A Level Media studies students
and teachers. It is used to
Share ideas, make observations, vent, submit work, revise,
help, assist, aid, guide…
Those of you who still want to do Media in September (and get
the required grades), will be able to sign up and contribute.

14. READING LIST
It is strongly suggested that you
purchase a copy of these books;
• AQA Media Studies, Burton,
J. Nelson Thornes, ISBN 978-
0-7487-9814-8
• Media Studies Unit 2
Creating Media, Phillip Alan
Updates, ISBN 978-0-340-
98714-8
• Media Studies AS & A2
Revision Express, Pearson,
ISBN 978-1-4082-0661-4
But some copies of these and a
few others are generally available
to borrow.
A full copy of the reading list can
be found on the blog - under the
reading list hyperlink in the menu.

15. SUMMER TASK
Visit the blog (oae-media-blog.com) and
find an article that you find interesting.
Prepare a similar article (500 word-ish)
about a media text you that
watch/read/use. The article needs to be
about why you enjoy it.
This will be checked in your first lesson
back, during which you will make it your
first blog post.
Enjoy the long holiday! But….