Jack used various media technologies in his research, planning, construction, and evaluation stages of his coursework. For research, he used the internet, his phone, a voice recorder, newspapers, and WordPress. In planning, he used Photoshop, Word documents, and PowerPoint. For construction, he mainly used Photoshop, iMovie, Final Cut Pro, GarageBand, and a voice recorder. In evaluation, he utilized a camera, voice recorder, iMovie, Final Cut Pro, and PowerPoint to display his questions. He believes his skills with these technologies have improved since his AS work.

1. How did you use media
technologies in the
construction and research
planning and evidence
stages ?
Jack Francois

2. Research
• For my research on my local newspaper, I used the internet(Google) to search up
particular codes and conventions of a regional newspaper. To conduct this I used a
apple mac as this was the only resource available to me. Moreover, the mac was more
useful when it came to Photoshop and iMovie as it allows me to access full creative
material that I may not be able to access on a normal computer with Microsoft.
• I also conducted research on my phone as this allowed me to use the internet anytime
and anywhere as well as being very useful when I had to give or find out information
out on the spot. My phone was a valuable asset to my regional magazine.
• As well as this I also used a voice recorder as it helped me conduct my questionnaire
on what a regional newspaper should include. Using the voice recorder allowed me to
express my participants opinions in first person and not from the third person involving
me typing what they said. This was helped by using SoundCloud to make the sound file
into a mp3.
• The metro newspaper was also involved in my research for the regional newspaper. I
used the Metro to establish the basic structure of a newspaper and also to give me a
brief idea on the dimensions and advertisement it includes.
• Although I used the internet to help with my research, I also used a website called
Word press that helped me display my research to everyone. The website also allowed
me to add videos and sound files onto the website which allowed me to express my full
potential.

3. Research (Continued)
 While I was looking at music for my Ancillary task, I came across a website
named Royalty free music. This website allowed me to download music and
sound effects from the website without the involvement of copyright and
buying it. This was crucial for my radio podcast as the soundtrack playing in
the background is from the website. There was so much to choose from and
would recommend it to anyone that needs non copyrighted music.
 Whilst I was conducting my research for my Ancillary task, I used a camera to
take photos of billboards that I liked the look of and that would help me with
creating my second Ancillary task. This was helpful for my research as it
allowed me to refer to different styles on the billboard and also help me
decide on the type of billboard that I wanted to use.

4. Planning
 To help with planning my main production and my Ancillary tasks, I used Photoshop
to help me visualize how the end product would look like and also to see if there
were any issues in the future with the layout or text that I had used. This was
critical for me as it allowed me to visualize my main production without putting to
much detail into it and because I do not have a very creative mind, it helped me
in future when it came to using creativity such my face with the British flag on.
 Moreover, I also used word document to help with my planning of my written
content in the newspaper. I did this by bullet pointing each subject I was covering
and then would right underneath what I was going to include in that sub topic.
This was very helpful to me as it allowed me to use my full potential and include
all the content that needed to be covered in main production.
 As well as this, I also used Word press to help me establish what I was going to
with my main production and Ancillary tasks. What I mean by this is that it
allowed me to have all my plans in one place so I did not have to seek them out in
my storage space. This helpful to me as it helped save time and also made the
coursework less stressful as I knew what I had to do next and how to accomplish
it.

5. Planning (Continued)
 Lastly I also used PowerPoint to help me keep track on what I would have to
do next lesson. I also used PowerPoint to do my production diary which I
evaluated how the day went and how I was going to implement corrections
or challenges in the next lesson or next session of media coursework. This
was like a life line to me as this is what I used to keep me organized and
help remember what corrections or challenges that I had to overcome in the
future. PowerPoint also helped me keep track of any dates that I would need
to hand in certain work in. This was important to me as it allowed me to
always get certain work in on time when necessary.

6. Construction
 For the construction of my main production and ancillary tasks, I mainly used Photoshop to create my
main production and one of my ancillary tasks. I managed to use Photoshop thanks to the Apple mac
which allowed the software of Photoshop to be used on it. Photoshop was absolutely crucial for my
productions as the software allowed me to freely edit any pictures or shapes that were needed for my
newspaper or billboard and Photoshop allowed me to digitally add the British flag to my face which
saved me from getting dirty and messy.
 As well as using Photoshop, I also used iMovie and Final cut pro to make my radio podcast, which was
one of my ancillary tasks, as it allowed me to edit the DB(which was how loud a certain factor was e.g.
me talking) which was incredibly useful when trying to get the soundtrack I had chosen to be quieter.
 Moreover, I also used garage band briefly to experiment certain soundtracks that I had gathered from a
website called royalty free music. Although I decided not use any of the music that I had gathered,
Garage band enabled me to play about with the music and helped me come to the conclusion that the
music I was using wasn't conforming to the code and conventions of my podcast.
 Another piece of technology that I used for my construction of my coursework tasks was a apple mac.
This was the heart and sole for my project as it enabled me to research on the internet and also
enabled me to create my final products for my coursework.
 Lastly I used a voice recorder to create my radio podcast. This was a crucial piece of technology for me
as it allowed me to easily record my voice rather than using analogue technology such as using a
microphone and recording into the mac itself. The voice recorder was a all in built system which had
everything I need to make my radio podcast a reality.

7. Evaluation
 The first piece of technology that I have used was the camera. The camera enabled me to film one of my evaluation
questions on which the specification states that I needed to use a variety of technologies in my evaluation section. I
believe that my skills have developed from AS, as I believe that I have become more educated with the camera through
experience and therefor I feel this has reflected in my work at A2.
 Secondly, I also used a voice recorder to record my voice on one of my evaluation questions. This helped me display my
evaluation questions in a new exotic way which may different to the competition. I believe that my skill with the voice
recorder has developed from AS, as I have come to terms with the voice recorder and now know how to utilize the voice
recorder and the software that is needed for the voice recorder. I believe that the evaluation questions at AS were harder
than at A2 as there was more questions that had to be answered in detail and also because I had a smaller amount of time
due to set backs on my AS media production. I believe that I have learnt from my mistakes at AS and have realized that I
am more of a soloist than a team player on which I like to know everything that needs to be completed or revisited for
improvements.
 Thirdly, I have also used iMovie and final cut pro to edit some of my evaluation questions. The software has enabled me to
improve my quality of the evaluation question. I believe that my knowledge of iMovie and final cut pro have massively
improved since AS. I believe this as I felt that at AS I relied to much on my colleagues on which brought my total grade
down. But at A2 I have to be self reliant and that enabled me to research how to use iMovie and Final cut pro, improving
my knowledge and the standard of work that I am capable of doing.
 Lastly, I also used Microsoft PowerPoint to display some of my media evaluation questions. Microsoft power point played a
important role in my coursework and evaluation as it enabled me to display my work in professional manor. I believe that
my knowledge of PowerPoint has advanced a lot from AS as I have managed to improve my literacy skills and my note
taking skills. I have learnt how to layout my work in a organized fashion. As well as this, I have learnt how to use the
themes and animations on the PowerPoint so that it looks more professional to the person reading it and I have also
adapted the themes to fit my target audience.