MediaStage

www.mediastage.net

KS4 (Years 10 - 11)

Media Studies & English

Description

Published by Immersive Education, who also created Kar2ouche and Krucible, MediaStage is designed to enable Media Studies students to realise a range of media productions in the classroom. The resources are impressive, allowing students to include sets, props, lights and characters in their production. Characters can be made to stand, sit or walk at the student's directions; they can also speak, most effectively using a microphone, so that the character uses the student's voice. Text can be typed in and converted to speech by the computer. The program provides opportunities and support for evaluation and coursework.

Supporting Documentation

The software is accompanied by a clearly-structured Teacher's Guide, which offers a visual explanation of the content and its purpose. I found that taking a hands-on approach and experimenting with the program once I had read the basic instructions was the best way to familiarise myself with the many features the program has to offer.

The Teacher's Guide is also provided on a CD-ROM in Adobe Acrobat format. There are photocopiable planning and evaluation sheets, as well as clear guidelines showing how the program is suitable for GCSE coursework (AQA, WJEC and OCR).

Heinemann have also produced 2 student textbooks for the AQA and WJEC GCSE Media Studies specification that are integrated with the software.

Technical Support

The website, www.ImmersiveEducation.com, provides details of system requirements, guidelines for installation, responses to frequently asked questions and online training opportunities. I tried their telephone technical support and the response was prompt: they phoned back quickly with answers to my queries and sent me a demo disc. Their response to my email query was equally speedy and helpful. Useful website links, as well as hard copies of installation and user guides are provided. It is important to note that a PC running Windows 2000 or XP with a 1.5GHz processor, 265Mb of RAM memory and a powerful graphics card are required to run the program.

Purpose of the Program

This is a 3D animated program designed for GCSE Media Studies. It is intended as an aid to promote practical skills and to provide opportunities for students to demonstrate their awareness of theory. The program is designed to complement alternative technology rather than replace it, so it can, for example, resolve difficulties experienced in producing an authentic set, including lights and sound effects.

Curriculum Relevance

The publisher points out that this resource is not intended to replace other media technologies, but to supplement and enhance them. The program is useful for practical work, evaluation and coursework. MediaStage could be used to cover aspects of the GCSE English/Drama syllabus.

Extent

MediaStage covers the AQA and WJEC GCSE specifications thoroughly. The coursework sections are a real support for teacher and student alike, and the bright, colourful 3D presentation of the materials is highly motivational. Links to student books (GCSE Media Studies AQA/WJEC) and photocopiable planning sheets and evaluation opportunities offer extra support.

Appropriateness

MediaStage covers the GCSE syllabus for Media Studies (AQA, WJEC, OCR). Teachers of English could adapt sections to follow on from and consolidate practical elements of the Key Stage 3 syllabus. It would also lend itself to some aspects of the GCSE Drama syllabus, for example, the practical options such as set design.

Quality

This is an outstandingly high quality product. Creating a performance is relatively easy with the wide range of features available at the click of a button or a click of the cursor: five different cameras, so you can move between scenes; advanced graphics; a huge range of props; fourteen different characters whose behaviour, attitudes and voices can be controlled by the student; and four spotlights.Coursework guidelines are linked to the examining boards' specifications and there are practical evaluation guidelines.

This program can be used with mixed-ability or streamed Year 10 and Year 11 groups. There is clear differentiation: all activities cover basic skills and there are opportunities for extension for 'all', 'most' or 'some' students. Nevertheless, it's not too challenging a task to create a performance at some level: once you have selected a scene you can select props, change the lighting, add characters and choose their stance, etc, using the cursor or the mouse. Students are able to work through activities at their own pace, as the software provides a version of the basic skills and activities. The program lends itself very well to group or project work, and many students with Special Needs could use this program with some support.

This is a first-rate resource, not only for students, but for teachers of Media Studies. It is packed with features which will make it attractive to students of all abilities and enable them to work individually or as part of a small group. The program will empower students to add a professional aspect to their practical work and supporting coursework. The quality is superb and the designers have put together an impressive range of properties to support the delivery of the GCSE syllabus. It is packed full of ideas for evaluation, including clear guidelines for teachers and explanations of exactly where the resource is suitable for AQA, WJEC and OCR coursework.

Read KS4 Classroom evaluation...

Product Overview

This product is published by Immersive Education (Tel: 01865 811000)