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The interim
evaluation is an overview of the product based on the evaluator’s investigation
of its capabilities outside the classroom environment. It provides information
on the subject and scope of the product, its content and appearance, and the
potential benefits it could offer teachers in the classroom.
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| Context: |
The product is designed for Year 10 and 11 students studying media. It could also be appropriate for high ability Year 9 groups and AS media and drama students. The product can be used in an IT suite for students working individually or in pairs, and for whole-class teaching with an interactive whiteboard or projector. Access to speakers, headphones and earphones is useful for some activities. Access to Windows Media Player is also necessary to output saved work. |
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| Technical information: |
Initially I needed help from the IT department to solve the problem as the software appeared to be in conflict with the school network’s anti-virus software. I also needed to reset the laptops’ virtual memory before the software worked. Once we solved these early installation problems the software ran quickly and reliably.The software requires a 16-bit sound card and a high spec graphics card. A list of laptops that incorporate correct graphics cards is available from the manufactures.For some activities the product requires a microphone attached to the PC. To save the output of some student work Windows Media Player is needed. (This can be downloaded from www.microsoft.com.) Technical support is available by email and telephone. |
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| Design & navigation: |
MediaStage has a useful Quick Start Guide interface that takes students and teachers on a virtual tour of the product’s key functions. Navigation of this product is not immediately intuitive and will require the teacher to work through these basic functions before students attempt to work independently. Student activities are also accessed by a separate student activity interface that is organised sequentially by task. The activities are clearly explained but students will need some prior knowledge of media terms to complete them. The style and design of the product is student-friendly using text, graphics, multimedia, sound and 3-D animation. Users can save their work and return to it next session with ease. An online link offers a range of extra support materials, additional activities and performances. Some of the text appears quite small when displayed on a whiteboard. |
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| Content: |
Media Stage is a 3-D animated production studio that allows students to learn and practise media skills as if they had access to film, theatre and television studios. The software also allows students to develop media skills for a number of print-based products such as newspapers, magazines, comics and advertising. Interactive tasks are also available for radio and pop music.The on-screen language is appropriate for students at key stage 4 but students will need teacher support. The user guide for teachers provides a clear visual explanation of the main functions.The main media topics are covered in nine units that can be used in any order. Each media topic can be taught separately and include introductory notes, a differentiation chart, an interactive activity and an individual student evaluation. These tasks include step-by-step explanations, including questions, prompts, theory and explanations.Teachers can use elements of each unit to enhance their own schemes of work and additional printable worksheets can be used at any time. These also include planning and preparation sheets. Most of the activities are suitable for paired and group work but students could be encouraged to work independently. |
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Curriculum coverage: |
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MediaStage supports some of the GCSE English curriculum and is essentially linked to the three major exam boards for GCSE Media Studies, AQA, WJEC and OCR. The program’s activities are produced by Heinemann. Teachers can use it to introduce and develop basic skills in film, television, newspapers, magazines, comics, cartoons, animations, pop music, radio, advertising and practical media production work.The software could also be used to help teach GCSE drama. Three case studies provide a useful means of covering GCSE media coursework. GCSE English language coursework could also be achieved by using the software. Speaking and listening tasks can also be developed as students can be encouraged to discuss and justify their production decisions. Students can also evaluate their work by recording a director’s commentary or voiceover. |
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Learning outcomes: |
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Students should develop media skills in line with their GCSE media course that will help their practical media production work. Most students will gain opportunities to put into practice theories and concepts learned during the course. All students should be expected to gain an insight into creating sets for a film, television or theatre project, and storyboarding using still shots from MediaStage. This will help their planning of production work. Most students should also be introduced to basic camera, editing and lighting techniques.The product contains evaluation suggestions for each unit which range from written and spoken work to showcasing students’ actual production work to their peers. Work can also be assessed alongside a coursework guidance grid for the specific awarding bodies for GCSE media. Most students can expect to explore many areas of media production, develop practical skills and demonstrate their understanding of theory. |
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| Classroom management & preparation: |
Teachers require an average level of IT skills and at least four hours to become familiar with the product’s structure and activities. It is advisable to work through the teacher’s handbook and the programme’s Quick Start Guide before teaching.The product addresses an extensive variety of creative media production skills and media analysis. A differentiation chart outlines the activity outcomes for all, most and some students and each activity is explained step by step, including questions, prompts, theory and explanation.The product is not designed to accommodate special educational needs but with extra support the product can be used by students with lower abilities. Many activities will stretch the gifted and talented. The product offers coursework and assessment opportunities that support the delivery of GCSE media. Evaluation suggestions for each unit range from written and spoken work to showcasing actual production work in Movie Maker. Work can also be assessed alongside a coursework guidance grid for specific awarding bodies for GCSE media. |
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| Summary: |
This 3-D animated production studio allows students to develop media skills by directing film, theatre and television studios. They also learn about newspapers, magazine, radio, comics, animation and advertising. MediaStage assists the planning of GCSE production work, introducing students to basic camera, editing and lighting techniques. Topics include intuitive introductory notes, differentiation charts, and individual student evaluations (ranging from written and spoken work to showcasing actual production animations). Coursework can be produced using a guidance grid for specific GCSE media awarding bodies.Activities are suitable for paired and group work. After mastering the basic skills students can work independently. The software is designed for a computer suite but lessons can be delivered to class with a projector or interactive whiteboard. Many activities will stretch gifted and talented students and provide cross-curricular learning with English and drama.
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