UNIT 13: FACTUAL PRODUCTION FOR THE MEDIA
Essential guidance for tutors
Delivery After some initial general investigation of the conventions of factual production in a specific medium, learners could do an analysis of a single factual media product of the type they wish to – or are required to – work on in the production element of the unit. Centres are encouraged to keep a selection of past and current factual programmes and material recorded ‘off-air’ from television and radio, and a good stock of newspapers and magazines to provide resources for this investigative work. Magazines could be for a range of audiences, but it may be beneficial to allow learners to use and be inspired by magazines that they read themselves. Following this investigative work, learners should be able to generate an idea for their own factual media product (which can be in any medium, according to the resources of the centre and the nature of the programme the centre is running). As it is likely that this unit will be done after at least one other specialist unit, learners will then be able to apply their pre-production, production and post-production skills and knowledge in order to realise their idea. Learners within a class group may all work on their own projects or in small teams, though in the latter case tutors must ensure that all members of the group have roles which will enable them to produce the necessary evidence to achieve the unit, and at all the grade levels. Alternatively, tutors may decide upon a format and require that the entire cohort work in this format, on similar products. Assessment A portfolio of evidence for this unit might consist of class and individual notes, appropriate analysis of a factual product, a completed production (with all relevant pre- and post-production work) and an evaluation. Evidence for learning outcome 1 could be a piece of textual analysis showing that the learner has understood the construction, conventions and audience of a selected piece of factual media. This could be written analysis, a class exercise, a presentation (individual or group) or in any other format. Presentations should be recorded for internal and external verification purposes. Evidence for learning outcomes 2 and 3 should be in the form of a completed factual media product, in any media format. This should include all pre-production, production and post production materials, perhaps in the form of a folder of notes. Tutor observations in practical lessons/workshops can also be used to inform an overall grade for this part of the unit. Evidence for learning outcome 4 can be written, in the form of a structured audio or audio visual statement or report, or orally presented. Oral presentations should be recorded for internal and external verification purposes. For some learners a viva voce type assessment might be appropriate for learning outcomes 1 and 4. When more than one learner in a cohort is assessed in this way care must taken to ensure that all learners are asked the same lead questions, and that all are given equal opportunities to expand or clarify their answers. Interviewers must also ensure that questions are not phrased in such a way as to provide or suggest an answer. Vivas should be recorded for the purposes of internal and external verification.
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BF017268 Specification – Edexcel Level 2 BTEC First Certificate and BTEC First Diploma in Media – Issue 2 – March 2007 © Edexcel Limited 2007