Churchlands SHS Media Production & Analysis
Media Production and Analysis students at Churchlands Senior High School say their course has helped them develop strong skills in decoding messages in the print and electronic media.
They say these skills have also helped them improve their analysis and writing skills for the new English course.
Sixteen year-old Kristie McCarthy, who is aiming for a career in film production, said Media Production and Analysis complements the English course, particularly because of its emphasis on the technical and symbolic codes in texts.
“Next term we will be studying photojournalism and we will also be creating our own news bulletin,” Kristie said.
Kristie McCarthy of Churchlands Senior High School.
Gwilym Lummis (16) said his class had analysed the conventions of television sitcoms.
“We also filmed our own sitcom, which included scriptwriting, directing and acting,” Gwilym said.
“In terms of general skills, we have learned to decode advertisements. In fact, we have learned not to be conned by advertisers.”
Megan Thompson (16) said she enjoyed the practical tasks involved in the course, but recognised that because the course could now be used for tertiary entry, the research and writing component was important.
Teacher Neil Harris said approximately 60 students had enrolled in the course this year.
“The focus of the previous course was on practical production, whereas the new course has a stronger theoretical component and an emphasis on cultural values and responses,” Mr Harris said.
“Traditionally, more boys study media in lower-school. The new course has attracted a more even gender mix,” he said.
“One of the research tasks my students will do is select a news story and follow it over a couple of days to see how the different media outlets present it.
“Teachers and students are getting used to responding to outcomes and aspects in the new course. We’re now at the point where we need to encourage our students to focus on reaching the higher levels,” Mr Harris said.
