Blog Evaluation

For 13C students...

Now that you've completed your first drafts, you need to reflect on the whole process before attempting the next one! This will allow us to think about how you (and future students) can best be helped in the future. In particular, we need to evaluate the impact of using blogs when preparing for coursework.

Therefore, could you please cut and paste the following questions to your blogs and answer them as fully as possible, providing concrete examples where you can. The deadline for completion is Tuesday 28th February...

1. How easy has it been to set up your Independent Study blog and to get used to posting things on it? Were you given enough support in doing it? What other help would have been useful?

2. How did the blog help with your research? Did the blog motivate you to do more and better research? How? Why?

3. Is it useful having all the Independent Study/blog tasks posted on the Macguffin blog? Does it make it more likely that you will get them done?

4. How often (honestly!) do you check the Macguffin blog? (Remember, it should be at least twice/week).

5. Has it been useful being able to see and access everyone else’s research and planning through their blogs?

6. How do you feel about the fact that your teacher can keep a close check on your progress through accessing your blog? Is it too intrusive and controlling or is it encouraging and supportive?

7. How useful have the comments been that you received from…a. Macguffin, b. other students.

8. How has the blog helped with your essay planning? How useful was the blog when it came to writing the essay? Do you think your first draft is better because you have used a blog?

9. How would you evaluate the quality of your blog? What could you have done better?

10. Do you think you will get a better final grade for your independent study through having used a blog?

11. Which are the best three blogs? Why?

12. Do you think next year’s Year 13s would benefit from setting up an Independent Study blog?

13. Are there any negative aspects to preparing for an Independent Study using a blog?

14. What could be done to improve teaching and/or learning in future through blogs?

15. Overall, are you pleased that we used blogs? Has it been interesting and enjoyable? Why? Why not?

Genre Film Club

For 13C and 13D students…

We will be running a compulsory Genre Film Club (for your Module 4 exam) over this next half term. It is vital that you attend the once (or twice) weekly film showings (on either a Tuesday or Thursday) as without doing this you will not be able to follow what happens in the lessons each week or contribute to the discussions. Also, it’s far less scary watching with friends!

Please don’t say: “I’ve seen it already” because we’ve heard it already. Each performance will be in E01 and will start at 3.30pm promptly. Registers will be taken and you will be expected to take notes so bring pen and paper.

Make sure you put all the following dates in your diaries and seek to cancel and re-arrange any prior appointments you may already have…your A Levels must be your priority!!

• Thur 23-02

Psycho (1960, Alfred Hitchcock, 109 mins.)

• Tue 28-02

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974, Tobe Hooper, 83mins.)

• Tue 07-03

Halloween (1978, John Carpenter, 91 mins.)

• Thur 16-03

Friday the13^th (Sean S. Cunningham, 1980, 95 mins.)

• Tue 21-03

A Nightmare on Elm Street (Wes Craven, 1984, 91 mins.)

• Thur 23-03

Scream (Wes Craven, 1996, 111 mins.)

• Tue 28-03

My Little Eye (Marc Evans, 2002, 95 mins.)

Job Advert - Media Mentors

• Do you want valuable and rewarding paid work?

• Are you responsible, mature and capable of being a positive role model?

• Have you got excellent video editing skills?

We invite Year 13 students to apply for the post(s) of Media Studies Student Mentors. The appointment(s) are intended to improve the provision of video editing support for Year 12s undertaking their production coursework.

Two successful A2 students - to be selected at formal interview - will work in the video editing suite on Mondays to Fridays (one from 8am to 9am, and the other from 3.30pm to 5.30pm) starting on 27-02-06 for a total of 10 weeks at a rate of £7.50/hour for each student.

The students will only work (and be paid) when necessary as there are likely to be some occasions when they are not needed. They will report directly to Mr. Bush, Mr. Munro or Mr. Baboo, one of whom will be on call every day to direct them, help out with any problems and lock up at the end of the sessions.

Tasks will include...

• Checking and trouble-shooting camera equipment

• Starting up and shutting down PCs

• Providing support to AS students with the use of Adobe Premiere

• Offering feedback to students about the quality of their practical work

• Maintaining order in the edit suite & limiting access to Media students

• Troubleshooting minor software issues

• Reporting larger problems to Mr Baboo or Mr Azeem

• Keeping the edit suite tidy & the equipment in good working order

• Helping students to source archived music & video clips

• Producing tip sheets and displays to help students use the equipment

• Running off DV copies of finalized productions

• Making VHS copies of productions for the exam board

If you wish to apply for these posts you must write a 300-500 word statement outlining your reasons for wanting to take up the position and the qualities and experience that you think make you suitable for the role. This must be emailed to Macguffin before Sunday 19-02-06. You will be informed by email if you have been shortlisted and those selected will be called for interview during the first week back after half term.

Good luck!