Why study GCSE Media Studies? (Year 9)

This is one of three lesson plans for teachers introducing Media Studies to Year 9 students:

• Jobs that use Media Studies (Year 9)
• Skills you learn from Media Studies (Year 9)
• Why study GCSE Media Studies? (Year 9)

These lesson plans will help you show students how Media Studies connects to their future careers.

We recommend using this lesson plan at the beginning of the spring term, as students approach their GCSE choices. It builds on the two earlier lesson plans and draws them together to help students make an informed decision. Using all three in sequence gives students a fuller picture: the careers Media Studies leads to, the skills it builds, and why it's worth choosing at GCSE.

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Learning objectives

• Students will understand what studying GCSE Media Studies involves.
• Students will recognise the transferable skills Media Studies builds.
• Students will see how Media Studies connects to a wide range of careers.

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Before the lesson

• You will need a computer connected to the internet and a classroom screen.
• Open the What can you do with Media Studies? page and have it ready on the screen.
• Review the page in full so you know what's in each section.
• Be ready to describe how GCSE Media Studies works at your school - the exam board, the set products, and how the mark splits between written exams and the practical production.

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During the lesson

1. Recap: jobs and skills (5 mins)

• Ask students to recall what they learned from the earlier lesson activities:
  • What jobs use Media Studies?
  • What skills does Media Studies build?
• Write their answers on the board as a quick recap.

2. Walking through the page (15 mins)

• Bring up the What can you do with Media Studies? page on the classroom screen.
• Show students the table of contents so they see the shape of what's on the page.
• Walk through the key sections together, unpacking why each one matters for their GCSE decision:
  • Media Studies at GCSE - What the course covers in general, including the practical production work.
  • Subjects that pair with Media Studies - Which other GCSE choices work well alongside it.
  • Where Media Studies can take you next - How GCSE leads into A-Level and beyond.
• Briefly outline your school or college's GCSE syllabus, exam board, and assessment methods.

3. Is Media Studies right for you? (10 mins)

• Ask students to think about whether GCSE Media Studies is a good choice for them.
• Prompt them with questions:
  • Do you enjoy pulling content apart - working out why an ad, a news story, or a music video works the way it does?
  • Are you interested in how audiences are targeted and persuaded, and in the ethics behind it?
  • Part of the GCSE mark comes from a practical production - designing a magazine, planning a film opening, or building a website. Does that appeal to you?
  • Do the skills Media Studies builds interest you?
  • Do any of the jobs Media Studies leads to appeal to you?
  • Does Media Studies pair well with the other subjects you're considering?
• Close by reminding students to choose subjects they enjoy. Interest and engagement are what lead to good results, and good results open doors.

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After the lesson

• Share the What can you do with Media Studies? page with students and their parents/carers:
  • www.coffeewith.xyz/subjects/what-can-you-do-with-media-studies
• Encourage parents/carers to explore the page with their child and to discuss the contents.
• Encourage parents/carers to also explore related videos and careers with their child.
• Use the School Tools / Activities feature to record the lesson activity:
  • Activity name: Year 09 - Why study GCSE Media Studies?
  • Activity type: Linking curriculum learning to careers