January assessment learner response

 1) Type up your feedback in full (you don't need to write the mark and grade if you want to keep this confidential).

Total = 12 = E

WWW: Your unseen analysis in Q1 makes a range of good points which is a key skill for this paper. Now you need the knowledge of terminology and theory to back that up. 

EBI: Q2 + Q3 are holding you back here. Revise industry terminology and PSB. In Q4, you need to develop a more critical perspective in questioning theories or explaining the other side of the argument. You don't mention the theory in the question - Gerbner's cultivation theory. Revise this. 

2) Read the mark scheme for this assessment carefully. Identify at least one potential point that you missed out on for each question in the assessment.

Q1: The image of Stormzy constructs a range of meanings. The medium shot sees Stormzy looking down, not making eye contact with the audience. This is somewhat unconventional for tour posters and music promotion. The image perhaps offers connotations of vulnerability which subverts black male stereotypes in the media.

Q2: Diversification, Diversification means companies can embrace new technology and find new revenue streams e.g. music industry and streaming

Q3: FOR: Public service broadcasting maintains quality standards and audiences appreciate the quality and consistency of BBC, ITV and Channel 4. PSB channels still dominate audience ratings even after digital fragmentation. TV remains at the heart of the country and the collective experience of television is vital to maintain in British society.

AGAINST: Public service broadcasting creates a market that commercial broadcasters can’t fairly compete in – they are against channels that do not need to attract large ratings to survive.

Q4: Gerbner’s cultivation theory suggested that heavy TV viewers developed ‘mean world syndrome’ and saw society as far more dangerous than it actually is. This could be considered a significant damaging effect. It could be argued the internet exacerbates this.

3) On a scale of 1-10 (1 = low, 10 = high), how much revision and preparation did you do for this assessment? You may also want to think here whether you had completed all the original blog tasks from last term before doing the assessment.

1 = This is because all i did was read over previous notes which isn't enough however i'm not too sure how to revise for media. I have completed all previous blog tasks though. 

4) Look at your answer for Question 2. Did you manage to write about three different strategies and three different benefits? It's vital you read the question and follow it exactly.

In question 2, i left it blank as i wasn't sure what it was asking for and my mind just went blank. I was also not familiar with that tgype of question so it overwhelmed me. 

5) Look at your answer for Question 3. Did you follow the question guidance and write about both the BBC and commercial broadcasters? What could you have added to this answer to reach a higher mark?

In question 3 i answered it based on the knowledge that i remembered and i didn't really evaluate which could potentially boost my mark further. 

6) Now look over your mark, teacher comments and the mark scheme for Question 4 - the 20 mark essay question on media effects theory. Write a new paragraph for this question based on the suggested theories/answers in the mark scheme. Make sure it is an extensive, detailed paragraph focused on the question and offering examples from the wider media. 

Hypodermic needle theory – largely discredited but perhaps becoming relevant again in era of ‘fake news’ and echo chambers. This would also support idea media has damaging effect on audiences. Two-step flow theory – audiences are more likely to respond to people rather than media institutions so opinion leaders in the media are crucial in influencing opinion and audience responses. Could still have damaging effect depending on political viewpoint e.g. celebrities or columnists who court controversy and deliberately seek to offend (Katie Hopkins etc.) Cultivation theory (Gerbner) suggests that watching TV will, over a period of time, influence the audience’s ideas and perceptions of everyday life. This could be argued to be damaging to audiences if content is inappropriate or violent. However, UK television is regulated by Ofcom to protect audiences (particularly young people) from inappropriate content. Moral panic (Cohen) could be used to argue that the media does not have a damaging effect on audiences – it is just a convenient scapegoat to blame for issues in society. E.g. poverty, violence, gun crime etc.