Investigating the Media

In Years 5 and 6 we have been exploring the concept of Media and how ‘Media can create, alter or manipulate images and perceptions’ as part of our unit of inquiry into the transdisciplinary theme, how we express ourselves.

This theme is an inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic.

Our inquiry has led students to understand that the concept of Media is far wider than just television which was a common early understanding. The boys know realise that there are many different forms of media as they have investigated print media, outdoor media, online media, television media and radio media. They are exploring what makes each of these forms of media effective and have been able to identify how they have changed over the years.

Using the various forms of media to advertise has been one of our areas of focus in an attempt to determine what makes the media effective at creating, altering or manipulating images and perceptions. In doing so the boys have started to consider the features of advertisements that are used to attract their target audience (contrast, connection, salience, branding and many more).

As this unit progresses we will explore Public Service Announcements and the purpose of these announcements in an attempt to understand how the media is used to change behaviours to suit particular purposes. The unit of inquiry will culminate in the boys designing and creating their own public service announcements to promote awareness of locally significant issues that they will explore in the coming weeks.

We look forward to sharing our learning experiences (through SeeSaw and homework activities) with you over the coming weeks.

Sam Watson and Pascal Czerwenka – Year 5 Teachers