Year 9 imedia

Year 9 is taught a OCR imedia level 1 certificate course. The full specification can be downloaded here. The course consists of 1 compulsory module and 2 optional modules (from a choice of 7). We normally choose the optional modules as a class in order to help manageability. The most popular modules are normally as follows.

Module 1 (compulsory) - Digital World of Media. The aim of this unit is to explore the world of digital media and technology. You will learn about the parts of a computer and how to specify a good one, mobile devices (mobile phones, cameras, PDA's, game consoles) and the World Wide Web including the benefits and potential risks of using the internet.

Module 2 - Creating an animated object. Students will look at different types of animations and then will create examples of each. You will then receive a brief explaining a problem for you to design a solution for.

Module 3 - Introduction to digital imaging. Students will look at the basics of taking photos including how to plan and frame an image correctly. They will then learn how to use PhotoShop to manipulate the image and save in different formats. Students will then receive a brief that will require them to take a series of photos based around a predetermined theme.

All work that is required to pass the course is clearly set out before hand. Besides the software skills each module will teach students the following skills:
- take notes
- compile reports professionally
- manage and plan their time
- work to deadlines
- work to a checklist to ensure all work is completed.

The imedia certificate is a lot of work for the students because we do not have the advised amount of teaching hours available to complete so students have to be prepared to work in their own time. The skills taught in this course are especially important for students that probably won't be taking GCSE ICT. We consider the skills taught are the bare minimum that any student should have in this ICT hungry world.