Technology and the media
1 Technology and the media play a 3 Through this dimension
significant role in shaping and defining
our culture, and the way we work and
learn. Engaging with technology and the
media can help young people to become
discerning and critically literate in relation
to the media and internet. It can also
equip them with the practical skills to
use technology confidently, productively
and safely, and offers unprecedented
access to events, experiences, opinions
and sources of knowledge, encouraging
communication and collaboration on a
global scale.
2 become authors of content for different types
The technology and media dimension
engages pupils critically in the following
questions:
What does media and technology offer me?
These websites will support the
development of this dimension in
your curriculum:
Can I believe what I see and read?
National curriculum
www.qca.org.uk/curriculum
How can I use and explore
Becta technology and the media safely and
www.becta.org.uk responsibly?
BBC news school report
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/school_report
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4 To achieve these outcomes
young people learn to: learners need opportunities to:
access and use a rich range of technologies, including
use and manage information effectively,
broadcast media, film, printed communications,
learning to question the authenticity, accuracy
and reliability of the information they games, web, podcasts and animation
encounter use technology to create products for real situations
use technology confidently and productively and audiences
to find things out, try things out, develop and
present ideas, and communicate with local
ask and answer questions such as: ‘Can I believe what
I read?’, ‘How can I use technology safely?’ and ‘How
and global audiences can the media be used to benefit society?’
read, deconstruct and critically evaluate access a culturally and historically diverse range
different types of media, including news, of technologies and media products
advertising images, documentary, film
and podcasts consider media as both consumers and authors
reflect on the role of the media in society and
of content
its ability to inform, influence and entertain use technology to personalise learning, working
at different times, in different places and with a
consider the relationship between reality and wide audience.
the world portrayed by the media
of media
adapt to the changing nature of technologies
and media
use technology safely and responsibly.
Case study: Safe and sound online
The ICT team at John Spendluffe School were concerned about pupils’ use of internet chat rooms
and social networking sites outside school and wanted to encourage safe and responsible use of
communication technologies.
Learners were given the opportunity to produce a radio advert or podcast on online safety for 8 to
13-year-olds, using mind mapping, video editing and sound recording software. They were able to
research and understand the dangers of online chat rooms, at the same time as using technology to
find things out, develop and present ideas and communicate a powerful message to their peers.
To view the full case study visit the ‘Curriculum in action’ section at www.qca.org.uk/curriculum.
This case study links with other dimensions:
creativity and critical thinking
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