Foundation degree in Applied Digital Media

Work Placement II Module

Brief (draft)

Work placement II is a final opportunity for students to demonstrate, in a

practical sense, the skills, knowledge and abilities they have acquired over the
course of the entire programme. Unlike the first works placement, this is
based in a ‘live’ environment away from the normal place of work. In this
particular case the placement is at Longhill primary school, in Hull.

In order to succeed in the work placement students need to have

demonstrated the following learning outcomes by the end of the placement:

Learning outcomes Method of assessment

A1. Increased understanding and awareness Mentor evaluation

of the issue identified for the placement
A2. Recognition of appropriate legal and Mentor evaluation
ethical guideline relevant to the placement
B1. Justify the choice of the design of project Student presentation*
to the placement staff
B2. Demonstrate alternative solutions or Student presentation*
proposals to problems faced
B3. Analyze the choices made and evaluate Student presentation*
the choices agreed
B4. Produce an argument to justify solution Student proposal
proposed
C1. Take responsibility for planning the project Mentor evaluation
C2. Undertake a customer needs analysis to Student proposal
identify the most appropriate strategies
C3. Identify specific methods of research and Student proposal
enquiring to collect data for the project
C4. Ensure the proposal contains evidence of Student proposal
legal and ethical issues which are relevant
D1. Present information in an appropriate Student presentation*
manner
D3. Demonstrate the ability to solve problems Mentor evaluation
both individually and collaboratively
D4 demonstrate the ability to negotiate Mentor evaluation
strategies effectively with the work placement
staff

Students are assessed as follows for this module:

1. Student proposal – this is a written proposal which will describe what

the students propose to do in response to the brief (see below) and
why they believe this will be the most effective strategy (20%)
2. Student presentation – this will be a recording of the actual live event
the students produce (see below) (60%)
3. Mentor evaluation – this is completed by a member of the work
placement staff to verify that students have completed the placement to
 their satisfaction (see above) (20%)

The brief (draft)

Background

Longhill Primary school (Hull) has established a thriving and exciting media-
based learning curriculum which enables pupils to experience the production
of multimedia including films and animations. They have equipped a
dedicated room with cameras, lights, editing equipment and other associated
technologies to allow pupils to undertake media production. Currently this
involves a variety of different projects in which pupils undertake various tasks
which include camera work, audio recording, green-screen activities,
interviews and post production editing. These are seen as important elements
in the learning experience of all pupils and the school is committed to
extending these activities in the coming years.

The school currently runs its own television studio (Longhill Primary TV) run
by a selection of year 6 pupils who have been trained to undertake all of the
various production tasks required to produce video news stories. They
currently produce one programme per half term and are looking to produce
shorter newsreel type stories (typically 60 seconds).

Proposed project area

Following the completion of year 6 SATs in May (11th May) pupils will be
available to undertake a new project which will extend the work which has
currently been undertaken by LPTV. This will be to explore and develop a ‘live’
TV news service for the school which can be viewed in all classrooms on a
regular basis. The school is entirely networked and has wireless connectivity.
The project will explore and develop the mechanisms to enable pupils and
staff to run a regular ‘live’ TV programme. Typically this might be a TV news
type event, done once a week to the entire school. This might feature news
stories collected and produced by pupils (pre-recorded) along with live events
such as interviews with various personalities, round up of news in the schools,
address from the head teacher, today’s weather, etc. the details of the content
will need to be negotiated and explored as part of the brief.

The purpose of the brief will be for the students to arrive at a viable and
feasible solution which enables the school to implement a cost-effective live
TV station, if they so wish. The brief will include the following items:

• A written solution produced by the students explaining their preferred

options for implementing a live TV station at the school. This should
include an indication of any costs which might apply should the school
decide to implement their recommendations
• A technical solution for the live TV station: students will need to
experiment with the technical implementation of their given solution
ensuring it is reliable, manageable and efficient. They will need to
 ensure staff and pupils at the school are aware of the technical
requirements and can operate any equipment/software themselves
after the brief is completed.
• A live demonstration as proof of concept. This needs to feature a live
TV show to the entire school which is also recorded for assessment
purposes. It should be competed no later than 30th June 2009 and
should include all of the elements outlined above and in the learning
outcomes for this module

Practical Measures

The University tutor will provide ongoing support for the students during this
placement which will involve meeting the students (online and face-to-face)
and attending the school when this is appropriate or required. He will work
closely with the school mentor (Mr Mark Batty) to ensure students complete
the brief as required and to support the mentor in completing the school
based evaluation of the student work.

Where equipment is required which the school does not already own the
University will try to ensure this is made available, although the preferred
options should try to minimize any unnecessary costs and ensure the solution
is one the school could implement with the minimum of extra expense.

Students need to undertake a minimum of five full days in the placement,

although they can include more. The dates will need to be negotiated by
students with the work placement mentor. Work in school itself will not start
before 18th May and must be completed by 30th June 2009. Students will need
to produce their proposals for the production by 30th May 2009.

Students should keep a log to indicate the work they have undertake during
the placement days. An outline for this will be provided by the University.

If the school is happy with the brief students will be asked to make first
contact with Mr. Batty by e-mail and arrange suitable dates to meet and
explore this project further. They should also negotiate dates from visits at this
point and establish a timetable for the entire placement.

If there are any points which the school wishes to change or alter in the brief
please return these to myself and I will incorporate them into the final brief for
the students

Kevin Burden
Programme Director