Digital Creative Media Production Level 1/2 BTEC (Edexcel)

[naem]

Can somebody tell me something about this BTEC?

It is being offered as a GCSE choice option choice at DDs school. She is otherwise taking all GCSEs - English (lang + Lit), Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology (whether she takes triple or double award will be determined by Year 10, depending on how well she does, but she is choosing subjects now for Year 9. Given her current science results, it is likely to be triple), RE, Geography and an MFL (probably French). She has one more GCSE choice (she originally put down another MFL, as she didn't know what else to do, as none of the other options appealed to her, but she has started wondering about this one).

She has the option to change and this BTEC, is one of the subjects offered, but the information we were given on it is very sketchy, and the parents evening on choices didn't go into any detail on any of the subjects, nor were we able to talk to the subject teacher. Unlike most of the other offers, this doesn't seem to be anything that builds on what is taught in KS3, so we feel a bit clueless about it.

Has anybody had any experience taking it? What was their experience? How is it assessed?

They do it at my DCs' school, I'll ask ds2 what his mates think (usually a good barometer)

Thanks clary that would be great.

Hi, my daughter is doing an extended Level 2 BTEC in Creative Media Production(Edexcel) at the moment. I imagine it is fairly similar to what's on offer at your DD's school.

The BTEC is taught as a series of modules where they complete a creative assignment in each module so DD has created a movie poster, album cover, opening credits sequence and so on. It combines photography, film-making, graphic design and art/sketching. So for example, in an early assignment she learned the basics of Photoshop, and then went on to sketch/storyboard her creative work, then produced a finished piece using photography and image manipulation in Photoshop. They also do some general modules on media theory/media research.

The BTEC approach is continuous assessment, where you are assessed on each module against a very clear set of criteria. So it's a kind of drip, drip drip approach. DD loves it - she is creative but is terrible at final exams. I also get the impression that it doesn't require the amount of pain and effort that GCSE Art would do. It would suit someone who is interested in film-making and photography. A lot depends on the tutor (DD's tutor is excellent) so I would ask how past pupils have done on it - a good tutor should have students with excellent results.

Thanks for this rogueelement.
It does sound interesting. DD had originally wanted to do photography GCSE, but it is no longer offered at her school (it was when we toured the school when she was in Year 5). She doesn't want to do FIne Art though, which is on offer.
How much of it is working to a spec though? DDs interest in photography is very much scenery and wildlife, she is forever photographing flowers and sunsets and clouds and trying to get effects. I think she would enjoy learning about photoshop for that reason. But if it is about producing a commercial eg advertisement, I wonder if it would appeal.

I meant to come back on this earlier! It is indeed all about specs but on DD's course there is wide personal interpretation. She was quite similar - didn't want to do Art, originally wanted to do Photography, forever taking arty pictures. Now absolutely loves it, and is thinking about graphic design as a career.Her first assignment marks have started to come back and she's had her first Distinction - very excited by that! (in terms of assessment, it's all done and dusted by the start of exam season which is also a bonus).

From what I can see, it's a good basis for studying media, design subjects or photography at A level/Level 3, as an alternative to GCSE Art. Would be good to actually speak to the tutor and find out about the course and who does it but based on what you've said about her interests I think she'd enjoy it. Plus she has lots of other standard academic GCSE subjects in addition.