Andrew Burn

What are children of different ages capable of understanding about media? How does their learning develop over time? How can their learning about one aspect of media impact upon their learning about other areas? Developing Media Literacy is a succinct introduction to contemporary approaches to media education. Underpinned by the findings of a major research study into children’s media literacy, it offers clear accounts of the key areas of the media curriculum, extensive evidence about children’s changing cultural experiences, and engaging exploration of effective classroom practice and children’s media work. It covers a wide range of media themes and topics such as advertising, horror films, celebrity, news, computer games and popular television and is illustrated throughout by examples of students’ media productions. Key issues considered include: Rationales for media teaching What and how children might learn about media at different ages Understanding media language, representation, institutions and audiences Changing ideas about young people’s relationships with media Differences between students’ and teachers’ media experiences and preferences Media education and broader theories of learning Curriculum design and assessment. Written by leading, internationally recognised researchers in the field, this new title will be essential reading for all teachers, students and researchers interested in the development of media education.

What are children of different ages capable of understanding about media? How does their learning develop over time? How can their learning about one aspect of media impact upon their learning about other areas? Developing Media Literacy is a succinct introduction to contemporary approaches to media education. Underpinned by the findings of a major research study into children’s media literacy, it offers clear accounts of the key areas of the media curriculum, extensive evidence about children’s changing cultural experiences, and engaging exploration of effective classroom practice and children’s media work. It covers a wide range of media themes and topics such as advertising, horror films, celebrity, news, computer games and popular television and is illustrated throughout by examples of students’ media productions. Key issues considered include: Rationales for media teaching What and how children might learn about media at different ages Understanding media language, representation, institutions and audiences Changing ideas about young people’s relationships with media Differences between students’ and teachers’ media experiences and preferences Media education and broader theories of learning Curriculum design and assessment. Written by leading, internationally recognised researchers in the field, this new title will be essential reading for all teachers, students and researchers interested in the development of media education.

This innovative book explores links between literature and videogames, and how designing and playing games can transform our understanding of literature. It shows how studying literature through the lens of videogames can provide new insights into narrative and creative engagement with the text. The book sets out theories of narrative aesthetics and multimodality in literature and videogames, alongside models of literacy needed for such cultural and creative engagement. It goes on to examine game adaptations of children’s literature; and a series of videogames made by students based on Beowulf and Macbeth. In each case, the book considers ways in which the original text has been transformed by the process of game design, and what fresh light this casts on the literary narrative. It also considers what kind of learning, creative production, and cultural engagement is apparent in the game designs and emphasises the importance of treating games as a narrative medium in their own right. With a unique approach to the aesthetics of narrative in literature and videogames, the book will be of great interest to researchers, academics, and post-graduate students in the fields of literature, pedagogy, and game studies.

This innovative book explores links between literature and videogames, and how designing and playing games can transform our understanding of literature. It shows how studying literature through the lens of videogames can provide new insights into narrative and creative engagement with the text. The book sets out theories of narrative aesthetics and multimodality in literature and videogames, alongside models of literacy needed for such cultural and creative engagement. It goes on to examine game adaptations of children’s literature; and a series of videogames made by students based on Beowulf and Macbeth. In each case, the book considers ways in which the original text has been transformed by the process of game design, and what fresh light this casts on the literary narrative. It also considers what kind of learning, creative production, and cultural engagement is apparent in the game designs and emphasises the importance of treating games as a narrative medium in their own right. With a unique approach to the aesthetics of narrative in literature and videogames, the book will be of great interest to researchers, academics, and post-graduate students in the fields of literature, pedagogy, and game studies.

Curriculum and Assessment in English 3 to 11: A Better Plan provides an overview of the subject in considerable breadth and depth, and offers a clear, balanced and forceful critique of the current language and literacy curriculum and its assessment arrangements for 3- to 11-year-olds in England, and of developments in the area during the past thirty years. The book restates fundamental truths about how pupils speak, read and write English with confidence and control. It describes how English can be taught most effectively, calls for an urgent review of some aspects of the current National Curriculum and its associated tests, and – crucially – proposes viable alternatives. This invaluable resource for those working in English, language and literacy education has a wide perspective and takes a principled and informed pedagogical approach. Based on a series of much-admired booklets released by the UKLA in 2015, this accessible guide to both theory and practice will be of interest to teachers, student teachers, teacher-educators, advisers and policy-makers in the UK and internationally.

Curriculum and Assessment in English 11 to 19: A Better Plan provides an overview of the subject in considerable breadth and depth, and offers a clear, balanced and forceful critique of the current English curriculum and its associated examinations for 11- to 19-year-olds in England, and of developments in the area during the past thirty years. The book restates fundamental truths about how students speak, read and write English with confidence and control. It describes how English can be taught most effectively, calls for an urgent review of some aspects of the current National Curriculum and its examination arrangements, and – crucially – proposes viable alternatives. This invaluable resource for those working in English, media and drama education has a wide perspective and takes a principled and informed pedagogical approach. Based on a series of much-admired booklets released by the UKLA in 2015, this accessible guide to both theory and practice will be of interest to teachers, student teachers, teacher-educators, advisers and policy-makers in the UK and internationally.

Curriculum and Assessment in English 3 to 11: A Better Plan provides an overview of the subject in considerable breadth and depth, and offers a clear, balanced and forceful critique of the current language and literacy curriculum and its assessment arrangements for 3- to 11-year-olds in England, and of developments in the area during the past thirty years. The book restates fundamental truths about how pupils speak, read and write English with confidence and control. It describes how English can be taught most effectively, calls for an urgent review of some aspects of the current National Curriculum and its associated tests, and – crucially – proposes viable alternatives. This invaluable resource for those working in English, language and literacy education has a wide perspective and takes a principled and informed pedagogical approach. Based on a series of much-admired booklets released by the UKLA in 2015, this accessible guide to both theory and practice will be of interest to teachers, student teachers, teacher-educators, advisers and policy-makers in the UK and internationally.

Curriculum and Assessment in English 11 to 19: A Better Plan provides an overview of the subject in considerable breadth and depth, and offers a clear, balanced and forceful critique of the current English curriculum and its associated examinations for 11- to 19-year-olds in England, and of developments in the area during the past thirty years. The book restates fundamental truths about how students speak, read and write English with confidence and control. It describes how English can be taught most effectively, calls for an urgent review of some aspects of the current National Curriculum and its examination arrangements, and – crucially – proposes viable alternatives. This invaluable resource for those working in English, media and drama education has a wide perspective and takes a principled and informed pedagogical approach. Based on a series of much-admired booklets released by the UKLA in 2015, this accessible guide to both theory and practice will be of interest to teachers, student teachers, teacher-educators, advisers and policy-makers in the UK and internationally.

Making New Media offers a series of case studies from the author’s work with students and teachers from the mid-90s to the present day, charting the dramatic rise of new media in schools. Work across a wide range of media is presented: computer animation, digital video and film, computer games and machinima. The author tackles the vital contemporary themes of literacy and creativity, making an innovative argument for the combination of traditions of social semiotics and cultural studies in the study of literacy and new media. This volume should be read by every undergraduate and graduate student, as well as any faculty member, involved with or interested in any aspect of new media.

Making New Media offers a series of case studies from the author’s work with students and teachers from the mid-90s to the present day, charting the dramatic rise of new media in schools. Work across a wide range of media is presented: computer animation, digital video and film, computer games and machinima. The author tackles the vital contemporary themes of literacy and creativity, making an innovative argument for the combination of traditions of social semiotics and cultural studies in the study of literacy and new media. This volume should be read by every undergraduate and graduate student, as well as any faculty member, involved with or interested in any aspect of new media.

Includes CD-Rom 'Intriguing and timely... I whole heartedly recommend this text to teacher educators and their trainees, certainly across English and the Arts, but arguably to all engaged in considering critical pedagogy across the curriculum' - ESCalate `This is a very timely book, firmly rooted in authentic, albeit visionary, classroom practice, that has much to offer to teachers of all subjects, but should be particularly welcomed by English and media colleagues' - English Drama Media `Heaving with ideas...outstanding lesson ideas and inspiring work from students' - The Secondary English Magazine `I really enjoyed working my way through this book... The book is accompanied by a DVD organised into chapters which correspond to those in the book, and it was great to see the ideas and schemes referred to in the text come alive. The schemes have been included which makes it even easier to adapt the work to fit the technology and resources available in your own school.. All teachers of media would benefit from browsing this book' - Learning & Teaching Update This book is for secondary English, Media, and ICT teachers who want to develop practical media work and media literacy across the curriculum. It is ideal for secondary English and media teachers and curriculum leaders in secondary schools, as well as ICT teachers and co-ordinators, PCGE English/Media students, and researchers working on media, English and ICT projects. A range of case studies are presented which show how digital media work, from video editing to computer game authoring, can be developed in schools, drawing on children's own cultural knowledge. It also shows the benefits of such projects in terms of learning outcomes and increased self-esteem for a range of learners. The book comes with a CD-Rom of children's work from the various case study projects, exhibiting the high standard of moving image work, animations and computer games that can be produced with the help of this text. With an integrated approach drawing together practice, theory and research, the book will help teachers to plan for and develop their own media projects in school. It offers advice on integrating media work across the curriculum (in English and media classes as well as in ICT and citizenship), and presents a model of progression which shows how learning can develop from the first years of secondary school through to GCSE level. In line with current government initiatives to open up curriculum boundaries, the book shows how to plan for longer periods of time for these projects.

Includes CD-Rom 'Intriguing and timely... I whole heartedly recommend this text to teacher educators and their trainees, certainly across English and the Arts, but arguably to all engaged in considering critical pedagogy across the curriculum' - ESCalate `This is a very timely book, firmly rooted in authentic, albeit visionary, classroom practice, that has much to offer to teachers of all subjects, but should be particularly welcomed by English and media colleagues' - English Drama Media `Heaving with ideas...outstanding lesson ideas and inspiring work from students' - The Secondary English Magazine `I really enjoyed working my way through this book... The book is accompanied by a DVD organised into chapters which correspond to those in the book, and it was great to see the ideas and schemes referred to in the text come alive. The schemes have been included which makes it even easier to adapt the work to fit the technology and resources available in your own school.. All teachers of media would benefit from browsing this book' - Learning & Teaching Update This book is for secondary English, Media, and ICT teachers who want to develop practical media work and media literacy across the curriculum. It is ideal for secondary English and media teachers and curriculum leaders in secondary schools, as well as ICT teachers and co-ordinators, PCGE English/Media students, and researchers working on media, English and ICT projects. A range of case studies are presented which show how digital media work, from video editing to computer game authoring, can be developed in schools, drawing on children's own cultural knowledge. It also shows the benefits of such projects in terms of learning outcomes and increased self-esteem for a range of learners. The book comes with a CD-Rom of children's work from the various case study projects, exhibiting the high standard of moving image work, animations and computer games that can be produced with the help of this text. With an integrated approach drawing together practice, theory and research, the book will help teachers to plan for and develop their own media projects in school. It offers advice on integrating media work across the curriculum (in English and media classes as well as in ICT and citizenship), and presents a model of progression which shows how learning can develop from the first years of secondary school through to GCSE level. In line with current government initiatives to open up curriculum boundaries, the book shows how to plan for longer periods of time for these projects.

Computer games are one of the most exciting and rapidly evolving media of our time. Revenues from console and computer games have now overtaken those from Hollywood movies; and online gaming is one of the fastest-growing areas of the internet. Games are no longer just kids' stuff: the majority of players are now adults, and the market is constantly broadening. The visual style of games has become increasingly sophisticated, and the complexities of game-play are ever more challenging. Meanwhile, the iconography and generic forms of games are increasingly influencing a whole range of other media, from films and television to books and toys. This book provides a systematic, comprehensive introduction to the analysis of computer and video games. It introduces key concepts and approaches drawn from literary, film and media theory in an accessible and concrete manner; and it tests their use and relevance by applying them to a small but representative selection of role-playing and action-adventure games. It combines methods of textual analysis and audience research, showing how the combination of such methods can give a more complete picture of these playable texts and the fan cultures they generate. Clearly written and engaging, it will be a key text for students in the field and for all those with an interest in taking games seriously.

Computer games are one of the most exciting and rapidly evolving media of our time. Revenues from console and computer games have now overtaken those from Hollywood movies; and online gaming is one of the fastest-growing areas of the internet. Games are no longer just kids' stuff: the majority of players are now adults, and the market is constantly broadening. The visual style of games has become increasingly sophisticated, and the complexities of game-play are ever more challenging. Meanwhile, the iconography and generic forms of games are increasingly influencing a whole range of other media, from films and television to books and toys. This book provides a systematic, comprehensive introduction to the analysis of computer and video games. It introduces key concepts and approaches drawn from literary, film and media theory in an accessible and concrete manner; and it tests their use and relevance by applying them to a small but representative selection of role-playing and action-adventure games. It combines methods of textual analysis and audience research, showing how the combination of such methods can give a more complete picture of these playable texts and the fan cultures they generate. Clearly written and engaging, it will be a key text for students in the field and for all those with an interest in taking games seriously.

Andrew Burn and David Parker outline how multi-modality theory can be used to analyze texts whicj employ multiple semiotic modes and media, in such a way that a balanced consideration is given to the characteristics of each mode, how they integrate, and how they distribute textual functions between them. The medthods are rooted in a view of significance as dependent on social context, and fulfilling the social and communicative interests of both producers of textual production and use contingent upon digital formats will also be a determining content of the analytical method.