Explore these two videos

Let's explore how different types of media are designed for specific purposes and audiences.

Explore the following TVO Kids videos.

The first video is an episode of Numberblocks. The title of the episode is "The Whole of Me." In this episode, the Numberblocks explore how numbers can be split into smaller numbers.

The second video is an episode of the Homework Zone. In this episode, Teacher Shahana teaches us about improper and mixed fractions.

The topic for these two videos is similar. They are both about mathematics. The purpose is also similar. The two videos were created to teach an audience about a concept in math.

Media types and uses

There are many different types of media, and many different uses for them. Explore the following poster, which has a very specific purpose.

Choosing a form to fit the purpose

When designing a media text, the designer must first decide which type of media is best for the purpose and the target audience.

Imagine that you are in charge of communicating information about an upcoming Science Fair to a target audience. You must create a type of media to share the information.

Choose and design one of the following: a flyer, podcast/transcript, poster, or a virtual advertisement. A poster is a type of media that is often posted on a wall or the side of a building. A flyer can be digital or paper and is often given to a person for them to keep. A virtual advertisement is short, like a commercial. A podcast/transcript is longer. This allows for more time for explanations and more additional information to be communicated.

The target audience for the Science Fair are grade 4-6 students. The purpose of the media texts (poster, flyer, podcast, and virtual ad) is to:

• communicate the time, date, and location of the fair
• explain how to participate in the fair including how to enter, rules, and requirements
• provide information for all people who wish to participate in the science fair

Which media form?

Imagine a media production company where someone left the window open overnight, and a gust of wind got into the office and blew all the design notes off the whiteboard. Now the notes need to be organized.

Some of the notes have a form of media and some have a purpose or topic.

Which media type best represents each topic? Match each purpose or topic with a media type.

It is your turn to design

Design and create an advertisement for an event or cause you are passionate about. For example, perhaps you are passionate about chess, and would like to host a chess tournament. Perhaps you are passionate about animals or the environment.

After you choose the event or cause that you are passionate about, choose the best media form to use to communicate with the audience.

Which media form?

Your target audience is a school of kindergarten to Grade 4 students. Consider the following questions:

• What type of media would most appeal to this audience? How should the information be organized?
• How could you change your method for older students?
• What about the presentation or platform must change to interest different audiences?
• What type of media could be used to communicate with all students? What features could you include?

Plan

Your goal is to communicate with all of the members of your audience. You want your audience to become excited about your event or cause. You can create any media form that you think is best for the purpose and audience.

Use the Media Design fillable organizer or another method of your choice to record your plan.

Reflection

As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, text-to-speech, or writing tool.