Links

Below is a selection of useful links to media education information on the web. The links are divided into categories; click on the category name in the dropdown box to jump to that section.

Key MediaNet Partners

Screen WM
www.screenwm.co.uk
The regional screen agency. Their aim is to support, promote and develop the screen media industry through areas such as production, education, exhibition, archive and skills development.

The Rural Media Company
www.ruralmedia.co.uk
The Rural Media Company works throughout the UK. We combine community and informal education, training and advocacy with the professional skills of the media industry.

The UK Film Council
www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk
The UK Film Council is the Government-backed strategic agency for film in the UK. It aims to stimulate a successful, vibrant film industry and to promote the widest possible enjoyment and understanding of cinema throughout the UK.

Funding and Support

Screen West Midlands
www.screenwm.co.uk/funding
The regional screen agency. Their aim is to support, promote and develop the screen media industry through areas such as production, education, exhibition, archive and skills development.

First Light
www.firstlightmovies.com/funding
First Light fund and inspire the making of short films by young people in the UK, reflecting the diversity of their lives. They have enabled over 9,000 young people between the ages of five and 18 to write, act, shoot and produce over 600 films. Working with filmmakers and organisations, First Light films cover many topics and genres, and make use of accessible digital film technology.

Mediabox
www.media-box.co.uk
Mediabox offers disadvantaged 13-19 year olds in England the opportunity to develop and produce creative media projects, using film, television, print, radio or online platforms. Mediabox is for young people to: express their own opinions, ideas and views, gain new skills, encourage creativity, boost personal development and get their voices heard. Applications for grants of up to £1,000 can be made by individuals or groups of individuals at any time. Organisations that work with young people can apply for up to £80,000. The next funding deadline is 18th September and Mediabox will run until March 2008.

Arts Council
www.artcouncil.org.uk
Arts Council England works to get more art to more people in more places. They develop and promote the arts across England, acting as an independent body at arm's length from government. It offers a wide range of different funds but only some media forms, such as artist's film and video and photography are eligible.

GrantNet
www.grantnet.com
GRANTnet is a free to use funding search site provided by the market-leading grants database, GRANTfinder.

Fundraising For a Community Project
www.howtobooks.co.uk
This book by Simon Whaley is a packed full of useful tips and advice for groups making funding applications. The book is available for £10.99 from bookshops or the above website.

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Media Teaching Resources

Film Street
www.filmstreet.co.uk
Film Street is the film education website for 6-9 year olds run by First Light Movies. The site includes resources for children to learn about film either by themselves or supported by teachers though a range of interactive activities and film clips. The site includes a detailed section for teachers and parents including resources and advice on linking its resources with the Primary Framework for Literacy.

Creative Archive Licence Group
creativearchive.bbc.co.uk
The home of all organisations who support the release of audio visual material available for use under the Creative Commons Licence. Links to sites offering a wide range of material that can be downloaded and used to produce film and creative media projects.

What's This Channel Four? Teachers Resources
www.channel4.com/learning/microsites/W/wtc4/teachers
This web site examines the role of a national media institution in the production of media texts for a range of media audiences. For those who wish to engage students with institutional case studies, this site and the accompanying television series should provide a range of up-to-date and stimulating material.

Breaking The News
www.channel4.com/learning/breakingthenews
This course has been designed from a Media Studies perspective and has a holistic approach. It can be summed up by a concept map which sees all media (including the news) as involved in a circuit of meaning. The course is designed for students aged 14-19 who are studying English, Media Studies, Citizenship and related subjects.

Radiowaves
www.radiowaves.co.uk
Radiowaves is a unique international network of online school radio stations created specifically for young people. It gives schools and students a voice on a safe educational platform with a remit that firmly puts young people at the centre, using creative technology to engage them in learning and skills development.

British Board of Film Classification
www.sbbfc.co.uk
An essential resource for students across the UK who are covering the topics of UK Film & DVD Classification, Media Regulation and Censorship.

BECTA
www.becta.org.uk
Becta is the Government's lead agency for ICT in education. This website has practical advice on using and developing ICT in education to raise standards, widen access, improve skills and encourage effective management.

BBC Learning
www.bbc.co.uk/learning
Over half a million pages of news, entertainment and factual material. ‘Useful resources and interactive activities which will help further your learning ambitions.’

Film Education
www.filmeducation.org
A site created for primary and secondary teachers and students using film and new media across the UK National curriculum.

Learn Things
www.learn.co.uk/learnthings.htm
Teaching resources based on the vast Guardian archive, including weekly topical lessons. Use them for lesson planning, homework, and all kinds of research.

Learn Newsdesk
www.learnnewsdesk.co.uk
Run by The Guardian newspaper, the website is aimed at Key Stages 2 and 3, and includes resources that will support a wide range of curriculum activities including daily news articles, photographs for classroom use, curriculum links and an extensive archive. There is an annual subscription fee but a 14 day free trial is available by visiting the 'try now' page.

www.dbaugh.dircon.co.uk/dvineducation
Guidance on digital video in education, including imovie tutorials.

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Regional and National Organisations

The British Film Institute
www.bfi.org.uk/education
The British Film Institute’s education department on-line. This website includes a list of the BFI’s resources for teachers, many of which can be downloaded directly as pdf files.

First Light
www.firstlightmovies.com
First Light fund and inspire the making of short films by young people in the UK, reflecting the diversity of their lives. They have enabled over 9,000 young people between the ages of five and 18 to write, act, shoot and produce over 600 films. Working with filmmakers and organisations, First Light films cover many topics and genres, and make use of accessible digital film technology.


The Media Education Association
www.mediaedassociation.org.uk
The MEA aims to provide members with a comprehensive website that will develop and support an active on-line community, designed to facilitate communication between those teaching media from primary school level right through to further education and beyond. As well as access to a comprehensive database of resources, teachers will be able to swap ideas, ask for advice or simply keep up to date with the latest developments in media education.

MediaEd
www.MediaEd.org.uk
An invaluable site for teachers, students and anyone else interested in media and moving image education in primary, secondary, further and informal education.

OfCom
www.ofcom.org.uk/advice/media_literacy
The communications industry regulator, Ofcom's remit covers telecommunications, internet and broadcasting. They have responsibility for the promotion of media literacy for the government,

Skillset
www.skillset.org/uk/westmids/
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries (broadcast, film, video, interactive media and photo imaging). Jointly funded by industry and government, its job is to make sure that the UK audio visual industries have the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time, so that the media industries remain competitive.

MACE - Media Archive for Central England
www.macearchive.org.uk
The Media Archive for Central England is the public sector regional film and video archive for the East and West Midlands.  Based at the University of Leicester it is part of a network of public moving image archives that collectively preserve the UK's moving image heritage. MACE is committed to working with teachers to explore ways in which titles in its collections can be used in both the formal and informal education sectors.

The English and Media Centre
www.englishandmedia.co.uk
A not-for-profit educational publishers and teachers' centre providing high quality teaching materials and Continuing Professional Development to teachers of English and Media in the UK and across the world

Film Education
www.filmeducation.org
Since 1985, Film Education has been developing the range of its resources and services to respond to the growing importance of Media Education in the National Curriculum and to meet the increasing demand for current educational material on film and film making.

Artists Learning Information Support Service (ALISS)
www.aliss.org.uk
aliss stands for Artists & Learning Information & Support Service, it is a free service for the arts and education sectors in the West Midlands.

The Light House Media Centre
www.light-house.co.uk
Light House aims to increase the enjoyment and understanding of technologically - based media, in particular film, video, photography and creative media and to emphasise their importance to the cultural, social and economic life of Wolverhampton, the West Midlands and further afield.

The English and Media Centre
www.englishandmedia.co.uk
The English and Media Centre serves the needs of secondary and FE teachers and students in the UK.

National Museum of Photography, Film and Television
www.nmpft.org.uk
Founded in 1983, the National Museum of Photography, Film & Television quickly became the most visited national museum outside London, attracting an average of 700,000 visitors each year.

Community Media Association
www.commedia.org.uk
The Community Media Association is the UK representative body for the Community Media sector and is committed to promoting access to the media for people and communities. It aims to enable people to establish and develop community based communications media for empowerment, cultural expression, information and entertainment. The CMA provides a range of advice, information and consultancy, offering support to anyone with an interest in the sector.

Media Snackers
www.mediasnackers.com
MediaSnackers is a site/weblog/project/call to action for anyone interested in young peoples' consumption and creation of media across the globe. The site includes links to their own work with young people and links to news stories mainly concerned with youth using new media from across the globe.

Mediamaker.tv
www.mediamaker.tv
Mediamaker is an innovative programme for the Shropshire region of exhibitions, events and newly commissioned work by contemporary artists in new media. It is a consortium of arts organisations working to present high quality new media arts, to encourage local artists and to develop new audiences.

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Training

Arts and Media Training
www.amtcc.org.uk
With over a decade of experience, Arts and Media Training is a leading independent training and advisory resource for artists and arts organisations in the West Midlands region. They are committed to supporting innovation and talent and to meeting the needs of arts professionals at every stage of their careers.

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Media Careers Information

Skillset
www.skillset.org/uk/westmids/
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries (broadcast, film, video, interactive media and photo imaging). Jointly funded by industry and government, its job is to make sure that the UK audio visual industries have the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time, so that the media industries remain competitive. Has detailed information on different roles and career routes across all media forms.

Media Careers Information Days
www.mediacareersday.co.uk
Gathering support from influential media companies, Media Careers Information Days are high profile events which are a must for anyone who is serious about a career in the media. As well as boasting a wide range of exhibitors, the events enable young people to participate in a host of interactive workshops and to attend an impressive programme of talks, led by experienced practitioners and celebrities.

Fast Tomato.com
www.fasttomato.com
Fast Tomato is a fully integrated careers education and guidance system, designed for all individuals aged 13 upwards who are considering their future career options. It is already used in over 1400 schools and colleges in the UK and internationally.

Creative and Cultural Skills Careers Podcasts
podcast.ccskills.org.uk/podcasts.html
A selection of podcasts talking about roles in the creative and cultural industries including interviews with those working in a range of creative professions.

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Festivals and Distribution

Britfilms.com directory of film festivals
www.britfilms.com/festivals
A searchable online directory of all film festivals in the UK and internationally. Includes details of submission and entry deadlines and criteria.

BBC Film Network
www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork
Film Network is the BBC’s interactive showcase for new British filmmakers, screening three new short films in broadband quality every week, adding to a growing catalogue of great shorts. You can also watch a selection of the very best shorts as hi-resolution downloads in full screen, at a quality similar to a DVD.

First Light Film Festival Listing
www.firstlightmovies.com/festivals
A listing of film festivals screening and taking submissions of young people's filmmaking.

Movie Mail
www.moviem.co.uk
Moviemail is a mail order company that specialises in World Cinema and Cult/Classic films, and can supply any film currently in print in the UK.

Noise Festival
www.noisefestival.com
NOISE is not your typical arts festival. It has no physical location; the central hub of activity takes place on the NOISE website and across the media - print, television, radio and online. NOISE exhibits the very best in creative talent from people 25 and under - any creative work that can be presented digitally. The NOISE website acts as the gateway to submissions which means that entrants can live anywhere in the UK and it's free to take part.

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Education

Department for Education and Skills
www.dfes-uk.co.uk
The government department responsible for education and skills policy in the UK.

National Curriculum
www.nc.uk.net/home.html
The site aims to help teachers teach the National Curriculum for England.

Schools Net
www.schoolsnet.com
Schools guide, lesson plans, jobs and more.

Enyan - The English National Youth Arts Network
www.enyan.co.uk
ENYAN is a membership body designed to create connections throughout the diverse youth arts sector at national, regional and grass roots levels. ENYAN aims to raise the profile and support for youth arts within England, and by doing so create more opportunities for the creative and personal development of young people, especially young people at risk.

Infed
www.infed.org
The informal education homepage created by the Rank Foundation, YMCA George Williams College and PDRU. Part of the National Grid for Learning (NGfL).

PVA
www.pva.org.uk
An organisation founded by artists, working to support new art and to provide opportunities for artists and audiences to engage with this work.

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If you know of useful website that we should be sharing with the rest of the MediaNet community and they aren't listed here then email Lou Llewellyn, MediaNet Coordinator on info@medianetonline.org and the link will be added.