Welsh Baccalaureate - Principal Learning in Creative and Media
The aim of Principal Learning in Creative & Media
The aim is to develop creative thinkers, not specialists in a certain area. It is a new way of learning the context of the creative & media industries and brings learners closer to the reality of the workplace.
It will enable learners to apply their knowledge and skills effectively as they progress into further and higher education and future employment.
Why were the Principal Learning qualifications developed?
Higher Education (HE) and employers feel that not all the skills necessary to be successful in HE and the workplace are being developed in the current education system.
Taking Principal Learning within the Welsh Baccalaureate is a way of bridging that gap by combining the best elements of academic and vocational qualifications. This produces a new way of learning that will better engage many students as they learn in the context of there are of interest.
How were they developed?
Unlike A levels and GCSEs the content of the Principal Learning qualification has been developed in conjunction with industry and HE. We asked companies in the creative and media industries what skills and knowledge were important to them and Principal Learning will deliver these.
Outcome and skills developed
The majority of the creative & media industries recruit from HE, so Principal Learning has been designed to support progression into HE. However, some students may choose to continue their learning with a vocational qualification in a specific area.
In addition to the specific creative skills developed in the Principal Learning in Creative & Media, students will also develop skills such as communication, teamwork and critical analysis.
How does Principal Learning fit into the Welsh Baccalaureate?
The Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification (WBQ) is an established and well regarded qualification whose structure readily accommodates the new applied Principal Leaning and project qualifications as further options.
A new way of learning! NOT a new standard of learning that is:
- Robust - Academically challenging in ordered to demonstrate ability.
- Work-related - Taught in an industry context developing valuable and transferable skills.
- Flexible - Creating Individual learning experiences with the flexibility to add other qualifications
Principal Learning in Creative & Media Project
Learners taking Principal Learning must also do the project or Extended project (at level 3) qualification. It allows individuals to plan and organise their own learning, demonstrating skills that HE say they require. Ideally, the project will be linked to the creative and media industries.
Four Themes
The four themes are applied in the study of these disciplines - which should be combined to create engaging context for learning:
- Creativity in context. Developing an awareness of how creativity is influenced by external factors
- Thinking and working creatively. Providing a range of tools and an environment, which strengthens creative problem solving and evaluation skills.
- Principles, processes and Practice. Developing an awareness of how creativity is influenced by external factors.
- Creative businesses and enterprise. Developing learners' knowledge of the business context of the creative and media industries and equipping them with the necessary skills required to succeed.
How is the Principal Learning qualification taught?
The Principal Learning qualification is a combination of academic and practical learning taught in a project based system with industry employers.
Academic. Both teachers and industry employers are involved in teaching the creative process.
Practical. Employers give real world briefs for learners to work on, ensuring the academic learning is experienced in a work-related context. This also develops teamwork and communication skills as learners work together on a brief.
Who should do Principal Learning in Creative & Media?
Anyone with an interest in creativity!
Level 1 or 2 Students who want a more work-related style of learning but don't want to specialise in a specific area
Level 3 Students who want to develop their creative thinking skills. Anyone who wants to move into HE and follow a course of study that values creative and critical thinking. This might be anything from Graphic Design to Marketing.
Who should NOT do Principal Learning in Creative & Media?
Anyone that thinks it's easy!
Taking the best elements and concepts from academic and vocational qualifications, the Principal Learning in Creative & Media is a rigorous and demanding qualification. It is applied in the context of what happens in the real world of creative and media industries. It will stretch and challenge students at all levels.
If you want to move into a specific area of the creative and media industries you might be better doing a specific vocational qualification, if these are available.
Alternatively, if you know what course you want to study at university and they are requesting specific entry requirements then you should check what they are.
Where can I study Principal Learning?
The following establishments provide the Principal Learning qualifications:
For further information visit the Welsh Baccalaureate website.