Communications and Media Foundations Uses Range of Topics as Base for Students

There is no need to get frustrated if you are not accepted into the program of your choice due to lack of credentials. That’s because Centennial College has a host of programs designed to bring students up to speed in terms of the know-how they will need to pursue their program of choice or in terms of having a better grasp of what to expect from a college environment or even in terms of ensuring their English is at the level that it needs to be for success in college.

One such offering is the communication program known as Communications and Media Foundations. Its sole purpose is to prepare students, in one year, for further training and eventually entering communications and media fields by offering first know-how and then a practical application of skills. Creative media industry professionals, who understand the importance of including, in foundational studies, creative exploration and experimentation with contemporary digital and social media production tools, guide students through their learning.

Among the specific courses in this offering are: Tools and Processes for Communicators, Introduction to Media, Multimedia, Essential English Skills, Introduction to Media Writing, Exploring Digital Culture and much more. It is worth noting that many of these courses are presented in two parts.

Due to the range of topics covered, students complete an equally diverse amount of activities. To begin with, students learn to use appropriate vocabulary, terminology, basic numeracy and communicative strategies necessary in the communications and media environment. This serves as the base onto which they will build additional skills. Students then move onto write and present in basic narrative formats for a variety of media platforms. Writing assignments encourage students to apply theoretical principles to produce practical, focused written communications and media solutions. To write for media, students learn to research information that allow them to describe media forms, audiences, platforms, and “traditional” and non-traditional communication methods. This leads to being able to create and maintain a forum in social media networks using rich media applications. As a result of all their lessons and hands-on activities, students apply developed English language skills to a presentation portfolio.

On a personal level, the program makes room for students to examine their roles and responsibilities as global citizens in personal and professional life. They also observe beliefs, values and behaviours that form individual and community identities and the basis for respectful relationships.

All of the skills students gain allow them to apply knowledge of communications and media workplaces, environments and practices to develop their job search strategies and early career success strategies.

Students who successfully complete this media education foundation receive an offer to Centennial College’s three-year Advertising and Marketing Communications Management Advanced Diploma program; the three-year Journalism Advanced Diploma program; or the three-year Broadcasting and Film Advanced Diploma program.