0.1.8 - Contexts: Economic contexts

This lesson introduces economic contexts and explores how different Media Products are funded, including premium and freemium models, commercial media, public service media, and the ways technology has changed media funding.

It is designed specifically to support the AQA Media Studies specification at GCSE and/or A Level, but could also be adapted for other exam boards or wider media teaching.

This resource is part of the Mr Media Studies collection, created to support high-quality, structured Media Studies teaching.

A narrated video version of this lesson can also be found on the Mr Media Studies YouTube channel.

The lesson follows a clear, classroom-ready structure based around explicit teaching and guided practice. It is designed to be easy to deliver, with a logical sequence that moves students from initial recall, to teacher explanation, to supported practice, and then independent application.

The resource typically includes:

• A low-stakes starter quiz to recap prior knowledge and settle students quickly.
• An “I Do” section where the teacher introduces key ideas, terminology, examples, and relevant context.
• A “We Do” section with guided tasks, discussion prompts, or checks for understanding.
• A “You Do” section where students apply their knowledge independently, often through written explanation or exam-style practice.
• Sentence starters, key words, and structured prompts to support students who need help getting started.
• Extension tasks to stretch more confident students.
• Teacher notes and/or suggested delivery guidance to make the lesson easier to use straight away.

These resources are designed with real classrooms in mind. They aim to reduce planning time while still supporting strong teaching, clear explanations, and meaningful student practice.

Please leave a review if you find the resource useful, as this helps other Media Studies teachers find the materials.