Platforms Exam Questions

Answer: (A) Can be played on a DVD player (1)

Guidance

Correct answer only

Answer: (A) It can be lost or damaged (1)

Guidance

Correct answer only

Answer: (B) Interactive TV (1)

Guidance

Correct answer only

Answer: (A) Accessed through a browser (1)

Guidance

Correct answer only

Do not accept

• Any other option

Correct answer only

Indicative content

• Mobile device (1)

Guidance

Spelling not important

Do not accept 'computer', 'interactive TV' or 'kiosk' – these are not carried everywhere by the user

Correct answer only

Indicative content

• CD/DVD (1)

Guidance

Accept 'CD' or 'DVD'

Do not accept 'kiosk' or 'web' – these are platforms used to deliver a product, not physical media

Two from e.g.

Indicative content

• Watch broadcast TV channels (1)
• Stream/watch internet video services (1)
• Use apps (1)
• View their own photos (1)
• Listen to music (1)
• Award credit for any other appropriate response

Guidance

Accept equivalent terminology

Do not accept:

Features of the platform itself, e.g. a large screen or a remote control, as these are not ways of accessing a media product

Two from e.g.

Indicative content

• Content can be updated without reprinting (1)
• Saves printing/production costs (1)
• Can be downloaded instantly/no waiting for leaflets to be printed (1)
• Can reach a wider/global audience (1)
• Takes up no physical storage space (1)
• Can be used on a mobile device wherever the customer is (1)
• Award credit for any other appropriate response

Guidance

Accept equivalent terminology, e.g. 'easy to update' for 'content can be updated without reprinting', 'no printing needed' for 'saves printing costs'

Do not accept:

Uses of the app, e.g. 'customers can check class times' or 'customers can see photos of the pots' - TV

Indicative content

Space | Answer

1 | Paper based (1)

2 | Damaged (1)

Guidance

Correct answers only

Spelling not important

Accept 'paper' for space 1

Do not accept online distribution methods such as 'web' or 'streamed' in either space

Indicative content

Space | Answer

1 | Portable (1)

2 | Deleted (1)

Guidance

Correct answers only

Spelling not important

Do not accept 'printed', 'streamed' or 'downloaded' for space 2 – the files are removed so the memory stick can be reused

Read whole response and award

One mark for physical/printed material

AND

One mark for an example/use of paper-based media to carry a media product

Up to two marks for describing what is meant by paper-based media e.g.

Example responses

• Media printed on paper (1) such as leaflets or posters (1)
• Physical copies (1) that are printed and handed out to an audience (1)
• Printed documents (1) used to distribute text and images (1)
• Paper-based product (1) e.g. a catalogue or newspaper (1)
• Award credit for any other appropriate response

Guidance

Accept equivalent terminology.

Do not accept

Online/digital media e.g. a website or app

Read whole response and award

One mark for a characteristic of a kiosk

AND

One mark for how this helps to deliver the media product to the audience

Up to two marks for describing one characteristic of a kiosk e.g.

Indicative content

• (Interactive) touch screen
• Limited functionality/locked to one service
• Fixed unit in a public place
• Content can be updated digitally/automatically
• Screen size/display

Example responses

• It has a touch screen (1) so passengers can tap buttons to choose and view the information product (1)
• It is fixed in a public place (1) so passengers can use the product without their own device (1)
• It is locked to one service (1) so passengers can only use the information product and cannot change or delete it (1)
• Its content can be updated digitally (1) so the information product stays up to date for passengers (1)
• Award credit for any other appropriate response

Guidance

Accept equivalent terminology, and any reasonable explanation of how the characteristic helps deliver the product.

Do not accept

Portable (mobile devices/phones/tablets are a different physical platform) - TV

Read whole response and award

One mark for advantage of using a computer

AND/OR

One mark for reasoning/effect linked to distributing the programme

Up to two marks for explaining one advantage e.g.

Indicative content

• Large screen
• Large storage/hard drive
• Range of software/apps/media players can be installed
• Web browser available to stream/view content
• Keyboard and mouse for easy navigation
• Internet connection to download/update the programme

Example responses

• It has a large screen (1) so viewers can see the video clips clearly (1)
• It has a large hard drive (1) so the whole programme can be stored and watched without downloading it again (1)
• It has a web browser (1) so the programme can be streamed from a website (1)
• It has a keyboard and mouse (1) which makes it easy for viewers to navigate the interactive programme (1)
• Award credit for any other appropriate response

Guidance

Accept equivalent terminology.

Do not accept

• Small enough to fit in a pocket (a characteristic of a mobile device, not a computer)

Read whole response and award

One mark for a characteristic of a kiosk

AND/OR

One mark for how this affects the choice of file format

Up to two marks for explaining one way e.g.

Indicative content

• Limited storage/memory
• Screen size/resolution
• Limited functionality/software
• No internet connection/locked down

Example responses

• It has limited storage (1) so a file format that keeps the file small is chosen (1)
• It has a fixed screen resolution (1) so a format that displays clearly at that size is chosen (1)
• It has limited software (1) so the format must be one the kiosk can open (1)
• It is locked to one service (1) so the format must work without needing other apps/internet (1)
• Award credit for any other appropriate response

Guidance

Accept equivalent terminology.

The second mark needs a clear effect on the file format chosen; a characteristic on its own, such as 'small screen', earns one mark only.

Do not accept

Portable – kiosks are fixed in place, so this is not a characteristic of a kiosk.

Four from e.g.

Indicative content

• Computer/desktop/laptop/PC (1)
• Interactive TV/smart TV/TV screen (1)
• Kiosk (1)
• Mobile device/smartphone/tablet (1)
• Award credit for any other appropriate response

Guidance

Accept equivalent terminology

Do not accept:

Physical media e.g. CD/DVD, memory stick, paper based, as these are media, not platforms

Online platforms e.g. apps, multimedia, web, social media, as these are online, not physical platforms

Four from e.g.

Indicative content

• Booklet (1)
• Brochure (1)
• Flyer/leaflet (1)
• Magazine (1)
• Newsletter (1)
• Newspaper (1)
• Postcard (1)
• Poster/billboard (1)
• Award credit for any other appropriate response

Guidance

Accept equivalent terminology

Do not accept:

Online platforms e.g. website, email, social media - TV

Paper on its own - TV

Indicative content

Answers may include the following characteristics of a memory stick and why each one suits the cookery school's video lessons

Storing the lessons

• It can store large files
• a whole video lesson, or a set of lessons, fits on one stick, so the school can give a customer several lessons at once
• It keeps a permanent copy of the files
• the customer owns the lesson and can re-watch a technique as many times as they like, and does not lose access if a streaming service removes it

Getting the lessons to viewers

• It is small, light and portable
• the school can post a stick to a customer or hand one out at the end of a class, and the viewer can easily carry it home
• It can be used on more than one platform
• it plugs into the USB port of a computer or a television, so viewers can watch the lesson on the device they already have at home
• It does not need an internet connection to play
• a lesson will play in a kitchen with weak wi-fi, without buffering or stopping part way through

Making the copies

• Copies can be made quickly and cheaply
• the school can produce a stick for every customer without the cost of streaming the lessons to them

Award credit for any other appropriate response

Guidance

Each reason must be a characteristic of a memory stick and an explanation of why it suits the cookery school's video lessons

Do not accept

Descriptions of a memory stick as an online platform, an app or a streaming service, or claims that it has unlimited storage – these are not characteristics of a memory stick

DVDs, CDs or online platforms described instead of the memory stick – these are other types of media, not characteristics of a memory stick

Levels

• Level 3 (5–6 marks): A thorough explanation which shows detailed understanding: Two reasons are identified – and two explanations attempted; Shows detailed knowledge and understanding of the memory stick as a distribution medium; Why it suits the video lessons is clearly explained; Consistently uses appropriate terminology.
• Level 2 (3–4 marks): An adequate explanation which shows sound understanding: Two reasons are identified – at least one explanation attempted; Shows sound knowledge and/or understanding of the memory stick as a distribution medium; Why it suits the video lessons is adequately explained; Sometimes uses appropriate terminology.
• Level 1 (1–2 marks): A brief explanation which shows limited understanding: At least one reason is identified – at least one explanation is attempted; Shows limited knowledge and/or understanding of the memory stick as a distribution medium; Why it suits the video lessons is explained in a basic way; Use of appropriate terminology is limited.
• 0 marks: Response is not worthy of credit

Indicative content

Answers may include reference to the following disadvantages of kiosks and why they matter for the leisure centre's product

• Limited functionality / locked down
• visitors cannot use it to book a class or pay, so the centre needs another system as well
• it may not be able to run a particular service, such as playing video of a class
• Hardware may not be capable
• the product cannot include video or animations if the kiosk cannot play them
• Fixed in one place
• visitors can only use it once they are in the building, not before they set off
• One touchscreen, one user at a time
• queues build up at busy times and visitors may give up waiting
• Small screen and on-screen keyboard
• it is harder to search or type on, and harder for some visitors to use
• In a public place
• risk of damage or vandalism, and hygiene concerns on a shared touchscreen
• Needs updating and maintenance
• the centre must load new timetables and repair faults, which costs time and money
• Needs power and a network connection
• the product is unavailable if the connection fails

Award credit for any other appropriate response

Guidance

Credit must be a disadvantage of using a kiosk as the platform for this product

Do not accept

Advantages of kiosks, such as having a touchscreen, being locked down, or being cheaper than printing – the question asks for disadvantages

Levels

• Level 3 (5–6 marks): A thorough explanation which shows detailed understanding: Two disadvantages are identified – and two explanations attempted; Shows detailed knowledge and understanding of the platform; Why each is a disadvantage for the product is clearly explained; Consistently uses appropriate terminology.
• Level 2 (3–4 marks): An adequate explanation which shows sound understanding: Two disadvantages are identified – at least one explanation attempted; Shows sound knowledge and/or understanding of the platform; Why it is a disadvantage for the product is adequately explained; Sometimes uses appropriate terminology.
• Level 1 (1–2 marks): A brief explanation which shows limited understanding: At least one disadvantage is identified – at least one explanation is attempted; Shows limited knowledge and/or understanding of the platform; Why it is a disadvantage is explained in a basic way; Use of appropriate terminology is limited.
• 0 marks: Response is not worthy of credit

Indicative content

Answers may include reference to the following physical platforms and how the interactive programme could be shown to visitors

• Computer (desktop/laptop)
• stays in one place, such as the box office or an information desk
• large screen, so a visitor can be shown the season programme and both can see it
• can run a range of software and a web browser, so the programme can be installed as an app or opened as a web page
• Mobile device (smartphone/tablet)
• portable, so visitors can browse the programme anywhere in the building, not just the foyer
• visitors may already own one, so the programme can be downloaded as an app
• small screen, so the programme needs large buttons and short pieces of text
• Interactive TV
• large screen in a waiting area or foyer
• controlled with a remote control, so visitors can move through the programme
• can use apps and streaming, so video clips of the shows can be included
• Kiosk
• touchscreen in the foyer for visitors to tap through the programme
• can be locked to one service, so the public cannot close the programme or open other apps
• can be updated digitally, so show times change without printing new leaflets

Award credit for any other appropriate response

Guidance

Credit must name a physical platform and explain how the interactive programme would be shown to visitors on it

Do not accept

Leaflets, posters, flyers or printed programmes on their own – these are physical media, not platforms

Levels

• Level 3 (5–6 marks): A thorough explanation which shows detailed understanding: Two physical platforms are identified – and two explanations attempted; Shows detailed knowledge and understanding of the platforms; How the programme could be shown to visitors is clearly explained; Consistently uses appropriate terminology.
• Level 2 (3–4 marks): An adequate explanation which shows sound understanding: Two physical platforms are identified – at least one explanation attempted; Shows sound knowledge and/or understanding of the platforms; How the programme could be shown to visitors is adequately explained; Sometimes uses appropriate terminology.
• Level 1 (1–2 marks): A brief explanation which shows limited understanding: At least one physical platform is identified – at least one explanation is attempted; Shows limited knowledge and/or understanding of the platforms; How the programme could be shown to visitors is explained in a basic way; Use of appropriate terminology is limited.
• 0 marks: Response is not worthy of credit

Indicative content

Answers may include reference to the following characteristics of a computer and how they help deliver the information product to guests

• Not portable / fixed on a desk
• the product stays at reception, so the team always know where it is and guests are served at one place
• Large screen
• a member of staff and a guest can look at the park map or timetable together
• more of the timetable fits on the screen at once
• Full keyboard and mouse
• staff can type and search quickly while a guest is waiting
• easier to enter and correct details than on a small touchscreen
• Wide range of software/apps can be installed
• the product can be installed as an app or opened in a web browser
• A web browser is available
• the product can be delivered as a web page, so timetables and menus can be updated centrally
• Can be connected to the park's network and a printer
• information stays up to date and timetables can be printed for guests to take away
• More storage and processing power
• larger files such as detailed park maps can be held and opened quickly

Award credit for any other appropriate response

Guidance

Credit must be a characteristic of a computer and how it helps the product reach guests at the parks

Do not accept

'Everyone has a computer' or 'it is used widely' – these are not characteristics of the platform

Descriptions of a mobile device or tablet – the question asks about a computer

Levels

• Level 3 (5–6 marks): A thorough explanation which shows detailed understanding: Two ways are identified – and two explanations attempted; Shows detailed knowledge and understanding of the platform; How the computer helps deliver the product to guests is clearly explained; Consistently uses appropriate terminology.
• Level 2 (3–4 marks): An adequate explanation which shows sound understanding: Two ways are identified – at least one explanation attempted; Shows sound knowledge and/or understanding of the platform; How the computer helps deliver the product to guests is adequately explained; Sometimes uses appropriate terminology.
• Level 1 (1–2 marks): A brief explanation which shows limited understanding: At least one way is identified – at least one explanation is attempted; Shows limited knowledge and/or understanding of the platform; How the computer helps deliver the product to guests is explained in a basic way; Use of appropriate terminology is limited.
• 0 marks: Response is not worthy of credit