The teaching of media technology to computing students is often hindered by the mathematical and programming complexity of the subject. We have observed that many of our students struggle with mathematics and low level programming concepts. The use of MATLAB in the teaching of media technology is not new, but it is often used to show the effects of Fourier and other transformations. However, by taking a block building approach, the high level nature of the language allows our students to overcome their technical phobias and produce fully functioned photographic, visual and audio editing tools