DPI projects are designed to be undertaken by students (from KS3 onwards). For KS3 and KS4 students a minimum of supervision from teaching staff is required.
Enabling students to take responsibility for the project in a structured way develops both confidence and the skills employers are looking for.
All our projects are real-time, real-money projects, with tangible end-products. They are self-financing or designed to save schools money, produce something of value to the school, and develop employability skills.
The projects can be run as extra curricular activities, or as part of a programme of learning – to suit the needs of your school or college.
Our projects include
This is not an exhaustive list – our project methodologies and learning support materials are adaptable to most projects run in schools.
All our projects are fully scalable, and include methodologies, guidance and learning support materials to enable teachers and students to manage the work efficiently and well. Our primary aims are that our projects should be fun to do, produce a quality product and enhance students’ employability skills and confidence.
Our learning support materials enable students to define themselves and their skills in relation to the projects. This is particularly valuable for disengaged students or marginalized groups.
Available for all our projects are:
Complete methodologies for doing the work – again fully scalable to need.
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The basic methodologies give you step-by-step guidance on planning and managing your project from start to finish.
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We provide methodologies and guidance on using ICT effectively, on graphics, design and layouts – linking the way in which students use ICT at home and in school with how employers will expect them to use it.
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DPI also provides mapping to awards and qualifications so that students working on the projects can get recognition from their work.
Over the past 20 years, we have developed our projects to help students focus on what they can do and how they can identify, develop and refine skills to make them more confident and more employable.
DPI resource materials include:
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learning schemes and assessments
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a Project Toolkit
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workbooks and portfolios
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guidance on all aspects of technical and management aspects of the project
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personal support by phone or email as required.
Our materials also contain support and guidance for teachers to help them facilitate the project whilst the students do the actual work. Teachers have used our module to improve their own skills and CPD.
Projects with local businesses
DPI provides advice and guidance for schools working with local businesses – especially the small and micro business community (which constitute well over 90 percent of businesses and 65 percent of private sector employment).
Our project methodologies are designed to enable students to work with businesses in a structured way to deliver real benefit to all parties.
Examples of the range of project subjects schools could work with in partnership with businesses are:
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communications
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awareness of business and management
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health and safety issues
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food and hygiene
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transport & logistics
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information gathering
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problem-solving, including structuring problems
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marketing – advertising, sales, design, packaging, distribution, pricing
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uses of ICT in business