A new method of organizing and managing an academic classroom, for grades 9-12. DEEP offers students and instructors a method of organizing and managing an academic classroom that differs from the usual classroom model. Students in the DEEP classroom identify needs, formulate objectives, develop tasks based upon these objectives, present group and individual projects based upon fulfillment of objectives, receive teacher debriefing following presentation of the projects, and participate in their own evaluations. DEEP offers learners in academic subjects alternative ways to create, gather, develop and display information.
Extensive use is made of electronic and nonelectronic media.
The role of the teacher is that of advisor, consultant, and learning-systems manager. The classroom is a workshop where students work cooperatively to complete tasks. Community resources are utilized. The DEEP classroom is highly structured, but the structure is not the same as in the typical academic classroom. Teachers who demonstrate the ability and desire to change their methods of instruction are trained in the use of these new management techniques.