The defining characteristic of the Learner-Designed I.P. Style is the independence of each learner to investigate a broad problem, situation or issue and produce a workable, detailed plan/program that resolves the specific content focus that each learner identified.

In the Learner-Designed Individual Program style, the role of the teacher is to make general subject matter logistical decisions for the learners. The role of the learner is to make decisions about how to investigate the general subject matter topic: to produce questions that lead to a specific focus within the general topic, to produce questions that result in identifying the process and procedures, to discover the solutions/movements, and to designate the performance criteria.

When Learner-Designed Individual Program style is achieved, the following subject matter objectives are reached:

• To discover, create, and organize ideas on one's own
• To develop subject matter that deals with a complex issue over an extended period of time
• To engage in a systematic process to explore and examine an issue
• To set standards of performance and evaluation on one's own
• Others

When Learner-Designed Individual Program style is achieve, the following behavioral objectives are reached:

• To accommodate individual differences in thinking and performance
• To provide an opportunity for the learner to experience increased independence over a relatively long period of time
• To exercise perseverance and tenacity
• To provide opportunities for individuals to be self-directed
• Others