eREAL
eREAL is based on the REAL Entrepreneurship program and covers all the essential areas of learning of the classroom-based course. eREAL is an online, facilitator-led, experiential course of study. It is both asynchronous, meaning the facilitator and students do not both have to be online at the same time and each can work at his or her own pace, and place-independent, meaning the facilitator and students can live as far apart as across town or across the globe.
eREAL can be used by educators in high schools, post-secondary institutions, and community-based organizations like e-learning sites and small business development centers.
How does online learning work?
As it is currently being taught, the eREAL course is one semester (approximately 14-18 weeks) in length. During this time, learners explore the realities and rewards of entrepreneurship and small business ownership.
All activities occur online using discussion boards, on-line collaboration tools, and e-mail interaction. Virtual Classroom (Live Chat) sessions are optional and left up to the discretion of the instructor and the site. In an online course, the student reads the course materials and then logs on to participate in online discussions and individual or group work. Face-to-face meetings are optional.
eREAL classes are similar to face-to-face classes in that the instructor monitors activites, determines the readings and other assignments, and answers students’ questions and responds to their work. Also like face-to-face classes, the students are expected to report to the class, participate in group and individual actvities, and develop functional business plans.
CD Curriculum
The curriculum offers all information necessary to implement the course online and is organized for ease of use. Included in the course curriculum CD-ROM are:
- Course Outlines (designed for 16-18 weeks)
- Assignments in weekly sequence
- Assignments by Activity Title (eREAL course)
- A culminating project assignment
- Individual activities
- Group projects and activities
- Resources (website links) to complete assignments and activities
- Supporting documents for each assignment
- Suggested Course Information (i.e. netiquette, expectations, etc)
- Templates for activities and assignments
- Business Planning Journals
- Assignments for offline workbook content
- Tech Tips
- Information to assist the Facilitator in using the CD-ROM curriculum
- Links to eREAL sites, including an online Resource Center and an online Site Visit
The Microsoft Excel and Word files on the CD-ROM are organized in folders so the entire course can be easily uploaded into a courseware for delivery. It is also organized in a “clickable link” format for easier browsing. Each week and/or activity listed on the course outline has a corresponding folder with all the information needed to facilitate that section.
The suggested course outline includes assignments, templates, planning journals, worksheets, activities, and research information for each week. All assignments, individual activities, and group activities are in a template format and complete and ready to deliver at your site. While this is not a “cookie cutter” course, we have attempted to package the lessons in such a way to make course planning as easy as possible.
Note: The eREAL curriculum is licensed only to teachers/educators who attend a eREAL Institute.