How does REAL work?
Experiential education is at the heart of REAL’s effectiveness. Teaching entrepreneurship is not simply a matter of using a new textbook or adding a few new competencies to existing courses; it often requires new knowledge or a shift in teaching style. To use experiential methods, an instructor must experience them, understand them, practice them, and own them. REAL offers entrepreneurship education for children (K-8), youth (9-12), and adults (in community colleges, four year institutions, and community-based organizations).
Elementary and Middle Schools: K-8 REAL encourages younger children create an in-school community with an entrepreneurial sector, court system, and bank that addresses community needs. The curriculum is comprised of three components: Entrepreneurial Enterprises, REAL Money Sense, and Civic Concerns.
High Schools: REAL Entrepreneurship guides students through planning and creating small businesses of their own, with the help of a community support team whose members serve as advisors and mentors.
Post Secondary: REAL’s hands-on approach complements existing degree, certificate, or continuing education programs and appeals to adult entrepreneurs focused on starting or expanding businesses.
Community Based Organizations: The REAL Entrepreneurship curriculum is activities-based, so it can be used in a variety of settings. Community Based Organizations, including those that serve Hispanic and Native American populations, use REAL with current or potential entrepreneurs.
By promoting new business creation and expansion of existing businesses, REAL enables the educational institutions and other organizations offering REAL courses, to contribute to the economic development of their communities. REAL also offers an effective work force preparedness strategy, since the course assists students in developing the skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, and effective oral and written communications. A primary goal of the course is for students to complete and implement feasible business plans. REAL uses experiential instructional strategies to help participants assess their entrepreneurial potential and research, plan, set-up, and operate businesses of their own design.
