❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
💬 What is the R.E.A.L. Framework?
R.E.A.L. is a brain-aligned model of instruction designed for the age of distraction. It helps educators design lessons that align with how students actually learn—emotionally, cognitively, and socially—especially in a tech-saturated, attention-fragmented world.
The four phases are:
- Regulate – Calm the brain, ready the mind
- Engage – Spark curiosity and connection
- Apply – Deepen thinking through progress and feedback
- Loop – Reflect, transfer, and internalize
🧠 What makes R.E.A.L. different from other frameworks?
R.E.A.L. integrates:
- Neuroscience and emotional regulation
- MAPS motivation science (Meaning, Anticipation, Progress, Social Reward)
- Classroom-proven strategies for attention, belonging, and deep learning
- An explicit response to the Four Pillars of Harm (social deprivation, sleep loss, attention fragmentation, dopamine dysregulation)
It’s not just a new strategy—it’s a new mindset for how we design learning environments in a post-distraction era.
📚 How does R.E.A.L. connect to what teachers already do?
R.E.A.L. builds on what works—workshop model, PBL, UDL, culturally responsive teaching—and adds what’s missing: cognitive regulation, emotional engagement, and motivational design.
Teachers don’t have to abandon what they know. R.E.A.L. helps them upgrade it for today’s learners.
🧭 Who is R.E.A.L. for?
- Classroom teachers looking for practical, brain-aligned teaching tools
- School and district leaders navigating burnout, disengagement, or redesign
- PD facilitators and coaches building systems of sustainable instructional growth
- Parents and advocates who care about student well-being and attention
🧰 What kinds of tools and training are available?
We offer:
- On-site and virtual PD workshops
- The R.E.A.L. + MAPS Professional Learning Kit (slides, handouts, facilitator guides)
- School Turnaround Coaching and strategic planning
- Customized PD aligned to your goals, calendar, and culture
- Interactive resources for students (journals, MAPS check-ins, attention trackers)
🧪 Is there research behind R.E.A.L.?
Yes. R.E.A.L. is grounded in:
- Developmental neuroscience (executive function, feedback loops, memory)
- Educational psychology (engagement theory, curiosity science, SEL)
- Emerging research on technology’s impact on attention and well-being
- Frameworks like Self-Determination Theory, Project-Based Learning, and Equity-Centered Design Thinking
See our Research Corner for citations and summaries.
⚙️ How long does it take to implement?
R.E.A.L. can begin with a single lesson—and grow to power your entire school model.
Implementation pathways include:
- 90-minute PD intros
- Multi-day institutes
- School-year coaching plans
- Whole-school design support for turnaround or rebranding efforts
We meet you where you are—and help you build from there.
💬 Can R.E.A.L. work in high-needs or under-resourced schools?
Absolutely. R.E.A.L. was designed specifically for schools where disengagement, trauma, and burnout are real. It’s built to restore focus, rebuild student confidence, and support overwhelmed staff without relying on tech gimmicks or expensive programs.
🔄 How does this support SEL or MTSS?
R.E.A.L. weaves regulation, belonging, motivation, and reflection into the academic core. It’s not an add-on—it’s a design approach that supports:
- Tier 1 classroom wellness strategies
- MTSS alignment (Tiered supports for engagement + attention)
- Daily SEL skill-building (co-regulation, motivation, goal-setting, reflection)
🤖 What’s R.E.A.L.’s stance on AI in the classroom?
We embrace AI as a thinking partner, not a replacement for deep learning. When aligned with MAPS motivation and ethical design, AI can:
- Support personalized feedback
- Scaffold reflection and revision
- Help teachers differentiate more effectively
But we also believe: banning AI while allowing attention-hijacking apps is backward. See our AI + Attention Workshops for more.
✍️ How can I bring R.E.A.L. to my school or district?
Easy—just contact us for a consultation, sample PD plan, or speaking engagement. We can design a custom pathway that meets your needs, timeline, and goals.