What a Conversation Class Feels Like

In this type of class, everyone has a say not just the 5 extraverts. Over a period of weeks, a deep sense of trust builds and so does a sense of community. We go way beyond the texts and find out things about the topic and about ourselves that surprised us all.

Here is an unedited series of comments by my fall class of 2004. They had just completed the course on the Natural Step

What I have Learned

Well I can say that everything in this course was new to me, it was a
great learning experience. Not only did we learn what needs to be done
to protect our environment, but more importantly what we can do to
improve it right away. I believe this course is very beneficial and
believe that it should be a required course. Coming into this course I
had no idea what it was about. I must admit that the first few weeks I
was a little skeptical because I had no idea what I was getting myself
into, but I am very thankful that I stayed in the course.

With the information I learned, I hope to continue to use it in my
household and in the future. Every little thing counts, the small
steps will gradually increase into giant steps. More people just need
to be educated!

By Bethany at November 23, 2004 - 6:28pm | delete comment | edit
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Very Valuable

I enjoyed this course very much and found it to be a very valuable
experience. We can all take a lot of what was learn't in this course
and use it in our everyday lives. Of course though we all must change,
and not resist change!

Im glad I took this course and enjoyed it so much that I signed up the
other day for Prof. Patterson's other web course next semester (new
customer revolution) and am very much looking forward to it.

By Patrick Neary at November 23, 2004 - 6:37pm | delete comment | edit
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Great Course

When I first signed up for this course I had little knowledge about
the natural step and all the components involved. I must say that I've
learned so much over the past 3 months. I think this course gave me a
different outlook on a lot of different things. The assignments made
me think in a different way and challenged me to take a step back and
really look at what was going on in school, work, home and my personal
life. I also must say that I liked the way the course was set up and
how smoothly things went with this web course.

By Pam Sellar at November 23, 2004 - 7:03pm | delete comment | edit
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A new way of thinking

This is the first time that I have taken a web course, and I really
enjoyed it. The small group made it easy to keep up with all the
conversations, and the website was a great tool for creating
discussion.

The biggest (and most surprising) concept I learned from the reading
and discussions is the possibilities that are broadened by using TNS
process. Initially I would never have guessed that becoming more
environmentally responsible would make a company more profitable, but
as we moved further along in the course, ideas were put more into
perspective. Having respect for the environment now not only provided
a positive corporate image, but created greater profit as well.

Concerning home life, this course has made me realize what a wasteful
society we are, and how little changes can make large differences.
Simple things like using different lightbulbs that "pay for
themselves" when the next power bill comes due. It showed me a
positive new spectrum in which to envision new ideas.

As for the future, it makes me want to encourage myself and those
around me to make better decisions regarding the sustainability or our
environment. That the decision we make today should be focused more on
long term commitments rather then short term thinking.

By nmccarrol at November 23, 2004 - 11:56pm | delete comment | edit
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A new outlook

When I started this course back in September, I too was a little
unsure as to what to expect. The natural step, sustainability, these
terms were gibberish to me. As the course progressed I began to learn
so much that I hadn't heard or even thought of before. This course
personally has left many thoughts with me. I've learned so much that I
had never known before. Of course we all know that we can do a lot to
make a difference, but how many actually do change their ways to make
a difference.

That assignments were great exercises to make a student think outside
the box and really narrow in on what the problem is and what needs to
be done to elminate that problem. My home is a place where change can
start. I've become more aware of what i should be doing to cut back on
electricity, waste, heat etc.

This course has a been an eye opener to me. I've shared so many
comments with my family and friends, from comments that fellow
students had shared. This course was very beneficial, and i think it's
a great course for every student to take. Now's the time to start
caring for the future. If we don't act now , what will the future have
in store. Step by step makes a difference, and it's change that makes
that difference. If anything i take away from this course a great deal
of knowledge. I will keep the papers that i have written and reflect
back on them in the future.

By Krista at November 24, 2004 - 12:44am | delete comment | edit
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Good learning experience

This was a very good course to take when i signed up for it i had no
idea what it was going to be about i just had a friend tell me that i
should take it. I learned alot about what different workplaces and
people's households do to better the environment, it was a good
learning experience. From learning and talking about change in the
last three months i have a different perspective about things. The
assignments were a good way of looking at the environment around us
and thinking how to change it for the better. But overall the course
was great.

By Janice Rodd at November 24, 2004 - 11:31am | delete comment | edit
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Inevitable Future

Personally this course has allowed me to see the world as a working
system that is way off balance. It has sparked an interest for me to
pursue something to do with the environment and business. This is the
new wave of the future, to help restore balance. I have been listening
to people talk about the environment for years, although as we
discussed earlier in the course, none of what was hearing inspired me
to actually change. Finally I feel like I got it and I am excited to
try to educate others such as my family and friends. The facts are so
staggering to me that it seems like an interesting topic to discuss;
either within other classes or even socially. Looking at the future
from this moment it is hard to foresee a positive future because we
can not replace much of the damage we have already done. On the other
hand people are catching on, realizing the importance of the
environment and the role it will play in our lives and for years to
come. My positive vision includes our leaders; prime ministers,
presidents, etc., making this a bigger priority through tougher
regulations that can be implemented right away to let the people know
that this is a major issue that must be dealt with NOW!!!!!

By adam campbell at November 24, 2004 - 12:04pm | delete comment |
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Great Class

This class has been a tremendous learning experience. I had previously
been aware of the issue but had no idea of its real scope. I was very
much discouraged because I thought it was going to required a complete
new way of doing business but really all it requires is changing
business values. I really think this should be a required class for
all business students. I shudder when I think that students are
graduating without being exposed to the ideas in this course.

In terms of my home life, I have already begun to make changes. I use
to have lights on all over the place, now I use as little as possible.
I've also managed to cut down dratiscally my water consumption. These
are only smalls steps but they are the beginning. My next challenge is
to change our food consumption habits to become more local and reduce
waste.

The biggest thing the course has given me is some hope for the future.
I had lost all interest in business prior to this course and was
simply finishing my degree for the sake of finishing it. Now I see an
opportunity to help others integrate sustainability into their
businesses. I think this would be an exciting and noble profession.
When I sat back and thought about business in terms of our problems
globally, it always seemed to be at the root of the cause. Now with
what I've learned I can start to be the root of the solution.

Thanks for another great course Rob.

By Jeff Ellis at November 24, 2004 - 1:54pm | delete comment | edit
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When I signed up for this cla

When I signed up for this class I had no idea of what to expect. All
the areas of discussion have really opened up my mind and allowed me
to think about things that I would have never considered. Everone
contributing links and tips that are environmentally friendly have
been really helpful and informative. I am always very sceptical of web
courses and it took me longer to become comfortable with this website,
but I feel that I have benefited and learned from this class.

By Christine Sherren at November 24, 2004 - 4:22pm | delete comment |
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My take

This has been a breakthrough class for me as well.

This is I think the 4th or 5th time I have given it and what I am
seeing is that the events of the world are catching up with the
content. When I first gave the class, most of us still thought that we
had lots of time. But over the last 4 years, evidence of what is
happening is more and more clear. A lot of our discussion has been
about what we can all see that is emerging. It is obvious that a great
change is upon us.

So I have seen the context for change shift from a theory to our
experience. We have suffered from bad weather etc.

Secondly, when I first taught the course it seemed odd that a few
businesses would decide to see if being good = profitable. It is quite
clear now that businesses that cannot prove that they are good will
suffer. It will quickly become the difference. Those who behave badly
will get punished. The Internet I think is helping. Bad behavior is
picked up and talked about. We the consumer have more power now. Not
just that we can stop buying but that our opinion on the Internet can
stop others. We trust peers opinion on the web more than messages from
the company. So power is shifting to the consumer.

Lastly, when I first started I was very strict about following the
book. By now the conversations have been very wide. How have you felt
about this? My own feeling is that the assignments have acted as an
anchor but that it has been better to let the conversation flow. I
have noticed that many of you now own the site as much as I do and I
like that. What about you?

PS I also note that many of you have continued the discussion with
your friends and your family. How has this gone?

PPS I hope that many of you choose the UPEI option - I have high hopes
that your comments will get heard
Rob P

By Rob Paterson at November 24, 2004 - 5:30pm | delete comment | edit
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Rob, I think having the freed

Rob, I think having the freedom of just letting the conversation flow,
and being able to go off track sometims and then on the right track
was a good strategy for this course. I find that many of courses are
structured to strictly to the book, however in this course you gave us
the freedom to talk freely about what is going on around us, around
the world, and at the same time we could also relate to the chapters
read in The Natural Step. By having this free flow it allowed the
majority of us to learn so much more.

I'll agree in that the assignments were where we all shined. We all
shared so many great ideas and from this we all learned. I shared many
discussions with my family and friends about this course and what i
have learned. They were amazed with what i was learning and were
interested to read my papers and hear about the course.

This course has been a great experience. This a course that i would
take for the full year if it was offered. Imagine how much more we
could learn?

By Krista at November 24, 2004 - 6:12pm | delete comment | edit
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Not following the book

I enjoyed that we were given the opportunity to discuss other issues
that were not in our book. I think that this definitely opened other
doors that might not have necessarily have been open if we weren't
given this freedom.

There were times when I thought a little more structure would have
been nice, because this freedom was a change I was a little hesitant
about at first. I like when there is a lot of structure and I know
exactly what needs to be done. But this course has opened my eyes to
see that structure can close out some very important information if we
were not given this freedom.

By Bethany at November 24, 2004 - 8:03pm | delete comment | edit
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Best Part

I would have to say the freedom was one of my favourite things about
this course. You gave us the chance to explore what is actually
happening right now out around the world. I thought that the cases
were interesting to read and the actual theory of The Natural Step was
good to learn about but I think giving us the chance to talk about
other things was what made the course. Thank you for giving us this
freedom, this was one of the most interesting courses I have taken.

By sarahross at November 25, 2004 - 7:37pm | delete comment | edit
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TSN and PEI

Throughout a the majority of my adult life I have considered myself
somewhat of an environmentalist. When I began my studies as a UPEI
business student, I often wondered how I could tie these values into a
train of study that usually was considered the "bad guy" when it came
to these issues. This is why I enjoyed this course so much. Finding a
resourceful and practical way of making a company sustainable within
its natural environment and increasing the companys' profitability is
really quite a breakthrough. Reading about how real (and successful)
companies have implemented this program was really enlightening. Also,
by coupling these success stories with way this can be done (and needs
to be done) right here on PEI was motivation for everyone to pull
together and help sustain our industries, homes, lives, and our
natural environment.

I think the best thing about this course is that in showed how
sustaining an environment doesn't mean sacrificing a business. And we
as the future generation of business people need to remember that
everything is a part of that system, and we can use it to our best
advantage to keep this system working properly for years to come.
-Sheena

By smurnaghan at November 24, 2004 - 9:01pm | delete comment | edit
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At first I thought TNS was re

At first I thought TNS was really this taboo subject, mainly because I
didnt know of many businesses or places that really implemented its
values. So I was pleasantly surprised to find out about places like
Banff, and companies like IKEA.

I was also surprised how easy it really is to use the goals of TNS
into your daily life. I learned alot about it during the course, in
such a short period of time as well.

I can only hope that others especially businesses take a serious look
at TNS and try to use it to create a better business environment. It
isnt as hard as it looks, and the benefits are certainly going to go
along way in making the world a better place.

By Matt Power at November 24, 2004 - 9:11pm | delete comment | edit
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Great course

This being my first web course I have ever taken, I was a little
uncertain about what would go on with the course. I had no idea what I
was getting into and was a little nervous especially since biology is
my major subject.

Now that this is the end of the course, I can honestly say I am very
glad I took this course and would recommend it to any of my friends
looking for a good course to take.

I found that the course brought everyone up to date on environmental
issues going on the world we live in. I really enjoyed the bulletin
board, seeing everyones opinions and ideas about issues going on in
todays world. With that being said I learned a lot about environmental
problems that start right from home and ways to combat these problems.
Hopefully I can try some of these new ideas and countinue to push my
family to follow some of them as well.

By ben moore at November 24, 2004 - 9:17pm | delete comment | edit
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