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800-678-5376

email usSend email to:
tammyp@lern.org

 

Trains are coming! Passenger rail and light rail will change the way business, government and other organizations do business, how communities are designed, and where people live and work. Discover how trains will change the business landscape. Find out the keys for repositioning your organization around increasing passenger train and light rail service. Get planning information not available anywhere else. Then take home the top implications for your personal lifestyle as well.  A non-technical, user oriented advanced course for anyone interested in how trains are changing society.
  
William A. Draves, COI, instructor. One month, October, $145.

 outlineCourse Outline

Unit 1. The rise in trains
Why passenger trains and light rail are increasing.
The impact on auto driving and highways.
Benefits to business and individuals of trains and light rail.
The economic rationale  and advantage of trains and light rail.

Unit 2. The impact on the work place
Business location and customer access
Improving the recruiting and retaining of employees
Increasing productivity and profitability
How to begin planning now for trains

Unit 3. The influence on communities
Zoning and redesigning communities
How local laws and regulations change
How government responds
Planning for schools and neighborhoods

Unit 4. The implications on individual lifestyles
Housing and location: Where you live
Saving time: how you live changes
When and where and how often you travel
Planning for safer, more livable communities

Question MarkAbout online learning

Online learning is a fun, enjoyable and very productive way to learn. Millions of people are learning online each year. You will engage with the instructor and other participants. You will get to know your instructor and other participants. You may make friends.  It’s easy. It’s fun. 

GearsHow the Course Works

It is easy to participate in your online course. After you register, you will be given a web address to go to get into your online classroom.  You will have a password and use your email address and password to gain access.

Once inside the online classroom, here’s what you can expect.

CalendarParticipate when you want

Participants can participate as little or as much as you want.
You can participate any time of day or evening. The online classroom is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are no live real-time requirements or meetings. You decide when you participate.
For the best learning, participants should log into the course on 2-3 different days of the week.

ChecklistWhat you will do

For each Unit, you will:

  • Read the print readings (about 20 pages a week)
  • Have the option of accessing the online readings
  • Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides
  • Have the option of taking a self-quiz to see how much you have learned
  • Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants

For best learning, you should make one or more comments at 2-3 different times each week.
The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience.

DiscussionDiscussion

The Discussion for each Unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night.

Your instructor will log into the Discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants.

We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each week to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.

It’s easy. It’s fun.

Next offering(s):
October 4 - October 29, 2010

About Your Instructor

William A. Draves is a futurist, train advocate, and co-author of the book “Nine Shift: Work, life and education in the 21st Century.”  He and Julie Coates predicted the rise in trains. He has keynoted national transportation meetings, formed a local train advocacy group, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Association of Rail Passengers.  Col. Thomas F. Atkinson, Jr., Deputy Assistant Secretary, Intermodel Transportation, State of Louisiana, says about Draves, “Very informative. Insightful. I will read his book next week.” Rod  Eggleston,Vice President Rail Group, HNTB Corporation, says “Bill just exploded with his energy  and very good examples.”

Directional ArrowsCourse Objectives

  • To describe and explain the impact and benefits increasing passenger train and light rail service will have on business, government and other work organizations.
  • To address the importance of transportation on business and life in society, and address the issue of the decline in automobile driving, especially among young adults.
  • To provide specific strategies and keys for business and individuals to plan to adjust their work places to take advantage of the opportunities presented by trains and light rail;
  • To outline specific ways in which planning for trains and light rail can increase worker productivity and organizational success.

Puzzle PiecesCourse Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, you will:

  • Possess the knowledge about how and why passenger trains and light rail are increasing in society, the benefits, and the implications for work and communities.
  • Know how passenger trains and light rail will influence the way business is conducted, work organizations are redesigned, and individual lifestyles are changed.
  • Get the keys to take advantage of trains and light rail for business, government and community organizations.
  • Take home planning strategies and ideas for transitioning one’s organization or personal situation to benefit from the advent of more passenger trains and light rail.