This document outlines the course requirements for EDUC 640 Creating an Effective Learning Environment. The instructor is Robin B. Buchanan and contact information is provided. There are two required textbooks and selected readings from peer-reviewed journals. Assignments must follow APA format and be submitted on time through the Sakai course site. Course requirements include participation in weekly online forums, completing Sakai assignments by the due dates, two tests over readings and discussions, differentiated lesson plans, and a final paper. The course is designed to take the same time commitment as a 3 credit hour face-to-face class including readings, assignments, and 3 hours of weekly online class participation.

1. EDUC 640
Creating an Effective Learning Environment
…for all learners

2. Instructor:
Robin B. Buchanan, Ed.D.
Phone:
828-898-8747
Cell phone:
828-385-0074
E-mail:
buchananr@lmc.edu
(preferred method of contact)
Office Hours: Held each Tuesday at 8:00 p.m.

3. I. Textbook:
• Course Management Site: SAKAI site:
http://lamp.acaweb.org/portal
• Textbooks:
• Voltz, D.L., Sims. M.J., & Nelson, B. (2010).
Connecting Teachers, Students, and Standards:
Strategies for Success in Diverse and Inclusive
Classrooms. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
• Delpit, L. (2012). Multiplication is for White People.
New York: The New Press.
• Selected readings from peer-reviewed professional
journals (Some of these will be of my choosing,
others will be your choice).

4. • Note: Because professionals in all disciplines must
utilize correct oral and written communication,
points will be deducted on all assignments that
contain oral or written errors. Therefore, begin now
to correct any oral language errors and proof/correct
all written work before submitting for a grade.
• No late assignments will be accepted unless
arrangements have been made with the instructor.
• Each written assignment will be composed on a
computer, using current APA Guidelines, and
submitted as an attachment on the Sakai Course
Management Site.

5. VI. Course Requirements and Evaluation:
A. Enthusiastic participation in class activities
Students are expected to “attend” classes and participate in weekly forums as a
class discussion Students will be dropped from classes in which their
unexcused absences exceed 2 (which is interpreted to mean lack of forum
participation) but may be reinstated. Since attendance is based upon forum
participation, you will have a week each time to complete the discussion, this
should mean that you will not be absent from any “class meeting.”
B. SAKAI assignments
Complete all SAKAI assignments by due date listed in the SAKAI schedule. SAKAI
site: http://lamp.acaweb.org/portal. SAKAI assignments will not be accepted if
they are late unless it has been cleared with the instructor prior to the due date.
C. Tests
Two tests will be given over class discussions, lectures and readings. A final paper
will also count as a test.
D. Differentiated Lesson Plans
You will create a number of lesson plans using the “Understanding by Design”
method, including differentiation strategies for specific student groups.

6. E. Note about my philosophy for online classes.
This course carries 3 semester hours credit. The
readings, class discussion, and assignments should involve
approximately the same amount of time as participation in
a 3 credit hour face-to-face class. This means 3 hours of
class time plus outside readings and assignments. This is a
graduate-level course. The academic rigor of the course
should be at a graduate level. (Don’t let this scare you!
However, if this is your first online class, you must be
prepared to devote the same amount of time you would
devote to a face-to-face class, including attending class).

7. Scholarly Articles:
From library databases (J-Stor, Academic
Search Complete, or Education Databases)
How to find articles from library
Are you registered with the library?
Contact Virginia Moss
304-865-6112
virginia.moss@ovu.edu

8. APA Format
For all graduate level Education papers.
1” margin
12 point Times New Roman font
Citations (author, date). OR (author, date, p. ?)
When to cite
If it is not your own original idea
Video Reminder:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atTRlg6iaGo