Teaching & Course Development

Faculty are supported in course development through a comprehensive set of resources designed to enhance teaching quality and student success. The NMSU Open Lab offers hands-on, individualized assistance with course design and instructional tools, while syllabus guidance helps ensure clear expectations and alignment with institutional standards. Faculty can also utilize Online Quality Assurance standards to design effective, student-centered online and hybrid courses. In addition, accessibility resources and training are available to support the creation of inclusive, ADA-compliant course materials, ensuring all students can fully engage in the learning experience.

• NMSU Open Lab - The Academic Technology Online Open Lab is available to support instructors using Canvas, Zoom, and all other NMSU learning technologies.
• General Syllabus Information - Includes templates, checklists, the final exam schedule, and other essential resources.
  
  
  • Syllabus Supplement – Provides required institutional information, student resources, academic policies, and support-service details that faculty can include with their course syllabus.
  • Simple Syllabus Option – An online tool that helps faculty create, organize, and publish accessible course syllabi using a consistent NMSU-approved format.
    
    
• DACC Canvas Requirement - Ensures that all courses are consistently structured within Canvas by including essential components—such as syllabi, learning materials, communication tools, and accessibility standards—to support student success and institutional quality expectations.
• Online Quality Assurance - Ensures that all online courses meet established quality standards—such as alignment, accessibility, and effective design—through a structured review process that promotes consistency, student success, and continuous improvement.
• Universal Design - DACC Universal Design in Canvas ensures that courses are intentionally designed using inclusive and accessible practices—such as multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression—to support the diverse learning needs of all students.

Doña Ana Community College (DACC) and New Mexico State University (NMSU) provide a broad array of professional development opportunities for faculty. At DACC, the Learning Resource Network (LRN) is a platform that highlights various events and workshops designed to enhance teaching and professional skills. The DACC Online Quality Assurance program offers specialized training in online teaching and learning. Through NMSU, faculty can access the Teaching Academy, which offers comprehensive professional development programs that support every aspect of a faculty member’s career. The NMSU Academic Technology Department provides guidance and training on DACC’s Learning Management System, and additional resources are available to explore the latest teaching technologies across the NMSU System.

Learning Resource Network(LRN)Online Quality AssuranceTeaching AcademyAcademic Technology