Ai & Productivity Tools

AI Productivity Hub
This hub provides student-friendly tutorials, productivity tool highlights, and academic policy guidance. It supports students while also serving faculty and staff who want to teach, advise, or model responsible AI use. All resources align with DACC’s ESP Guiding Principles for Ethics, Safety, and Privacy.

AI Guiding Principles (ESP)

Ethics

We uphold practices in AI usage by ensuring equity, accountability, and fairness in all applications, striving to eliminate bias and empower inclusive innovation.

Safety

We prioritize the safety of our students, faculty, and staff by ensuring the responsible implementation of AI tools and applications, minimizing risks, and fostering a secure learning and working environment.

Privacy

We are committed to protecting the privacy of all community members by safeguarding personal data, adhering to stringent confidentiality standards, and promoting transparency in AI usage.

AI Starter Guide (Quick Start)

What AI Is (and Isn't)

Simple explanation: AI finds patterns in data and generates outputs. It can speed up tasks and suggest ideas, but it does not "understand" like a human and can be incorrect.

Keep expectations realistic: verify facts, check sources, and treat AI as an assistant — not a final authority.

Introduction to AI

When To Use AI

Use AI for brainstorming, summarizing readings, improving clarity, creating study outlines, and generating practice questions. Use it to speed up non-evaluative tasks and to develop ideas.

Ai Guide

When NOT To Use AI

Avoid using AI for closed-book assessments, personal reflections when the instructor disallows, or when the syllabus explicitly forbids generative tools. Unattributed AI use is academic dishonesty.

Ai Guide

How to Cite AI (Quick examples)

Provide in-text mention and list AI in references. Example (APA-style brief): "Content assisted by [Tool name], version, date accessed." Check your instructor's preferred citation style.

Owl Purdue Ai Resources

AI in Tutoring Mini-Series

Short videos designed for tutor coordinators on how to thoughtfully integrate AI into tutoring practices. These guides help support decision-making, student learning, and ethical use of AI tools in academic support environments.

What You'll Learn:

  • How AI can support tutoring workflows
  • Ethical and appropriate AI use with students
  • Examples of AI-enhanced tutoring strategies
  • Limitations and situations where AI should not be used

Tip: Watch each video in sequence for the best learning experience.

Watch the AI in Tutoring Mini-Series playlist.

Watch: How to Log into Microsoft Copilot.

How to Log into Microsoft Copilot

This quick video shows you how to access Microsoft 365 using your NMSU/DACC credentials — which is the same portal where Microsoft Copilot is located.

What is Copilot? Microsoft Copilot is an AI assistant built into Microsoft 365. It helps you draft emails, summarize documents, create study notes, analyze information, and save time on everyday tasks.

What You'll Learn:

  • How to log into Microsoft 365
  • Where to find Microsoft Copilot
  • What to do if you can't access your apps
  • How Microsoft 365 connects to Copilot

Tip: Copilot becomes available after signing into the Microsoft 365 portal — this video walks you through the first step.

Productivity Tools

Note-taking

Master strategies for taking effective digital notes with tools like Notability. Organize lecture notes, plan assignments, and maintain a structured workflow for all your classes.

  • Digital handwriting vs. typed notes
  • Organizing notes by class and topic
  • Using templates and outlines for efficiency
  • Syncing across devices and creating backups

These techniques save time, reduce confusion, and help you study smarter.

Watch Notability Tutorial

Resource provided by DACC.

Recommended Tools

Explore a selection of AI and productivity tools recommended by the DACC Library. Each tool is described with its purpose and content, helping you manage coursework, enhance writing, and stay organized.

  • Grammarly: Improve clarity, grammar, and style
  • Notion: Organize tasks, notes, and class information
  • Quizlet: Practice with flashcards and study sets
  • Canvas Tools: Calendar, To-Do list, and notifications

Using these tools strategically will enhance productivity, learning efficiency, and time management.

Explore DACC Library AI Resources

Resource provided by DACC Library.

AI for Accessibility

AI-powered accessibility tools support diverse learning needs. These resources improve reading, writing, comprehension, and study efficiency for all students.

  • Speech-to-Text: Dictation for assignments and notes
  • Immersive Reader: Read-aloud, line focusing, and text spacing
  • Text Simplification: Summarizes complex content clearly
  • Translation Assistance: Helps ESL and multilingual learners

Using these AI accessibility tools ensures equitable learning opportunities and a smoother study experience.

Explore Accessibility Guides

Resources provided by Texas Tech University Library.

NMSU / DACC AI Use Policies (Syllabus Statements)

Broader Use of Generative AI Permitted within Guidelines

Use of AI tools is permitted in this course for students who wish to use them. Students must cite any AI-generated material that informed their work (this includes in-text citations and/or use of quotations, and in your references list). Using an AI tool to generate content without proper attribution qualifies as academic dishonesty.

Use of Generative AI Permitted Under Some Circumstances or with Explicit Permission

During this class, we may use AI Writing tools. You will be informed as to when, where, and how there. You will be informed as to when, where, and how these tools are permitted to be used, along with guidance for attribution. It is important to note if AI tools are permitted to be used for an assignment, they should be used with caution and proper citation.

No Use of Generative AI Permitted

This course assumes that all work submitted by students will be generated by students themselves, working individually or in groups. Students should not have another person/entity do the writing of any substantive portion of an assignment for them, which includes hiring a person or a company to write assignments and using AI tools.

Can I use AI for this assignment?

Quick decision guide:

  • If yes → Cite any AI contributions.
  • If conditional → Ask your instructor for guidance.
  • If no → Do not use AI; submitting AI-generated content without attribution is academic dishonesty.

If your syllabus or instructor permits AI for the assignment, attribute any AI contributions properly. If permission is conditional, follow the instructor's instructions for when and how to use AI. If AI is not permitted, do not use it under any circumstances.

Productivity Workflows (Examples)

Practical step-by-step workflows showing how AI can speed common student tasks while maintaining academic integrity.

Support & Help

If you need one-on-one help with any of these tools or guidance on using AI in your coursework, use the links below.

Contact Information

Phone: 575-527-7738
Email: vlit@nmsu.edu
Book an Appointment

East Mesa Campus
2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd.
DAAR Bldg. Room 201B
Las Cruces, NM 88011

Hours of Operation

Monday–Friday:
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

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