Updated: 2/17/2022
Our Academic Technology team has created FAQs, workshops, and other resources to help both faculty and students get the most out of their online and hybrid teaching and learning experiences.
The Office of the Provost has created a Faculty COVID-19 Resources page. A syllabus generator and additional syllabus resources are now available online for all campuses. Updates have been made to prioritize class content and utilize a for additional information. A new Student Resources & Policy page is a one-stop resource for faculty and students containing information and links regarding student services, grading policies and important contact information. Updated COVID-19 Suggested Classroom Management guidelines and other resources are also available. For questions on syllabus resources, contact Carley Casey at carleycc@nmsu.edu.
Classroom spaces
Information about the availability and capacity of classroom spaces available for classes or meetings is available through the AdAstra system.
At the Las Cruces campus, outdoor instructional spaces have been created using tents, and additional temporary shade structures are set up across campus to provide areas for students to rest, eat or study outdoors between classes.
Tent locations are noted on our NMSU COVID 19 Las Cruces Campus Map, available on our Facilities and Services Space Planning page.
Classroom technology
Many classrooms on the Las Cruces campus have upgraded technology that allow classrooms to be used for hybrid synchronous online delivery. Faculty can use Zoom to broadcast their classroom sessions to students who are not physically in the classroom, as well as record the lecture for future viewing. ICT and Instructional Media Services have resources to support using Zoom and other technology in the classroom.
In addition to wireless internet access available in campus buildings, AggieAir wireless hotspots are in many outdoor locations around the Las Cruces campus, including open tents throughout campus, green areas, food courts, parking lots and outdoor seating areas.
COVID-19 safety in classrooms
When it comes to using COVID-safe practices in the classroom, faculty should aim for social distancing to the greatest extent possible. Masks remain an effective tool for reducing the risk of COVID-19, and while they are optional, we encourage those who wish to wear a mask to continue to do so. Masks are available for free in our classrooms, and anyone is welcome and encouraged to wear a mask in any setting.
Additional classroom management, syllabus, and attendance resources are available from the Provost’s Office Syllabus Resources page.
Instructional delivery
During the schedule creation process, flexibility to instructional delivery provides the ability to move instruction to partially or fully online platforms, if necessary. Hybrid course delivery can be implemented in multiple ways. Some classes may rotate students through, with students assigned to attend in person on certain days and view lectures either synchronously or asynchronously on other days. If physical presence in the classroom is a preference of students, but not a requirement, departments may choose to have two cross-listed sections of the same course in which one section meets in a technology assisted classroom and the other meets synchronously online.
Once the course schedule is established and the semester is underway, permanent changes to course delivery modality are not permitted. However, if faculty are symptomatic or waiting for test results, temporarily moving a class to online synchronous delivery is a good option. This is viewed as a temporary relocation, not a shift to hybrid or blending learning. Providing engaging learning experiences that are consistent with course learning objectives is the priority. Stopgap strategies to accommodate emerging circumstances may have to include some use of online learning.
Faculty should consult with their Department Heads if they need to further clarify what is an appropriate stopgap strategy and what is truly hybrid course delivery.
Some definitions:
- 100% online asynchronous delivery: Students complete work independently, on their own schedule, no matter what time of day. Students are given deadlines by which they need to login and complete assignments.
- 100% online synchronous delivery: Classes occur on set schedules through remote delivery. Students and instructors are online at the same time, and lectures, discussions, and presentations take place at specific hours. All students must be online at that time in order to participate in the class.
- Hybrid (a combination of online and in-person): Content delivery incorporates more than one modality, e.g., face-to-face and remote synchronous or asynchronous delivery. Face-to-face attendance is limited and may include alternating in-person and online synchronous or asynchronous attendance; may also provide recordings of lectures or experiential components for later reference to supplement concurrent transmission of lectures or experiential components. All students participate in all delivery modalities.
Schedule types that appear when registering for classes at my.nmsu.edu include:
- HY:Online with Req In Person Mtgs (online with required in-person meetings)
- ONL:Online with Synchronous Mtgs (100% online with synchronous meetings)
- WB:Online no Synchronous Mtgs (100% online asynchronous)
- CL:Classroom/Lecture (fully in-person)
- LB:Lab (in-person labs)
- IND:Independent Meeting
- PC:Practicum or Clinical
- TD:Thesis or Dissertation
Note for students in clinical programs and Operations
Special precautions are required for students and faculty in clinical and other programs (such as nursing, allied health, athletic training, communication disorders, band, or student teaching). These precautions are unique to each program and are guided by the program’s accreditation or governing authority, as well as medical and public health guidance. The university will provide oversight of these arrangements as appropriate.
