The Network for Educational Development (NED) provides educational development opportunities that are designed by Minnesota State faculty and staff for Minnesota State faculty and staff. These opportunities help build awareness, develop knowledge, skills, and abilities, and provide space for reflecting and revising.
Spring 2026  |  NED Course Catalog |  NED Resource Site
OER Learning Circles: Spring 2026
Spring 2026 OER Learning Circles
February 9 – April 26, 2026
Apply by January 9
Collaborate with other Minnesota State faculty who are committed to saving students on the cost of textbooks and course resources.
There are 5 Project Types:
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- Redesign a course around OER.
- Create ancillary materials to complement an existing OER.
- Author a primary course resource.
- OER Course Update – update an OER course that was previously redesigned in an OER Learning Circle cohort (at least 4 years ago).
- OER Legacy Project – instructors thinking of retiring soon can use this as a chance to preserve wisdom and share their expertise for future faculty and students.
In addition to virtual weekly meetings, OER Learning Circles will utilize a D2L Brightspace course to support faculty and will take place over an eleven week period.
Compensation
Participants receive compensation in the form of release credit equivalency (RCE) of $1750 in combined salary and fringe.*
*Minnesota State University, Mankato faculty receive compensation in 2.5 duty days.
Invite a high school Concurrent Enrollment instructor partner
Minnesota State faculty who collaborate with high school instructors in one of our Concurrent Enrollment (CE) programs can invite their CE partner to participate with them on their OER Learning Circle project. Only the Minnesota State faculty partner needs to apply using the link below. A separate form for the CE partner will be available after applying.
Sustainability
The OER Learning Circle Leaders cohort is available to those who have already completed an OER Learning Circles cohort and wish to bring the program to their campus.
Apply for OER Learning Circles and Learning Circle Leaders
- Visit the OER Learning Circle page in the OER Community Site to read more about the:
- Overview and compensation
- Project types
- Expectations and application process
- Complete the Online Application Form no later than January 9, 2026.
Questions?
Karen Pikula
Minnesota State OER Learning Circle Coordinator
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