Save the date for Nevada’s second open education symposium, ExplOER Nevada! This free, virtual event will take place on Friday, March 6, 2026. The event will bring together educators, administrators, librarians, instructional designers and students to explore how open education is reshaping teaching and learning in higher education.
The theme of this year’s symposium, Reimagining Learning Beyond the Textbook, highlights how open education can transform pedagogy, foster equity and inspire new approaches to teaching across disciplines.
Call for proposals
The planning committee invites faculty and other educators to that align with the symposium’s theme. Suggested tracks include:
- Adopting open pedagogy practices
- Engaging students through open and renewable assignments
- Creating open educational resources
- Implementing open educational resources
- Facilitating open education and open pedagogy practices
Presenters can also choose between demonstrations, individual presentations and moderated panels, as well as session lengths of 5-10 minutes, 30 minutes and 60 minutes. The symposium welcomes and encourages proposals that include students as presenters. Submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis with initial review to begin Friday, Dec. 19.
Submitting a proposal offers faculty the chance to showcase their work, share lessons learned and inspire colleagues across Nevada. Whether you are experimenting with open assignments, developing new resources or leading institutional initiatives, your insights can help shape the statewide conversation.
Keynote speaker
The event will feature a keynote by , professor emeritus at Keene State University and an open education advocate who co-founded the RIOS Institute. Cangialosi has also worked as part of the Regional Leaders of Open Education Network and helped advance open education at Keene State University by leading a change to adopt open educational resources in most biology courses.
Her keynote will provide inspiration for faculty seeking to reimagine their teaching practices. Attendees will gain insights into how open education can foster innovation, equity and student engagement across disciplines.
Join a statewide community
Open education has gained momentum nationwide as colleges and universities seek innovative ways to improve student success, reduce costs and expand access to knowledge. While saving students money on textbooks is a well-known benefit, the movement goes far beyond affordability. Open educational resources (OER) and open pedagogy practices empower faculty to design flexible, engaging and inclusive learning experiences. They encourage collaboration, creativity, and the co-creation of knowledge between instructors and students.
ExplOER Nevada is more than a conference — it is a growing community of practice. By participating, faculty will connect with colleagues across institutions and share strategies for overcoming challenges. The symposium provides a platform for educators to learn from one another and to contribute to a collective vision for the future of higher education in Nevada.
“We’ve seen a lot of growth in open education in the University in the last five years, and we’re excited to give instructors the chance to learn from each other,” Scholarly Communications & Social Sciences Librarian Teresa Schultz said. “We see this symposium as an opportunity for Nevada to grow our support and collaboration around open education.”
The planning committee encourages all faculty, regardless of prior experience with open education, to attend and engage. Whether you are curious about adopting your first OER, interested in designing renewable assignments or already leading initiatives on your campus, ExplOER Nevada offers valuable insights and connections.
By submitting a proposal or attending sessions, you will contribute to a statewide effort to make higher education more affordable, equitable and innovative. Together, we can reimagine learning beyond the textbook and ensure that Nevada’s students have access to the tools and opportunities they need to succeed.
Have questions? Email Scholarly Communications & Social Sciences Librarian Teresa Schultz at teresas@unr.edu.
