One often overlooked benefit of professional development–pedagogical development in particular–is that it provides a rare opportunity to be a student again. To find yourself with an orientation and an objective, but in unfamiliar or challenging terrain. And (if you’re anything like me) to set off in too many directions at once, to expand the project beyond what is feasible, and finally, to panic at the enormous mess this produces.  In this specific instance, I set out to overhaul my existing OER syllabus for my introductory course in U.S. government and politics. I opened my forever expanding “Notes for Next Semester” document and was reminded of all of the excellent ideas…