Gratitude for the People You Meet Along the Way, from Innovative College Teaching

From time to time, I re-read the Epilogue from Innovative College Teaching...

“I live by two words: tenacity and gratitude.” —Henry Winkler

From time to time, I reflect on my teaching career, looking to capture my sentiment in the moment in one word. Recently, I watched an interview with Henry Winkler as he discussed the ups and many downs of his acting career after the hit television show, Happy Days, ended in 1984. The word that stuck with me was that he was grateful for everything. Grateful. Work hard and be grateful. During the ups and the downs. Appreciate current and former students and colleagues, and all of the people you’ve met along the way.

I am grateful to the professors interviewed for this book. Unknown to them, they elevated my game as I edited their chapters. When students ask me about time management techniques, I tell them to be strategic and efficient with their time. To learn how and when to say no. But if I listened to my own advice, I likely would’ve passed on a great opportunity. As I was re-reading about the amazing work these Master Teachers are doing with their students, I was inspired to say yes.

This led me to take on the task of recruiting and coaching a team of three students to compete in a three-day international mediation competition hosted by a neighboring university. These students weren’t in my Consumer Law class, had zero exposure to mediation training, and went up against many students who were Conflict Resolution majors. They had five weeks to learn how to mediate a dispute and switch roles from mediator to advocate to client in mock mediation sessions. The same amount of training time that Rocky had to fight world champion, Apollo Creed. The students worked hard and performed admirably. They demonstrated skill, patience, empathy, and poise under pressure, and articulated reflective insights.

          Author Dan Millman once said: “The journey is what brings us happiness, not the destination.” I am grateful to the students who sacrificed their time during this adventure to learn and experience something new. In turn, these types of interactions facilitate my growth as a professor and person. All of which motivates me to seek out my next quest.

 Click here for Innovative College Teaching

© 2024 Perry Binder

Perry Binder is a Clinical Associate Professor of Legal Studies, entering his 25th year at Georgia State University's Robinson College of Business. He is the author of several books, including Innovative College Teaching (2024), Classroom LIGHTBULBS for College Professors (2023), and 99 Motivators for College Success (2012).

 

Article Published in Times Higher Ed (THE) - Flip-Zoom-open: how Covid and AI transformed my classroom

The article is based on a few chapters in my book and subsequent conference presentations.

Maybe the uncertainty of the pandemic resulted in a few positives to university teaching? Here, Perry Binder reflects on lockdown’s seismic shifts 

Click to read Flip-Zoom-open: how Covid and AI transformed my classroom

#1 in Educational Counseling (Amazon, May 2025): 99 Motivators for College Success

It's been a good week for the book.

Each year from 2016-2022, 99 Motivators for College Success was sent to hundreds of rising high school seniors across the country by Randolph College (Virginia) through its Book Award Program.

In 99 Motivators, Perry Binder is one part professor, one part career mentor, and one part classroom cheerleader. His Motivators, insightful stories, and takeaways are presented in bite-sized tips and quotes on college success in class, in career choices, and in life. Most of the Motivators are serious, some are quirky, and they all have universal messages for college and high school students. In this book, Perry gives away all of his teaching secrets, including advice on how to study for multiple choice exams and how to write model essay exam answers. 

To preview 99 Motivators on Amazon: CLICK HERE

Celebrating 300,000 Web Hits

It's been a long and fun teaching and learning journey.

Embracing AI to Flip College Classrooms

Great time on Friday presenting "Embracing AI to Flip College Classrooms" at GOSS  conference at UNG, demonstrating some of the lessons from the ICT book.
 

ABSTRACT: This presentation shares lessons on how generative artificial intelligence helps engage students and inspire their learning. "No more lectures" may hold the key to student engagement, by creating dynamic group activities based on assigned podcasts. You can design real-world hypotheticals quickly with AI, sensitize students to the positive uses and limitations of the technology, and develop students’ critical thinking skills by devising solutions through teamwork and then testing how those solutions measure up to AI’s answers.

GPT: What to Do if You Are in a Car Accident

GPT did a good job here for our class discussion but it's because the Prompt was detailed:

GPT 4 – March 20, 2025 – Car Accident (the following is not legal advice)

PROMPT: Devise scenario where I am in a car accident, someone hit me, and I don't seem injured at the time. What should I do at the scene, who should I talk with and not talk with after the accident, and what other specific things do you recommend I do

Scenario: Car Accident Where You Don’t Seem Injured at the Time

You're driving through an intersection on a green light when another driver runs a red light and crashes into the side of your car. The impact is jarring, but after assessing yourself, you don’t feel any immediate pain or visible injuries. The other driver, clearly shaken, steps out and starts apologizing. Your car is damaged but still operable.

PRINT OUT AND KEEP IN GLOVE COMPARTMENT

Steps to Take at the Scene

1. Stay Calm & Ensure Safety
• Turn on your hazard lights.
• If it’s safe, move your car out of traffic to avoid further accidents.
2. Call 911 (Perry: call 311 or local police station if not an emergency)
• Request police assistance, even if the accident seems minor. A police report is crucial for insurance claims.
• If the other driver seems intoxicated or aggressive, let the dispatcher know.
3. Gather Information
• Exchange details with the other driver:
• Name
• Contact information
• Driver’s license number
• Insurance company and policy number
• License plate and vehicle make/model
• Get contact info for any witnesses.
• Note the location, time, and road conditions.
4. Take Photos & Videos
• Capture images of:
• Damage to both vehicles
• License plates
• The surrounding area (traffic signals, signs, skid marks, debris)
• Any visible injuries, even minor ones
• Record a brief video explaining what happened while it’s fresh in your memory.
5. Limit Conversation with the Other Driver
• DO NOT admit fault or say, “I’m okay” (you might not feel injuries immediately).
• DO NOT engage in arguments.
• Politely gather information and wait for the police.
6. Give a Statement to the Police
• Stick to the facts; avoid speculation.
• Request a copy of the police report or the report number for future reference.

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Who to Talk With & Who to Avoid

✅ Talk to:

• Police Officers – Provide honest, factual details.
• Your Insurance Company – Report the accident but avoid admitting fault until investigations are complete.
• Your Doctor – Even if you feel fine, injuries like whiplash or internal trauma may not appear until hours or days later.

🚫 Avoid Discussing Details With:

• The Other Driver’s Insurance – Their adjuster may try to get you to admit fault or downplay your claim. Direct them to your insurer or attorney.
• Social Media – DO NOT post about the accident, as insurers may use your posts against you.

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Additional Steps After the Accident

1. Seek Medical Attention
• Visit a doctor even if you feel fine—hidden injuries can surface later.
• Keep all medical records and receipts.
2. Notify Your Insurance Company
• Provide factual details and police report info.
• Ask about coverage for vehicle repairs, medical expenses, and rental cars.
3. Monitor for Delayed Symptoms
• Watch for neck pain, headaches, dizziness, or numbness—these could indicate injuries.
4. Consult a Lawyer (If Necessary)
• If the accident was serious, injuries appear later, or the other driver disputes fault, legal advice can help protect your rights.

 

Teaching Students How to Prompt Engineer and Put Accomplishments on Resumes

In Internet Law, students learned how to prompt engineer with GPT to "write" an NDA and purchase domain names.

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AI prompt engineer and AI consultant are the fastest-growing jobs (CNN, Feb. 27, 2025)

Build those skills and get them on the resume. For example:

Sample AI Prompt Engineering Skills

• Drafted non-disclosure agreement for a start up and refined queries for optimal result (GPT 4)
• Assessed and ranked the ten best domain names to purchase for a branded business (GPT 4)
  

AI-generated compilation of book reviews for Innovative College Teaching

I asked GPT to aggregate book reviews:

"Innovative College Teaching: Tips & Insights from 14 Master Teachers" by Perry Binder has garnered positive feedback from readers and reviewers, highlighting several key strengths:

Engaging and Practical Content

Readers appreciate the book's engaging and informative nature, noting that it offers practical, accessible ideas that can be readily implemented in the classroom. The inclusion of sample classroom materials and innovative teaching techniques is particularly valued. One reviewer remarked on the author's enthusiasm for not just exciting students but engaging them in their own instruction.

Insights from Diverse Educators

The book's structure, divided into two parts, provides a comprehensive perspective on teaching. The first part shares Binder's own teaching strategies, while the second part features interviews with 14 master teachers across various disciplines. This format offers readers a diverse range of experiences and methods, inspiring educators to incorporate new ideas into their own courses. A reviewer noted that the interviews were more engaging and useful than anticipated.

Adaptability to Modern Challenges

Binder addresses contemporary issues in education, such as the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into teaching practices. He provides examples of how AI can be used to create class activities quickly and develop students' critical thinking skills. This forward-thinking approach has been well-received by educators seeking to adapt to the evolving educational landscape.

Recognition and Awards

The book's impact is further evidenced by its accolades, including being an Amazon #1 Best Seller and #1 New Release in Teacher & Student Mentoring in early 2024.

Overall, "Innovative College Teaching" is praised for its practical advice, engaging content, and relevance to both new and seasoned educators aiming to enhance their teaching methods.

Presenting "Embracing AI to Flip College Classrooms" at the TCCTA Annual Convention

 

All - Looking forward to listening to teaching tips from other teachers and speaking on:

 "Embracing AI to Flip College Classrooms"

"No more lectures" may hold the key to student engagement and retention, by creating dynamic impromptu group activities based on assigned podcasts. You can create real-world hypotheticals quickly with AI, sensitize students to the positive uses and limitations of the technology, and develop students’ critical thinking skills by devising solutions through teamwork and then testing how those solutions measure up to AI’s answers. For example, the presenter used AI to create modules on various legal topics. The class was divided into groups of two or three for five minutes to discuss what they would do in each situation. When everyone reconvened, students gave their thoughts. Then, the Instructor put the AI-generated responses on the projector screen and they compared what the students said and what AI produced. The presenter weighed in on where the students and AI did well and what areas were deficient. These activities demonstrate the accuracy and possible flaws of relying on AI. The process: Think, Pair, Share, and Critique. Finally, this session will be interactive, with participants sharing their experiences so we learn from each other. The group will also discover future trends to embrace student-generated AI projects, with a demonstration and discussion of this technology’s benefits and challenges as a teaching tool.

Bulk Rates Available to Colleges Ordering Innovative College Teaching Book

I am happy to discuss bulk rates for the book, depending on the number ordered. Innovative College Teaching can also be bundled into the price of my Teacher Workshops on a case-by-case basis. I look forward to speaking with you about this.