Instructor has Watched Online Classes Grow Over a Generation

Patricia Morris has a solid piece of advice for students: study what you love, but have a backup plan.

At Bryant & Stratton College Morris teaches philosophy and critical thinking, a career path that began with a subject she loved.

“When you are young and foolish you get a degree you love with no practical purpose,” she says with a laugh. “I have a master’s in religious studies and philosophy. I love it but both are not money makers.”

Lucky for Bryant & Stratton students, Morris’ love for philosophy translates into a love of helping them take on what many consider to be one of the school’s hardest courses. Not necessarily because the subject is the most difficult, but rather because people fear the subject matter.

“Most students say they waited until the last minute to take this course,” Morris said. “I think if you can get students past the fear of it, they enjoy it.

“Logic classes are hard. These are discussions you might not want to have, like where am I going in the afterlife. If I can get them to relax to have the discussion they like it,” Morris said.

Morris said she was in the first generation of college instructors to move from a brick and mortar setting to the online classroom. Initially, she said, naysayers said it was impossible to learn in an online course.

“I think people aren’t afraid of it anymore,” she said.

The more Morris taught online, the more of an expert she became in using the various online platforms and learning management systems. Now she also serves as a faculty coach.

“I love the interaction with the other faculty,” she said. “It’s very much like a family. It’s different than any place I’ve taught.”