While Minnesota Office of Higher Education banned its residents from using Coursera, a free online college course provider, Boston University students said online education adds a new dimension to learning that is possible with current technology.

The online environment can be very good for more thoughtful communications, more reflecting and interactive communications, said School of Education professor David Whittier.

Coursera offers about 200 courses in topics including business, humanities, medicine, biology and computer science, all online and free of charge. However, taking these online courses does not result in a degree from a university.

Coursera was banned in Minnesota because it never had permission to operate there from the state government, according to Courseras website.

Although online learning adds to the educational experience, Whittier said it is no replacement for classroom learning.

When you meet together in a classroom with people, there is an exchange of energy between people, he said. By having a hybrid learning experience, you can try to capture the advantages of both forms.

Online forums provide information exchange and document repository for reflective discussions, Whittier said. The classroom allows students and teachers to build social intelligence and interpersonal interactions.

Some students said they support online courses and learning for its valuable flexibility and accessibility.

A lot of adults in higher education, if they work, need some alternate to day classes in classrooms, said Erin Robinson, a School of Social Work graduate student.

Some members of the BU community also said taking online courses, such as those offered by Coursera, is helpful for students who want to academically branch out.

See the article here:
Minn. ruling highlights online classes