Why learning coding online will never beat classroom training

The (often unquestioned) assumption driving online learning is that it can be as good as face-to-face learning (or good enough not to matter). Online education's backers must make this assumption because, as Upton Sinclair said, 'It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.'

What if they turn out to be horribly wrong?

I see your point, but:

1) Most teachers aren't as awsome as you may be

2) Online tools are getting better and better

3) Web provides access to a much wider audience

4) You get the opportunity to learn from people that you couldn't in any other case.

I think we need to work hard to find the way to mix the best of both worlds in an efficient way.

I skipped most of my classes as an undergraduate, now I am doing a PhD at a top-tier institution. How do we reconcille, the boring and wasteful experience of many classrooms with this article?

there are many good reasons to go to college other than to gain the knowledge taught in class.

While I can see the point of using online education to learn a specific skill I need for my work, I very strongly prefer to attend a regular class.