#tellusatoday: Online education best way to cut cost?

We asked our followers on Twitter whether an online education was the best way to cut through the costs of obtaining a college degree. Responses were edited for clarity and grammar.

Education is paramount. Everyone should have a fighting chance at acquiring a degree.

--@its_me_spence

Yes, I think online learning is valuable, but how can cheating be controlled?

--@jnthnadams

Some things cannot be taught online. The college experience is important to emotional development.

--@FarenRaborn

Some day Coursera, which offers online courses, may be offering degrees for free. I'm taking a free neuroscience class right now.

--@NevadaBanker

Even though teaching skills for some must improve, in-class learning is still way more valuable than online learning.

--@sethrhoden

What about lab practices? What about consulting with a professor? Those things would be missing in the online environment.

--@KepexAqui

Met an online professor through The OpEd Project, a group that aims encourage women writers, who made me see downside of online learning. Critical thinking is crucial to higher learning, and often missing online.

--@XimenaTalks

I received one of two master's degrees online. I'm all for it. Easy for full-time employees and parents.

--@OlsonAH82

For more of the conversation, follow @USATOpinion or #tellusatoday on Twitter.