Class meetings were optional (which I did attend) and only a fraction of the students actually attended. I don't have a problem with cs229a being easier than 229, but the thing is a lot of other classes have now turned to the online format with no alternative (like 229 to 229a). Selfstudy is great, but sometimes the best way to learn is from a structured class.
<i> Selfstudy is great, but sometimes the best way to learn is from a structured class</i>
Well lots of people might like to be treated like grown ups and not like the structured classes and who knows they might even write a letter asking for refund
I do not think structured classes is equivalent to being treated like a child.
It was intended as a general comment that some people might not like it and equate it like that based on his comment that only a fraction people actually attended it and maybe if it was made compulsory they might not like it and there is a probability that they will say that.
Just a point that what ever you do there will be some group that will not like it .
