While there are advantages to both the Coursera format is asynchronous. This makes it fundamentally better able to accommodate different progress rates. Student can individually adjust course parameters to suit how they best learn.

(1) Adjustable lecture playback speed accomodates both slow and faster learners. (2) Stop and rewind buttons allow adhoc research of unclear points in the middle of lectures as well as easy review. (3) Short (usually 15min) lecture segments match actual attention spans. (4) Active message boards allow quick and easy help from both staff and other students. (5) Timing lectures and coursework is flexible. Learn better late at night - no problem.

None of these were apparent to me until I took a few Coursera classes. I suggest anyone interested in this issue take a class on Coursera (or EdX, Udacity or another platform) and see for themselves. You may learn something!