If they don't force it people won't complete the course. While that at first sounds good - they collect money - long term people who complete courses are your best marketing as they tell others and so completion is importation and thus the deadlines.
Though how much force is best is subject to debate.
> long term people who complete courses are your best marketing as they tell others and so completion is importation and thus the deadlines
I don't see why completing courses is a customer satisfaction criterion. I've had many courses that I didn't complete, yet I was quite satisfied with the content and could recommend it to friends.
On the other hand it puts me off. I'd never pay for this myself as it is.
Either way I kinda hate the 'course' format to learn stuff. I don't have the patience for it. Usually the official documentation teaches the same but in much more condensed format so I can absorb it much quicker. Because online trainings are always paced so the slowest participant can keep up and that's agonising when you have a 140+ IQ and ADHD.
I'd rather hyperfocus and learn everything in half a day. I've always done it like that and I'm a deep expert. PS not trying to brag here, these things are both a blessing and a curse.
But my work paid a lot for Coursera so they're always pushing people to use it :(
Though how much force is best is subject to debate.