The online Advanced Diploma course that I am currently undertaking uses what they call a "Virtual Classroom" (or "Webinar" ) to counter those difficulties of distance education that you mention. The Virtual Classroom allows students to interact with both each other and the lecturer via either the chatbox or the microphone.
Having completed the theoretical component of my appranticeship by distance education, then attempted several correspondence courses after that, I am very familiar with the problems of studying by distance education. The Virtual Classroom, though, is a very effective way of keeping students motivated. (Anybody interested in pursuing such a course could check out the website www.eit.edu.au)
As an aside, this WTS / FDS / BG nonsense about "bad associations at college" merits further comment. They are okay with a young person leaving school and going to work, but not going to college - because of the issue of "bad associations". Do those idiots really believe that a young person is not going to be exposed to "bad associations" in the workplace? If so, they they are indeedtotally out of touch with reality! (As I remember well as a 17 year old, dropped fair into the middle of an alcohol-sodden workplace environment!)
Bill.