I've been using alternative pedagogical techniques for many years. Whether it works or not depends on the kinds of course, students and instructors. For instance, teaching Speech or a Chemistry lab on-line is going to be very difficult. Teaching plumbing code or the history of philosophy is much easier.
You do lose interaction with other students in the classroom. This can be either good or bad. If you're 45yrs old, returning to school, do you want to spend your classroom time interacting with 18yr olds? You can also avoid those teachers who think education consists of putting 18yr old students together in a group and expecting them to develop the history of sociology sui generis. On the other hand, it's easier for me to get a student to think through a difficult philosophical problem face to face.
These kinds of classes are usually ideal for people with out of the norm schedules like firefighters.
I always offer the option of face to face meetings with the instructor in these kinds of classes.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
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1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
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