I also agree with Aretae that the vast majority of work in a modern degree program is make-work, and replicating it on-line may not be worth the trouble.

I’m a bit confused by the notion that on-line classes would provide socialization and obviate the need to send kids off to brick-and-mortar institutions. I may not like the kind of socialization they receive at modern public high schools, but it’s something more than, say, Facebook alone can provide.

Periodic attendence would allow the social aspect and give better feedback from instructors. It would also keep students honest about doing their own work to come in periodically and take tests, especially.