Is Distance Learning Possible?

In Chapter Two of the book “On the Internet” by Hubert Dreyfus it is discussed whether or not distance learning is an appropriate form of learning. Dreyfus discusses seven stages in learning and tells whether or not that stage of learning can be achieved in a distance environment. The seven stages of learning are novice, advanced beginner, competence, proficiency, expertise, mastery and practical wisdom. Dreyfus suggests that the first two phases can be taught in a distance learning environment; however, beyond the second phase a person has to be taught in a classroom. The novice phase is when a person just learns facts just like a computer program. The advanced beginner phase the student begins to cope with real life situations and develop an understanding of the relevant context. Past the second stage the emotion of the student begins to have an aspect on learning which can not be taught over the internet. At later stages a learner seeks the knowledge of a master in order to gain more insight on a given field. When this stage is being taught the student tends to replicate the actions of the person that they are interning. In order to prevent students from becoming an exact replicate of the person that they are studying with other techniques must be followed. A student needs to be apprenticed to many people in order to get a mix and develop their own style.
I am writing with regard to Dr. Dreyfus's opinion that distance learning in not compatible to students wanting to gain a level of competence in a given subject. I have to agree that distance learning does pose certain problems if you actually want to gain a high level of understanding of a certain subject. However, does a one semester class really give a student this high level of understanding? I went to a school in England for awhile and the way that they teach students is that there are no Core Classes. All students spend three years getting a degree in lets say Chemistry taking only chemistry courses. This gives a better understanding for the student of the subject matter that they wish to pursue. Students also are more involved because the student cares about the subject matter. In many American schools not only does a student take some classes that involve the subject they will eventually have a job in but other core classes. For these core classes I don't believe that you can become an expert in the subject because not enough time and reinforcement is given. If this is true...then why does a student have to physically be in the classroom? I also had a distance learning course for politics and determined that I probably learned more in this class compared to the students in the traditional politics class. When talking to other students, it seemed like my teacher assigned more work since we were not taking the time to travel to campus and sit in the classroom. Therefore, overall I feel that some classes probably could get away with teaching online but others such as your major classes need to be taken in a classroom environment.