Trends in distance Ed

I have always wondered in my 7th grade pre-algebra class if there is a better way to help students at home besides the book. I think i am starting to see how. I can you so many resources that are already created to help the students along. I think it may be more for an addition to the class rather that the whole class. I can see how i am able to answer questions as students have them and how this helps them before they get too frustrated. I think that if it was no face to face interaction the students would get frustrated and struggle with the learning.