Distance Learning Is Hard To Manage, the real problem is distraction and comfort level. McGregor's X-Y Theory applies here. Highly motivated learners would excel in distance learning while others would struggle.
A teacher friend of mine says that a few of her students are doing better now, because they don't have the same distractions - like associating with friends - as before.
That doesn't seem to be an X or Y framing. Rather, what little I know of McGregor's models is that they assume a workforce environment ... and school isn't a workforce.
Alt title: Distance learning is a skill we need to help educators and students develop.