In a recent post, Jack Vinson points to a new book on OL that emphasizes the importance of face-to-face relationships (as opposed to virtual ones) in knowledge work. I believe this is true for education, and can probably be generalized to all experiences. The virtual will in almost every case be a poor substitute to the real. Electronic communications should only be the primary form of communcation in those instances where physical, face-to-face interaction isn't possible.