Both the students and the teacher can point to information in the workspace and can annotate it to assist their discussion. They can also type words into the workspace, for example to clarify spellings. Another application uses the same technique to allow scholars to study historical documents kept in museums and libraries. These items are usually unique and extremely valuable, so physical access is often restricted. This technique allows priceless information to be protected from the risk of damage while at the same providing much wider and easier access.
Research chemists create three dimensional models of molecules in shared workspace.
The molecules can be rotated, vibrated and modified as the scientists work together in a distributed virtual laboratory. This allows remote students to observe the surgery that is taking place in the operating theatre. A microphone attached to the surgeon allows the remote students to hear the surgeon's commentary, while an audio channel in the other direction enables then to ask the surgeon questions. The students can access to a wider range of surgery demonstrations and have a better view of what the surgeon is doing than if they were actually present in the operating theatre trying to peer over his shoulder.