"Collaboratories," a term coined in 1989 by computer scientist William Wulf, are enabling people at various sites to work on experiments simultaneously. These "centers without walls" include computer software specifically designed for the collaboratory and shared access to electronic notebooks, whiteboards and videoconferencing. This new way of working together seems to increase mentoring opportunities, raise the number and quality of interactions, foster cooperation across disciplines, provide access to a wider range of electronic instruments and information and help bring theory and practice together.

But collaboratories present challenges as well. Within this virtual environment, participants need to work to develop and refine the skills of teamwork; they need to better understand what it means to create a "sense of presence" and they need to learn to establish a deep sense of trust with their colleagues.

It is estimated that, to date, there are about two dozen collaboratories in operation in the fields of science, medicine, business and education. And, as we move toward the year 2000, it is certain that a growing number of professionals will adopt this type of collaboration. (See "The Virtues [and Vices] of Virtual Colleagues," Ross-Flanigan, N. MIT's Technology Review, Mar/Apr 98)