Case studies of email and video conferencing projects between partners in educational institutions in England and France are presented as a means of identifying the key issues that lead to the success of such activities. The writers, all of whom have a long history of being involved in such projects with schoolchildren and teachers, then consider the continuing failure of most educational institutions to make appropriate use of such technologies and practices despite the growing evidence for their efficacy. They suggest that key issues to be addressed include access to technology, support for teachers, understanding of pedagogical potential and the structuring of projects. (Contains 7 notes.)