distance learning and continuous partial attention...

while reading a page on neal stephenson's site, i came across the phrase "continuous partial attention" coined by linda stone.

this phrase perfectly describes how i feel about the semester so far, largely, i think, because i am teaching 2 distance learning classes. i check my email and the class forums compulsively, many times a day, and respond pretty much immediately to anything i receive - (which given my experience as a distance learning student, not to toot my own horn (well, perhaps a it), gives my students far more timely feedback than is the norm...)

still, i am concerned with the depth of the interaction. the asynchronous nature prevents a true implementation of the socratic method. i can pose a question back to the student to consider, or point the student in the right direction, but i am concerned the dialogue isn't as rich as in a classroom...

i suppose there are two possibilities:
a. find a way to incorporate more meaningful dialogue into a distance learning environment - imitationg that aspect of the classroom - and i'm not convinced that online chat, which seems like the obvious answer, is the way - perhaps that deserves its own post - as a student in distance learning classes, i prefer asynchronous discussion forums to the chaos of online chat
b. accept it as a limitation and look for other meaningful ways to provide the students powerful educational experiences different than the classroom experience

any ideas would be appreciated...