Google have launched an [1] opportunity for mostly NGOs and others to explore and showcase projects using Google Earth KML files. There is an education and culture section amongst others. I’ve just visited the Shimshal Valley in Pakistan and a 3D tour of Tutankhamun’s tomb with no airport delays and hardly any carbon emissions - its early days for this, but it could be a fascinating way to add context to learning pieces, very visually ‘pleasing’. 

[2] MIT’s article discusses virtual space layout and one of Second Life’s designers suggests that Second Life’s virtual conference rooms might be more useful if they didn’t resemble their real-world counterparts.