I find it easier to communicate in writing if I have to explain something relatively complex, because that way I have time to organize my thoughts and to read over what I wrote and make any clarifications I feel are necessary. I find it very difficult to contribute to a verbal discussion of a complex topic, as in a class discussion. When I was a student I rarely spoke up in class, and when I did I was often misunderstood or dismissed, because I did not make my point clearly.
On the other hand, I think we have all experienced how terrible email communication can be when we're feeling emotional and the topic being discussed brings up emotions, especially anxiety or fear. It's very easy to misunderstand the tone and intention, and to become hurt or offended, or to cause hurt and offense, when it was not intended, and then the misunderstandings can accumulate and it can get worse and worse. In that case it's better to have an in person conversation.
Also, we have all seen how nasty people can be online. That's because not seeing someone face to face makes it a lot easier to not think of their humanity and to say nasty things.
So all in all, as hard as it is, I think in person communication has some important advantages.