Engaging Families via the Internet: Process and Challenges

Abstract

A number of questions evolve around the best mechanism for using technology to support families and give voice to their special needs and interests across the life course. This article describes the processes and challenges involved in developing a longitudinal online data collection system and building an online community. While research is beginning to emerge which describes how families use the Internet for knowledge acquisition, this project is unique in its attempt to engage families as producers and consumers of knowledge, in addition to being partners in the process of developing an online community.