Abstract: The evaluator in an online environment must make deliberate choices: she must craft a space and a mode of engagement that will elicit good information from participants. Whereas face-to-face focus groups draw on participants’ innate and rich capacity to exchange language and meaning in close proximity to each other, online focus groups must conceive of “proximity” and “exchange” in new ways. Moreover, in a world where technologies are constantly evolving, it is difficult to separate passing technology fads from lasting tools and trends. With these considerations in mind, this paper offers a framework for selecting an online focus group platform. It gives examples of both free and proprietary services that online evaluators may want to consider. It also emphasizes that the technology landscape is constantly evolving, and offers dimensions for selecting platforms that will be relevant across time, as platforms continue to evolve.#DistanceEdandOtherEducationalTech #HowTo #2012Conference #IntegratingTechnologyintoEvaluation #GraduateStudentandNewEvaluators #QualitativeMethods