Well first of all, thanks for your response.
1. Since this is going to be a group venture, I think that there is no definite fixed idea that I am bound by.
2. The basic problems with forums is that everyone is doing them, and that almost no one's participating. There is a recent thread on this topic.
3. The basic idea is beginning with a group of interested individuals who would be building highly interesting context rich topics.
4. Getting discussions going would be quite simple, since the group will be composed of numerous individuals.
5. Furthermore, the more people involved, the more friends associates, etc., that they have.
6. I think it would be good to divide up into individuals specialties, e.g., math, reading, parents issues, legal issues, special ed., which is my specialty, etc. Mods & Adms. in each one's interest or speciality, who would assist in building discussion for other groups.
7. What will motivate the group?
a) This could either be profit sharing,
b) Advert sharing - like About.Com does,
c) or for philanthropy purposes.
These all depend upon the group.
Well I think that's some of it in a nutshell.
Just remember, Google & Apple were some average people with crazy ideas, and look where they are today.