Research shows that active learning encourages students to take ownership of their education. Using active learning methods in your classroom compels students to develop life-long skills like critical thinking and time management. Linda Nilson, Director of the Clemson University Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation, will visit LU on September 27 and 28. One of her planned workshops is Transforming Your Students Into Self-Regulated Learners. Hold the dates on your calendar now and look for more detailed information in your inbox soon. Since we frequently utilize the electronic journal service of the MJGL, this article by Steve Kolowich on the evolution of the peer-review process was very interesting. Joe Pickrell, a doctoral student in biology at the University of Chicago asks, "Left unanswered … is a more fundamental question: why do we publish scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals to begin with?" Do you find yourself struggling to create posters that catch your colleagues eyes while expressing your scholarly intent? A colleague recommended the use of PosterGenius. I took a look and it appears that it would be very useful. See what you think. With the advent of ereaders like Nook and Kindle, you knew the publishers would look for new ways to keep them relevant. The textbook arena is the natural next step. It certainly provides a nice alternative to carrying around tons of heavy textbooks. Sarah Kessler writes in her article on the subject, "Barnes & Noble focused on the etextbook game in 2010 with the release of its free desktop ereader, Nook Study. The software allows students to read, search and annotate textbooks, as well as keeps track of course-related documents. Students can also use the Internet to look up definitions and other information, like formulas, directly from the text." We are still accepting ideas for Faculty Learning Communities that we first discussed July 1 on this blog. Look for more information about this exciting program here and in your inbox.