An active essay is an essay on a computer that contains not only text, but some for of computerized text. Unlike a printed essay, an active essay can have animations, buttons, calculators, and even full-blown simulations built in to them.
A major goal of Squeak is to allow the creation of active essays.
SqueakMap has an active essay about table layouts.
We need more examples!
Squeak needs to have a critical mass of active essays in order to figure out what the next step is. Why not write an active esasy about something you find interesting, and post it on SqueakMap and/or the Swiki? The people on the Squeak Mailing Lists and in IRC channel will be extremely helpful with any difficulties you run into.