From the Literature

We will periodically highlight an article or other resource that proposes methods for using metaliteracy in practice, or the theory connected with metaliteracy. This initial From the Literature post brings to your attention a 2021 article by Kristen Schuster and Kristine N, Stewart, “Using Constructive Alignment to Support Metaliteracy,” published in the Journal of Education for Library and Information Science.

This article provides a case study that allows the authors to highlight key pedagogical suggestions and insights that have the potential to impact teaching and learning. The course that is the subject of the study focuses on XML and theories of knowledge organization in which many international postgraduate students were enrolled. Schuster and Stewart examine course assessment-related components and how metaliteracy, particularly metacognition, may be integrated to enhance student success. The pedagogical elements that they raise might be used in a wide variety of courses to meet the same goal of student success.

The authors consider the interplay between metaliteracy, constructive alignment, and learning-oriented assessments. They define constructive alignment as “a model of curriculum design in which teaching/learning activities and assessment tasks are systematically aligned” (p. 4) with the learning outcomes that an instructor has identified. Learning oriented assessment (LOA) supports the use of a range of assessment types that provide learners with “regular and applicable feedback” (p. 5) and that lends itself to instructors and students co-constructing assessments and feedback mechanisms.

Schuster and Stewart write,

This process of co-construction offers opportunities to scaffold curriculum and encourage students to actively acquire, transfer, and enhance their understanding(s) of the abilities and theories taught during a module. This approach shifts students’ focus away from performing certain study abilities and shifts it toward measuring their success against abstract frameworks for success. (p. 5)

They continue, drawing together constructive alignment and LOA with metaliteracy,

This shift has the potential to empower them to collaboratively and dynamically use curricular content to actively integrate their knowledge and experiences into teaching and assessment frameworks. This, in turn, enhances the types of work and feedback students are willing to engage in and has the potential to expand their metaliteracy practices beause they are able to synthesize new, taught abilities with their pre-existing skills. (p. 5)

Schuster and Stewart were working with international and English as a Foreign Language students during the fall 2017 and spring 2019 semesters. Toward the end of their article, they discuss how the course instructor used metaliteracy to make significant revisions to the course, including assessments, lectures, and seminar activities (p. 5).

The assessment techniques and strategies that the authors outline are transferable to a wide range of courses. Their insight that led to the incorporation of metaliteracy is noted in one in the Key Points they highlight on the first page of the article, “Metaliteracy can be adapted and used to develop innovative forms of assessment” (p.1).

We encourage you to read this important article, as this brief overview can not hope to capture the full impact of the authors’ work.

Citation:

Schuster, Kristen, and Kristine N. Stewart. 2021. ‘Using Constructive Alignment to Support Metaliteracy in International Classrooms’. Journal of Education for Library and Information Science 62 (1): 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3138/jelis.62.1-2019-0077

New Metaliteracy Book Reviewed in the Latest Journal of Information Literacy

Now that Metaliteracy in a Connected World: Developing Learners as Producers has been published, what do the critics think? We were thrilled to read this review of our new book written by Jodie R Heap from Staffordshire University in the latest issue of Journal of Information Literacy, one of the premiere journals in the field!

According to Heap’s book review of Metaliteracy in a Connected World:

The flow of the text works well to introduce the reader to the concepts surrounding metaliteracy and then proceeds to provide evidence and a variety of examples of metaliteracy in action within Higher Education settings. The reader is supported in their understanding of how application of the metaliteracy framework and concepts could vary depending on the course. The activity section deserves particular appreciation —it provides various examples through which the framework could be applied, a useful scaffolding tool which not many texts offer.

(Heap, 2022, p. 131)

The reviewer provides an analysis of all six of the book’s chapters and argues that “It offers a useful jumping off point for both teachers and librarians in exploring the application of metaliteracy in the classroom” (Heap, 2022, p. 132).

We appreciate this review of our latest metaliteracy book published by ALA Neal-Schuman and look forward to seeing how it is received by authors and practitioners in the field and beyond. If you are aware of other reviews, feel free to send them our way!

Tom and Trudi

HEAP, Jodie R. Book review of Mackey, T., and Jacobson, T. 2022. Metaliteracy in a connected world: Developing learners as producers. Journal of Information Literacy, [S.l.], v. 16, n. 1, p. 131-132, june 2022. ISSN 1750-5968. Available at: <https://ojs.lboro.ac.uk/JIL/article/view/BR-V16-11-1>. Date accessed: 20 june 2022. doi: https://doi.org/10.11645/16.1.3217.

Metaliteracy Explored in New Open Praxis Article about Digital Storytelling

Circular diagram of the metaliteracy model.

What is the connection between the metaliteracy model and digital storytelling? Read the new article entitled Integrating Metaliteracy into the Design of a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Course in Digital Storytelling (Mackey & Aird, 2022) just published in Open Praxis.

According to the new article co-authored by Dr. Thomas Mackey and Dr. Sheila Aird:

This paper describes the redesign of Digital Storytelling as a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) course that was taught in fall 2020 and spring 2021 at SUNY Empire State College. Metaliteracy is integrated into the learning design of this fully online course to enhance the virtual international experience. This pedagogical model encourages metacognitive reflection and the production of digital narratives as individuals and in collaboration with peers.

(Mackey & Aird, 2022)

An earlier version of this paper was presented by Mackey & Aird at the ICDE Virtual Global Conference Week 2021: Upskilling and upscaling for quality Open, Flexible and Distance Learning (OFDL) in October 2021. The paper was then preselected for publication in Open Praxis, the peer-reviewed journal published by the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE). To learn more about this digital storytelling collaboration, explore the Global Digital Stories blog managed by the two authors.

Mackey, T. P., & Aird, S. M. (2022). Integrating Metaliteracy into the Design of a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Course in Digital Storytelling. Open Praxis13(4), 397–403. DOI: http://doi.org/10.55982/openpraxis.13.4.442

Metaliteracy Explored in Deliberative Conversation about Identifying and Resisting Misinformation

Picture of Tom Mackey presenting at Deliberative Conversation. Photograph take by Anita Brown.

A new metaliteracy workshop was facilitated by Prof. Tom Mackey as a Deliberative Conversation at the SUNY Empire State College Student Academic Conference on April 7, 2022. This was the first in-person student conference at the college since the global pandemic prevented such face-to-face gatherings for two years.

The interactive workshop provided an excellent opportunity to engage with students directly about Developing Metaliteracy to Identify and Resist Misinformation. This most current Deliberative Conversation was organized by Anita DeCianni-Brown, Collegewide Career Development Coordinator at SUNY Empire.

Photo of Tom Mackey and Students at Deliberative Conversation.

For additional background about the development of Deliberative Conversations at SUNY Empire State College, explore the paper by Principal Investigator (PI) Dr. Rhianna C. Rogers and co-PIs (including Anita Brown) for the Rockefeller Institute entitled The Value of Deliberative Conversation in Participatory Action Research A Student Commentary on the Buffalo Project – Academic Year 2017-18 (Murawski, et. al., 2020).

The metaliteracy resources, questions, and techniques applied in this workshop are openly available and transferrable to a wide range of settings. Feel free to facilitate your own Deliberative Conversation at your institution based on this presentation.

Photo credit: Thanks to Anita DeCianni-Brown, Collegewide Career Development Coordinator at SUNY Empire.

Metaliteracy and Its Role in Self-Directed Learning

In a Prestige Lecture presented as a virtual event for North-West University (NWU) in South Africa, Profs. Tom Mackey and Trudi Jacobson explore the topic of Metaliteracy and Its Role in Self-Directed Learning. This talk is based on their new book for ALA Publishing Metaliteracy in a Connected World: Developing Learners as Producers. Tom and Trudi presented as part of their honorary appointments as Extraordinary Professors in the Research Unit Self-Directed Learning, Faculty of Education, North-West University (NWU), South Africa. They appreciate the invitation from Elsa Mentz, Director of the Research Focus Area Self-Directed Learning and Professor in Computer Science Education and Jako Olivier, UNESCO Chair on Multimodal Learning and OER and Professor in Multimodal Learning at NWU. The entire presentation is available online via YouTube. Registration is open for their next Prestige Lecture scheduled for Tuesday 8 March 2022 8:00AM-9:00AM (Eastern time). Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_X5X1rwdRQ02n2DpjdSqNGw

Workshop on Teaching and Mentoring with Metaliteracy

A new metaliteracy workshop by Prof. Tom Mackey was presented online for the Center for Mentoring, Learning, and Academic Innovation (CMLAI) at SUNY Empire State College. Tom conducted this interactive workshop as part of his appointment this year as Dr. Susan H. Turben Chair in Mentoring. The presentation, entitled “Metaliteracy in Teaching/Mentoring Practice,” was recorded and is available via SUNY Empire’s LEARNscape platform. The session provides a theoretical overview of the metaliteracy model and explores ways to integrate metaliteracy roles and objectives into learning activities. Specific examples of metaliteracy in practice are provided from courses that Tom teaches, including Digital Storytelling, Ethics of Digital Art & Design, and Educational Planning. Participants of the workshop learned about the theory and practice of metaliteracy and considered learning activities to apply in their own teaching. The themes and techniques discussed in the workshop are transferrable to a wide range of settings.

Recorded Session: Metaliteracy and Teaching/Mentoring Practice

Metaliteracy Featured in Two Prestige Lectures at the Invitation of Northwest University (NWU) in South Africa

Picture of the cover for the book Metaliteracy in a Connected World: Developing Learners as Producers

Profs. Trudi Jacobson and Tom Mackey have been invited to present two Prestige lectures as part of their honorary appointments as Extraordinary Professors in the Research Unit Self-Directed Learning, Faculty of Education, North-West University, South Africa, These virtual events explore themes from their new book for ALA Publishing Metaliteracy in a Connected World: Developing Learners as Producers and are available to everyone.

Register for either or both lectures at the links below:

Prestige Lecture 1: Metaliteracy and Its Role in Self-Directed Learning (SDL) with Profs. Tom Mackey and Trudi Jacobson

Friday 11 February 2022 8:00AM-9:00AM (Eastern time). Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mj8jdegwSpCTJRnbqPuXtA

This first lecture will trace the origins of the metaliteracy framework in relation to changing conceptions of information literacy and revolutionary changes in the social information environment. We will explore the evolution of metaliteracy as a distinct model with core components that include a focus on learning domains, active learner roles, associated characteristics, and reinforcing goals and learning objectives. 

Prestige Lecture 2: Open Pedagogy and Metaliteracy with Pros. Trudi Jacobson and Tom Mackey

Tuesday 8 March 2022 8:00AM-9:00AM (Eastern time). Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_X5X1rwdRQ02n2DpjdSqNGw

The use of open pedagogy provides students with the opportunity to engage deeply in their own learning, but the responsibilities involved may be unfamiliar and stressful. The metaliteracy framework provides scaffolding that encourages student success. This lecture will delve into how metaliteracy and open pedagogy can work hand-in-hand.

Join us for both lectures exploring the metaliteracy framework and its application in pedagogical situations.

In 2019, Tom and Trudi presented a Prestige Lecture in person at NWU in South Africa at the invitation of Jako Olivier, UNESCO Chair on Multimodal Learning and OER and Professor in Multimodal Learning about Exploring the Foundation of Metaliteracy in Theory and Practice.

We hope to see you at the newest lecture series available online! Be sure to register today!

Tom and Trudi  

Portuguese Translation of the First Metaliteracy Book is Published!

The first metaliteracy book, Metaliteracy: Reinventing Information Literacy to Empower Learners, written by Tom Mackey and Trudi Jacobson (2014) has been translated into Portuguese. This is the first-ever translation of an entire metaliteracy book. The Brazilian Institute of Information in Science and Technology (ibict), Research Unit of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), in partnership with UNESCO and ALA/Neal-Schuman Publishing has published this Portuguese translation. Special thanks to Helda Pinheiro and to Dr. Cecília Leite, Director of Ibict, for her enormous support in translating the book, as well as the Faculty of Information Science at the University of Brasília. Thanks to everyone at ALA/Neal-Schuman Publishing as well.

Metaletramento

Embedding Metaliteracy in Learning Design to Advance Metacognitive Thinking: From OER to MOOCs

As part of this year’s European Conference on Information Literacy (ECIL 2021), Tom Mackey and Trudi Jacobson presented the paper “Embedding Metaliteracy in Learning Design to Advance Metacognitive Thinking: From OER to MOOCs.” The full-text version of the paper is available via ResearchGate. According to the abstract:

This paper describes several examples of how metaliteracy is embedded in teaching praxis through open educational resources (OER) that include interactive learning objects and digital badging content as well as fully developed Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Specifically, these metaliteracy OER have been applied by the authors in an information literacy course at the University at Albany, SUNY, as well as online courses in the Digital Arts at SUNY Empire State College (Mackey & Jacobson, 2021).

This presentation follows an interactive workshop entitled “Teaching with Metaliteracy: Developing Informed, Reflective, and Participatory Citizens” that was provided at the conference earlier in the week. All of these ideas and resources are transferrable to a wide range of teaching and learning environments. If you would like to talk with us about ways to apply metaliteracy OER to your setting, feel free to reach out to us.

Tom and Trudi

New Metaliteracy Article Published in C&RL News

Are you embracing and advocating for metaliteracy?

Read the new article by Valerie J. Hill and Thomas P. Mackey published in College & Research Libraries News entitled Embracing Metaliteracy: Metamodern libraries and virtual learning communities to explore the benefits of engaging with metaliteracy in today’s fractured information environment. This essay explores the theory of metamodernism and virtual library communities through the lens of metaliteracy. According to Hill and Mackey:

As educators strive to deal with this information flood in a world of partisan politics and questionable content, critical and reflective thinking are required to better understand this philosophical moment and one’s role in it. Metaliteracy promotes the development of metaliterate digital citizens who are civic-minded and effectively produce content in a participatory networked culture (Hill & Mackey, 2021, p. 220).

As part of this article, the Community Virtual Library (CVL) in Second Life is analyzed through the four primary goals of metaliteracy. Valerie J. Hill is the director of the CVL and provides insights about related programming in this virtual library community such as the annual Dickens Project that features a reading of A Christmas Carol and historical simulations.

Thanks to Trudi E. Jacobson for reading a draft of the article and providing feedback!

Hill, V., & Mackey, T. (2021). Embracing metaliteracy: Metamodern libraries and virtual learning communities. College & Research Libraries News, 82(5), 219.
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