The interactive workshop Advancing OER Through Metaliteracy and AI Integration, presented by Prof. Tom Mackey of Empire State University, explored the application of metaliteracy and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the design of Open Educational Resources (OER). This online session was organized by Prof. Dorothy Laubscher, UNESCO Chair at North-West University (NWU) in South Africa, and was featured as part of the NWU OER Fellows and the SADiLaR Digital Humanities OER Champions Project.
The workshop introduced key concepts from metaliteracy and emphasized the updated Metaliteracy Goals and Learning Objectives to address the challenges and opportunities of AI for teaching and learning. Participants engaged in several interactive surveys and two workshop activities that emphasized ethical, creative, and collaborative applications of AI in open learning environments. The session illustrated how careful planning and inclusive engagement reinforce the learning experience through the development of sustainable OER.
Real-world examples from the Digital Media Arts program at Empire State University illustrated how metaliteracy supports self-directed and multimodal learning in AI-driven environments.
The video recording from the session is now available:
Video recording of OER + Metaliteracy + AI Workshop
Watch the video to learn how to integrate AI and metaliteracy to support effective OER development. Try the workshop activities or adapt them to your OER projects. We invite you to share the outcome of your work via this blog, and we’ll gladly support you in doing so. If you have any questions, let us know!
At the Faculty360.org 2025 Summit, hosted virtually by Zayed University in the United Arab Emirates, Tom Mackey delivered a presentation titled “Developing Metaliterate Learners for Generative AI.” The summit theme, Beyond the AI Hype: Faculty Futures in a Changing World, provided the context for a session that introduced metaliteracy as a holistic pedagogical framework for teaching and learning with generative AI. The presentation examined how the model supports critical thinking, knowledge production, and collaborative learning in AI environments.
The talk outlined the key elements of the metaliteracy framework and illustrated how its learner domains, roles, and characteristics guide effective engagement with generative AI. The 2025 revision of the Metaliteracy Goals and Learning Objectives was discussed as a transferable resource for educators seeking to support ethical, reflective, and empowered engagement with AI across disciplines.
Several examples of learning activities from the Digital Media Arts program at Empire State University illustrated how the integration of AI and metaliteracy can foster creativity, critical reflection, and informed decision-making. The session also introduced new versions of the metaliteracy diagrams, offering updated visualizations that show how the framework enhances multiple modality learning in a wide range of educational settings.
The slide deck from this presentation is now available and can be accessed below.
If you would like to contribute your own take on these ideas, particularly as they relate to the metaliteracy framework and the updated Metaliteracy Goals and Learning Objectives, we would be glad to work with you on a guest blog post.
Are you interested in learning how to apply AI to create Open Educational Resources (OER)? Tom Mackey will explore this topic in an online presentation entitled “Advancing OER Through Metaliteracy and AI Integration” on November 12, 2025 at 8:00AM EST (New York) / 15:00 SAST (South Africa).
This virtual event is organized by the North-West University (NWU) UNESCO Chair and part of the NWU OER Fellows and the SADiLaR Digital Humanities OER Champions Project.
As noted in the event description:
The presentation introduces key concepts from metaliteracy and emerging AI literacy models, focusing on the updated metaliteracy goals and learning objectives, which have been revised to address the unique challenges and opportunities of AI-enhanced teaching and learning. Participants will engage in a practical workshop where they adapt and apply these themes to their own OER projects. Real-world examples from the Digital Media Arts program at Empire State University will illustrate how metaliteracy supports self-directed and multimodal learning in AI environments.
Session Takeaways:
Gain practical insights into how AI tools can be effectively applied to the development of Open Educational Resources (OER) through the lens of metaliteracy.
Participate in guided discussions and interactive learning activities that emphasize ethical, reflective, and collaborative engagement with AI in OER creation.
Explore strategies to empower educators and learners as metaliterate creators who design, share, and adapt OER for a global learning community.
Don’t miss this virtual event. Add it to your calendar and join via the Microsoft Teams link in the event announcement.
Framed around the idea of learners as “humans in the loop” (Wu, et. al., 2022), the session highlighted diverse case studies that offered practical strategies for empowering individuals to engage with AI critically, ethically, and collaboratively.
Representing the team in person were Matt Moyo (North-West University, South Africa), Kristine N. Stewart (Zayed University, United Arab Emirates), and Tom Mackey (Empire State University, USA), (all pictured above). The panel also drew on the important contributions of Brenda Van Wyk (University of Pretoria, South Africa), Megan Eberhardt-Alstot (Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology, USA), and Kristen Schuster (University of Southampton, UK).
The case studies showcased during the session reflected a wide range of perspectives and areas of inquiry, including Generative AI and the Metaliterate Learner, Responsible Use of AI in Postgraduate Research, Misrepresentation in AI, Inclusive Curriculum Design, and the Ethics of AI in Digital Media Arts. Together, these themes underscored the value of metaliteracy as a framework for engaging with AI while emphasizing the human capacity for metacognitive reflection, ethical responsibility, and collaborative knowledge construction.
If you would like to share your own explorations with AI and Metaliteracy, feel free to reach out to us and we would be happy to share via our Metaliteracy.org blog.
Tom and Trudi
Reference
Wu, X., Xiao, L., Sun, Y., Zhang, J., Ma, T., & He, L. (2022). A survey of human-in-the-loop for machine learning. Future Generation Computer Systems, 135, 364–381. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.future.2022.05.014
The two metaliteracy panels are featured as part of the full conference agenda and include:
Panel Presentation: Humans in the Loop: Advancing Metaliteracy for Generative AI Learning Environments
This international panel on Tuesday, Sept. 23 2025 will explore the transformative potential of metaliteracy as a holistic framework for addressing the global challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence (AI). The panelists will present descriptive case studies from around the world that demonstrate actionable strategies for empowering learners as humans in the loop through metaliteracy.
Panelists:
Thomas P. Mackey, Empire State University, USA
Brenda Van Wyk, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Megan Eberhardt-Alstot, Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology, USA
Kristine N. Stewart, Zayed University, United Arab Emirates
Kristen Schuster, University of Southampton, UK
Matt Moyo, North-West University, South Africa
Paper Presentation: Combining Information Literacy and Metaliteracy to Advance Transnational Group Learning about AI. Learning Process and Learning Outcomes, Results from a Case Study
The global panel on Thursday, September 25, 2025, will present findings from a co-authored transnational case study on learning about AI. The paper combines insights from information literacy and metaliteracy to highlight collaborative learning processes and outcomes across cultures. Panelists will discuss collaborative teaching and learning in the global virtual exchange Intercultural Perspectives on Information Literacy and Metaliteracy (IPILM).
Authors:
Joachim Griesbaum, University of Hildesheim, Germany
Stefan Dreisiebner, Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, Austria
Emina Adilović, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Justyna Berniak-Woźny, SWPS University Kraków, Poland
Subarna Bhattacharya, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, India
Jini Jacob, Symbiosis College of Arts & Commerce, India
Thomas P. Mackey, Empire State University, SUNY, USA
Tessy Thadathil, Symbiosis College of Arts & Commerce, India
These two sessions underscore the growing importance of metaliteracy in addressing the opportunities and challenges of AI in global education. They also highlight the collaborative work of international scholars who are shaping future directions for learning in the age of generative AI.
(AI-generated image “AI and Metaliteracy” created using ChatGPT)
We are excited to share the newest draft of the Metaliteracy Goals and Learning Objectives (2025) with you! Through our collaborative work and plenty of our favorite tea, we’ve revised this document based on the progression of metaliteracy. It also addresses the revolutionary developments in artificial intelligence (AI). This update builds on the 2018 version, addressing the needs of educators and learners in rapidly changing information environments. We would love to hear your feedback! Please take a moment to review the draft. Then share your thoughts in the comment box at the end of that page. Do you find the revised goals and objectives useful? Any suggestions for revision? What did we miss? You may also want to add your thoughts concerning others’ suggestions and comments.
The world is evolving rapidly, especially with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and the growing concerns around mis- and disinformation. This led us to revisit the original goals and objectives published in 2018. Our aim was to tackle these trends head-on and consider the broader development of the metaliteracy model itself. We wanted a forward-thinking, adaptable approach for educators and learners to thrive in an increasingly complex information environment. This new version prepares learners for the challenges they will face in a world deeply influenced by AI. Metaliteracy’s emphasis on the “learner as producer” is central to the effective and ethical use of new tools and technologies.
As we worked through these revisions, we realized that the 2018 version was out-of -date and overly detailed. We streamlined the document by reducing the number of objectives from 34 to 20, focusing on clarity and purpose. This revision aligns with the evolution of metaliteracy itself and makes the framework more actionable for educators. We believe this new version is more focused and better suited to the needs of today’s learners. It has a sharper focus on critical thinking, self-awareness, and adaptability. We want learners to engage with and critically assess the technologies and influences shaping their world.
We’ve opted for an open comment period instead of a closed survey. This is a transparent process that encourages a collaborative exchange of ideas. We appreciate your thoughts and insights on these revisions, which will help guide the final version of the document.
So now, it’s your turn! We invite you to offer feedback on the draft Metaliteracy Goals and Learning Objectives (2025). What do you think about the revised document? Are there areas that need further refinement? How would these revised goals and objectives support you in teaching with AI? What kinds of assignments would you develop with these new insights? How would you revise existing assignments to apply these changes? The comment period will be open until February 28, 2025. After we analyze all of the feedback, we’ll share the final iteration of the 2025 document via this blog. We greatly appreciate your feedback as we continue to refine and evolve the metaliteracy framework for the future.
Thank you for your ongoing support and for being part of this exciting process! Please leave your comments on the page containing the new draft—let’s continue the conversation!
We welcome this guest post from Gabrielle Lerner, Student Government Association President and a graduate student in the MPA Program at Empire State University!
What is information? Is it the truth or perspective? What are we interpreting, and how do we know? Are we considering a lens or a fragment of something that is before us? I want to see information and feel that it is true—to discern its actuality. Can we feel information, like the vibration of a song? Is the goal for it to resonate and transcend our logical minds, or do we compare its intensity and velocity to standing on a mountain high up in the sky?
These were just some of the questions that stirred my curiosity during my metaliteracy course, an experience that transformed how I view and engage with information.
About three years ago, I had the incredible opportunity to take this course, and it remains one of the most profound educational experiences of my life. The course, Intercultural Perspectives on Information Literacy and Metaliteracy, brought together a diverse team of students from across the globe, including Germany, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Austria, Poland, India, and the United States. Our differences enriched our collaboration, offering a tapestry of perspectives as we navigated complex questions about truth, bias, and the framing of information. I am deeply grateful for the experience and for the chance to work with such a talented and thoughtful group of individuals.
As a group, we focused on the ways information is created, shared, and consumed, using an infographic as our lens. Our discussions delved into the complexities of citing general information, which can transform into something deeply specific with just the click of a button.
One of our most memorable exercises involved using the Metaliteracy wheel to assign roles within the group, ensuring that everyone contributed as a Teacher, Collaborator, Researcher, and Producer. This approach inspired us to be facilitators, speakers, and leaders. Together, we examined a controversial topic—climate change—from a perspective detached from the heated debates over causes or effects. Instead, we honed in on how information about climate change is produced, disseminated, and received.
The virtual landscape we explored was overwhelming at times, a maze of truths and half-truths that made us question what we thought we knew. We sought clarity amid the noise, sifting through scholarly articles, social media posts, and everything in between. We focused on how to identify credible channels, eliminate sensationalism, and help others do the same. We found fire in the footnotes of articles—the hidden truths buried in citations—and realized that even well-meaning authors could unknowingly perpetuate bias.
What truly united us as a group was our shared identity as truth seekers. We questioned assumptions, evaluated impacts, and guided each other through challenging topics. Our discussions were not just about information but also about who we are as learners and communicators. How do we ensure our voices contribute to a clearer understanding rather than adding to the clutter? How do we empower others to do the same?
The course was not only intellectually stimulating but also personally transformative. As we investigated the nuances of information, we, too, changed. Our group—the “metaliterate bunch”—became a microcosm of the literacy goals we sought to understand. We discovered that learning is as much about collaboration and introspection as it is about seeking answers. By the end, we had not only found the “key” to navigating the noise of the information age but also grown as individuals committed to a lifelong pursuit of truth.
Reflecting on this journey, I’m filled with gratitude for the experience and for my teammates, who inspired and challenged me every step of the way. The course taught me that being metaliterate is not just about understanding information; it’s about embracing the complexity of knowledge and striving to make sense of it with humility and curiosity.
We are excited to invite contributions to our forthcoming book, “AI and Metaliteracy: Empowering Learners for the Generative Revolution” edited by Dr. Nicola Marae Allain and Dr. Thomas P. Mackey. This new volume will be published in fall 2025 for the Innovations in Information Literacy series edited by Trudi E. Jacobson for Bloomsbury Publishing (Rowman & Littlefield).
This pioneering book will feature theories and case studies about empowering learners with metaliteracy as reflective producers, informed writers, and active participants for the technological, pedagogical, and cultural revolution inspired by generative AI (Heaven, 2022, Mackey & Jacobson, 2011, 2022).
We are interested in groundbreaking approaches to metaliteracy education that encourage learners to engage with innovative AI tools such as ChatGPT and DALL-E, among many others, for creating artistic, literary, scientific, and scholarly forms of generative text, image, and video. Each chapter will focus on developing ethical metaliterate learners with autonomy and agency who are capable of producing individual and collaborative knowledge with AI (Mackey & Jacobson, 2011, 2022). We encourage imaginative chapters about the effective use of AI through the lens of metaliteracy and related literacy models, such as the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education and the ACRL Visual Literacy Framework.
We welcome proposals from educators and practitioners, including librarians, teachers and professors worldwide, particularly those offering case studies with solid theoretical foundations and transferrable pedagogical strategies. We are seeking authors from wide-ranging disciplines, such as the Arts and Humanities, Digital Media Arts, Social Sciences, Composition Studies, Library and Information Science, Nursing, Business, and STEM. Chapter themes will also address the relevance of AI and metaliteracy to adult learning and workforce development and the importance of designing inclusive AI-driven learning experiences to advance digital equity, and accessibility for students with disabilities. The book will present methods for assessing the effectiveness of teaching metaliteracy competencies and highlight collaborative, interdisciplinary projects. We aim to provide international perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of empowering learners with generative AI and metaliteracy, exploring innovative theories and case studies that provide future directions for AI-driven learning environments.
Submission Guidelines
Proposals should include the following information:
Title: The concise and descriptive title for your proposed chapter.
Abstract: A summary (300-500 words) outlining the main objectives, theoretical foundation, metaliteracy components, generative AI tools, assessment methodology, and expected contributions of your chapter.
Author Information: Names, affiliations, and contact details of all authors.
Biographical Note: A brief biography (150-200 words) of each author highlighting relevant expertise and experience.
Please submit your proposals by December 15, 2024, to Tom.Mackey@sunyempire.edu. Selected authors will be notified by February 1, 2024, and full chapters will be due by May 1, 2025. Final chapters should be between 20 and 25 pages (double-spaced) and follow the formatting guidelines that will be provided upon acceptance.
Important Dates
Proposal Submission Deadline: December 15, 2024
Notification of Acceptance: February 1, 2025
Full Chapter Submission Deadline: May 1, 2025
Expected Publication Date: November 1, 2025
We look forward to receiving your innovative and insightful contributions that will help shape the future of metaliteracy for the generative AI revolution. For any inquiries or further information, please contact Nicola Marae Allain at Nicola.Allain@sunyempire.edu or Tom Mackey at Tom.Mackey@sunyempire.edu.
Join us in this groundbreaking project to advance education and empower learners with metaliteracy worldwide for the generative AI revolution!
Editors
Nicola Marae Allain, Ph.D. is the Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities at SUNY Empire State University, where she has held faculty (tenured) and administrative roles since 2002. Her research and leadership have focused on digital learning, immersive and virtual environments, and emerging technologies. She holds a PhD in Media and Communication from the European Graduate School, a MA in Dramatic Art, Dance and Music from the University of California, and a BA in English from the University of Ottawa. Allain’s interdisciplinary background in arts and humanities complements expertise in higher education technologies and systems, digital media arts, visual pedagogy, and digital communication. Throughout her career, Allain has demonstrated a commitment to developing an aptitude for lifelong learning among students and faculty, while supporting the agency and autonomy of learners within active and authentic learning environments. Her leadership in faculty development and curriculum design has modeled innovative strategies that scale across disciplines, and were widely adopted by SUNY Empire and institutions in New Zealand. Her decade-long role on the SUNY Innovative Instruction Research Council led to collaborations with the SUNY Faculty and Teaching with Technology (FACT2) Committee AI Task Group. Allain co-authored the SUNY FACT² Guide “Optimizing AI in Higher Education” (May 2024), for which she contributed sections on the social impact and creative applications of AI. She has previously collaborated on metaliteracy initiatives, courses and publications. Her recent articles focus on curriculum innovations in digital humanities, mindfulness, and leadership in higher education settings. Fluent in several languages, Allain is also a translator of French poetry and Classical Chinese literary texts.
Thomas P. Mackey, Ph.D. is Professor of Arts and Media and Program Coordinator for the BA and BS programs in Digital Media Arts at Empire State University. He is Academic Coordinator for online courses in Arts and Media. Dr. Mackey is the recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for Scholarship and Creative Activities (2022) and the Dr. Susan H Turben Chair in Mentoring (2021–2022). He has an honorary appointment as Extraordinary Professor, Research Unit Self- Directed Learning, Faculty of Education, North-West University, South Africa. Dr. Mackey originated the metaliteracy framework with Prof. Trudi E. Jacobson to prepare learners as individual and collaborative producers of new knowledge. He has published four books with Prof. Jacobson on metaliteracy, including the first co-authored manuscript on this topic entitled Metaliteracy: Reinventing Information Literacy as a Metaliteracy (2014). They co-edited two volumes Metaliteracy in Practice (2016) and Metaliterate Learning for the Post-Truth World (2019). Their most recent book Metaliteracy in a Connected World: Developing Learners as Producers (2022) is the recipient of the 2024 Divergent Publication Award for Excellence in Literacy in a Digital Age Research. Dr. Mackey’s latest book is a co-edited volume with Dr. Sheila Marie Aird entitled Teaching Digital Storytelling: Inspiring Voices through Online Narratives (2024). He has presented both nationally and internationally about metaliteracy and generative AI and has designed learning assignments in several courses to engage learners in the generative AI revolution.
ACRL Association of College and Research Libraries. (2015). Framework for information literacy for higher education. American Library Association. Retrieved July 20, 2024, from http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/ilframework.
Mackey, T. P., & Jacobson, T. E. (2011). Reframing information literacy as a metaliteracy. College & Research Libraries, 72(1), 62–78. https://doi.org/10.5860/crl-76r1.
Mackey, T. P., & Jacobson, T. E. (2022). Metaliteracy in a Connected World: Developing Learners as Producers. ALA Neal-Schuman.
Book image created in DALL-E using the prompt: “Visualize a dynamic book cover for AI and Metaliteracy: Empowering Learners for the Generative Revolution” (October 28, 2024).
Here’s the slideshow of the Metaliteracy and AI Keynote:
Tom’s keynote offered several takeaways:
The development of AI is both a revolution and evolution
Several international organizations have defined ethical frameworks for engaging with AI
Generative AI contributes to the proliferation of mis- and disinformation
Metaliteracy supports the design of effective learning activities with generative AI
Metacognitive reflection is key to the learning process when working with AI
Reflecting on their learner roles, especially the producer role, reinforces active engagement with AI
The analysis of AI ethics is reinforced through metaliteracy’s civic-minded characteristic
Digital storytelling and the inventive production of AI-generated content support learners in discovering their authentic voice
This international conference offered a chance to engage with educators and learners from around the world. It emphasized the value of exploring generative AI through the lens of metaliteracy. The keynote emphasized the core components of metaliteracy including the learning domains, roles, and characteristics. It focused on how these elements work together to support learners in developing a metaliteracy mindset. This mindset prepares them for wide ranging information environments that are increasingly mediated by AI.
If you are interested in learning more about metaliteracy, please explore the many open resources via this blog as a starting point. Additionally, we want to know how you engage with metaliteracy in your teaching and learning with AI. If you have an idea for a guest blog post, feel free to reach out to Tom Mackey or Trudi Jacobson directly.
We welcome this guest post from Heloisa Helena Lopes Rodrigues Galiza, Instructional Designer for the edtech company DOT Digital Group in Brazil, who recently completed our Cousera MOOC Metaliteracy: Empowering Yourself in a Connected World.
During the Coursera MOOC, Metaliteracy: Empowering Yourself in a Connected World I realized that I have been a metaliterate citizen for a very long time. All the knowledge I’ve gained through this MOOC makes sense not only in the digital world but also within collaborative communities, where sharing, creating, and evaluating information are essential for collective growth and learning.
As someone who produces, publishes, and holds the authorship of the shared content, I also take on the role of a researcher, seeking reliable sources to support my work while being mindful of copyrights and open licenses. At this moment, I reflect on the characteristics of a metaliterate learner, remaining open to new perspectives and seeking the origins of information to ensure that I am not perpetuating biases. I also consider the need to be adaptable to the digital world, taking care to protect data and respect copyrights when sharing digital content. For example, when publishing in collaborative communities, I am aware that people from all over the world may consume the information I share, so it is crucial to present accurate, unbiased content that adheres to legal and ethical standards.
As a communicator, translator, or even someone who is teaching something, it is important to maintain critical and active engagement, while ensuring that my participation in the process preserves the originality of the information. At this moment, it is important to recognize that we are always learning and teaching, being collaborative in this digital world, and assuming the role of a co-creator of the knowledge shared. As an instructional designer, when I translate or adapt educational content for different audiences, I make sure to retain the core message while adjusting the language and context to suit the target audience. This helps to preserve the integrity of the information while making it accessible and relevant to a broader range of learners.
As a participant and collaborator in the digital world, and aware that everything is constantly changing, I reflect on my civic minded and social responsibility by sharing information that contributes to important debates within my community, whether in a personal or professional context. I understand that the content I share can reach diverse audiences globally, so I strive to ensure that it is accurate, respectful, and fosters meaningful discussions.
Above all, I see myself as someone who thinks a lot about my own learning, always trying to satisfy my curiosity about different topics. I also want to learn new ways of learning and understand how important self-awareness is to stay true to what I learn and teach. This mindset was further strengthened by the insights I gained through the MOOC Metaliteracy: Empowering Yourself in a Connected World, which emphasized the value of self-reflection, adaptability, and critical thinking in the learning process, both as a learner and an educator. It also helped me understand the importance of sharing information in the most accurate and responsible way, while being fully aware of my role as a metaliterate citizen.
References
O’Brien, K., Forte, M., Mackey, T. P., & Jacobson, T. (2019). Metaliteracy: Empowering yourself in a connected world [Course]. Coursera. https://www.coursera.org/learn/metaliteracy
Metaliteracy.org 