Metaliteracy and Multiple Literacies

Abstract

In networked digital culture, individuals communicate through multiple literacies including linguistic, visual, audio, gestural, and spatial ways of making meaning from information. Producing and consuming content requires new literacy skills and an ability to access and evaluate information in all modes to construct knowledge. Information is shared instantly through channels such as text messaging, blogging, social networking, videomaking, and podcasting. Processing information, in numerous modes, requires the metaliterate learner to utilize four domains (metacognitive, cognitive, behavioral, and affective). This chapter explains the emerging term ‘metaliteracy', advocates the use of this new term in the metamodern age, and examines best practices of learning and communicating in participatory environments.