Literacies in the Age of AI
Teaching and Learning in the Digital Era
1st Edition
Published on 16. February 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
368 pages
978-1-394-33862-7 (ISBN)
Description
An innovative resource for understanding and teaching literacy in a digital and AI-powered world
Literacies in the Age of AI: Teaching and Learning in the Digital Era responds to a critical need in contemporary education by redefining literacy in light of digital transformation and the rise of generative AI. Moving beyond traditional definitions of reading and writing, this innovative volume situates literacy as a complex, multimodal practice involving text, image, sound, space, and gesture. Through a compelling historical and theoretical account of literacy's evolution-spanning from oral traditions and early writing systems to today's AI-integrated learning environments-the text equips readers to navigate a shifting communicative landscape shaped by emerging technologies.
Written by a team of leading educators and researchers, Literacies in the Age of AI proposes a reflexive pedagogical framework that synthesizes didactic, authentic, functional, and critical approaches. Eight accessible yet detailed chapters explore how learners co-construct meaning within diverse social, cultural, and technological contexts. The authors critically address challenges such as algorithmic bias, fabricated content, and privacy while emphasizing the transformative potential of GenAI in education, including its role in assessment, inclusion, and personalized learning.
Empowering educators to design learning environments that support critical thinking, creativity, and equity, this valuable book:
Integrates theoretical insights from literacy studies, AI research, and multimodal communication in a single comprehensive framework
Discusses timely and complex ethical issues in AI, including data privacy, algorithmic bias, and content authenticity
Highlights the role of educators as co-designers of meaning-making practices in rapidly evolving digital landscapes
Features exceptional multimodal illustrations and AI-generated visual content to deepen conceptual understanding
Includes concrete strategies, research-informed practices, and structured activities throughout
Bridging the gap between research and classroom practice with interdisciplinary applications suitable for a wide range of learning contexts, Literacies in the Age of AI: Teaching and Learning in the Digital Era is ideal for undergraduate and graduate courses in literacy education, curriculum and instruction, educational technology, and media studies. It is particularly well-suited for teacher preparation programs and digital literacy modules in education and applied linguistics programs.
Literacies in the Age of AI: Teaching and Learning in the Digital Era responds to a critical need in contemporary education by redefining literacy in light of digital transformation and the rise of generative AI. Moving beyond traditional definitions of reading and writing, this innovative volume situates literacy as a complex, multimodal practice involving text, image, sound, space, and gesture. Through a compelling historical and theoretical account of literacy's evolution-spanning from oral traditions and early writing systems to today's AI-integrated learning environments-the text equips readers to navigate a shifting communicative landscape shaped by emerging technologies.
Written by a team of leading educators and researchers, Literacies in the Age of AI proposes a reflexive pedagogical framework that synthesizes didactic, authentic, functional, and critical approaches. Eight accessible yet detailed chapters explore how learners co-construct meaning within diverse social, cultural, and technological contexts. The authors critically address challenges such as algorithmic bias, fabricated content, and privacy while emphasizing the transformative potential of GenAI in education, including its role in assessment, inclusion, and personalized learning.
Empowering educators to design learning environments that support critical thinking, creativity, and equity, this valuable book:
Integrates theoretical insights from literacy studies, AI research, and multimodal communication in a single comprehensive framework
Discusses timely and complex ethical issues in AI, including data privacy, algorithmic bias, and content authenticity
Highlights the role of educators as co-designers of meaning-making practices in rapidly evolving digital landscapes
Features exceptional multimodal illustrations and AI-generated visual content to deepen conceptual understanding
Includes concrete strategies, research-informed practices, and structured activities throughout
Bridging the gap between research and classroom practice with interdisciplinary applications suitable for a wide range of learning contexts, Literacies in the Age of AI: Teaching and Learning in the Digital Era is ideal for undergraduate and graduate courses in literacy education, curriculum and instruction, educational technology, and media studies. It is particularly well-suited for teacher preparation programs and digital literacy modules in education and applied linguistics programs.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 225 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
484 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-394-33862-7 (9781394338627)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Gabriela C. Zapata | Bill Cope | Mary Kalantzis
Literacies in the Age of AI
Teaching and Learning in the Digital Era
E-Book
01/2026
1st Edition
Wiley
€44.99
Available for download
Gabriela C. Zapata | Bill Cope | Mary Kalantzis
Literacies in the Age of AI
Teaching and Learning in the Digital Era
E-Book
12/2025
1st Edition
Wiley-ISTE
€44.99
Available for download
Persons
Gabriela C. Zapata is Associate Professor of Education at the University of Nottingham. She specializes in AI literacy, multiliteracies-based instruction, and inclusive pedagogical design. Zapata is the author of five books and multiple peer-reviewed articles and co-edits Diversity & Inclusion Research.
Bill Cope is Professor of Education at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on learning design, multimodal meaning, educational technology, and artificial intelligence. He has authored numerous influential works, including New Learning and the two volumes multimodal grammar, Making Sense and Adding Sense.
Mary Kalantzis is Professor in the College of Education at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. An internationally recognized leader in literacy and education studies, she has co-authored foundational texts including New Learning and A Pedagogy of Multiliteracies.
Bill Cope is Professor of Education at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on learning design, multimodal meaning, educational technology, and artificial intelligence. He has authored numerous influential works, including New Learning and the two volumes multimodal grammar, Making Sense and Adding Sense.
Mary Kalantzis is Professor in the College of Education at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. An internationally recognized leader in literacy and education studies, she has co-authored foundational texts including New Learning and A Pedagogy of Multiliteracies.
Content
List of Figures xii
List of Tables xiv
List of Appendices xvi
Preface xvii
AI Disclosure xxi
Chapter 1: What Is Literacy? 1
Introduction 1
Before Writing: First Languages 2
The Coming of Writing and Print Literacy 6
Writing in the Digital Era 9
The Rise of Multimodality 11
GenAI as a Multimodal Literacy Technology 13
Conclusion 19
Glossary of Terms 20
Consolidate, Explore, Reflect, Do 23
Task 1: What Is Literacy? Personal Connections 24
Task 2: Literacy Throughout History 24
Task 3: Multimodality in Today's Indigenous Languages 24
Task 4: First Languages Today 25
Task 5: Literacy Throughout History: Comparison 26
Task 6: Personal Literacy Timeline 26
References 26
Chapter 2: Literacy and the Combination of Different Meaning Forms 31
Introduction 31
Meaning Forms 32
Text 34
Writing 34
Reading 37
Image 40
Space 44
Object and Body 46
Sound 49
Speech 52
Connecting Speech to Text: Phonics Controversies 54
Conclusion 58
Consolidate, Explore, Reflect, Do 58
Task 1: Multimodal Portfolio Creation 59
Task 2: Forms of Meaning Explained 59
Task 3: Interactive Multimodal Museum Exhibit 60
Task 4: Mapping Spatial Communication 60
Task 5: Lesson Plan on Meaning Forms and Multimodality 61
Task 6: Gesture and Movement Case Study 61
Task 7: Redesign of Educational Material 62
Task 8: Analysis of a Multimodal Artifact 63
References 64
Chapter 3: What Literacy Does: Mapping the Functions of Meaning 68
Introduction 68
Traditional School Grammar 69
Overview 69
The Pedagogy of Traditional Grammars 73
Transformational- Generative Grammar 75
Overview 75
The Chomskian View of Culture and Learning 77
Systemic- Functional Grammar 81
Overview 81
Comparing Halliday's Grammar with Other Approaches 84
Transpositional Grammar 88
Overview 88
Transposition 1: Between and Across Meaning Forms 91
Transposition 2: Between and Across Meaning Functions 94
Reference 95
Agency 96
Structure 97
Context 97
Interest 98
Transpositions of Functions (and Forms) 99
The Differences Between Human Meaning and Generative AI 100
Human Meaning: Theoretical, Embodied, and Contextualized 101
GenAI Meaning: Empirical and Statistical 102
Implications for Meaning and Literacy 103
Conclusion 103
Consolidate, Explore, Reflect, Do 105
Task 1: Deconstructing Grammar Through Meaning- Making 105
Task 2: Exploring Transformational Grammar and Its Impact on Second Language Teaching and Learning 105
Task 3: Investigating SFG in Context 106
Task 4: Analyzing Different Meaning Forms 107
Task 5: The Five Functions of Meaning in Everyday Communication 108
Task 6: Multimodal Transposition Challenge 109
Task 7: Ethics and Power in Meaning- Making 109
References 110
Chapter 4: Literacy Pedagogies 112
Introduction 112
Understanding Pedagogical Approaches 113
Didactic Literacy Pedagogy 115
Authentic Literacy Pedagogy 117
Functional Literacy Pedagogy 121
Critical Literacy Pedagogy 124
The Pedagogy of Multiliteracies 129
Learning by Design 134
Overview 134
Reflexive Literacy Pedagogy 139
Conclusion 140
Consolidate, Explore, Reflect, Do 142
Task 1: Tracing Pedagogical Shifts in Literacy 142
Task 2: Designing a Learning Task Using the LbyD Framework 143
Task 3: Literacy in Everyday Life 145
Task 4: Analyzing Syncretic Approaches in Action 145
Task 5: Exploring Literacy Pedagogies in the Classroom 146
Task 6: Exploring Literacy in the Age of Generative AI 149
References 151
Chapter 5: Digital Literacy and Artificial Intelligence 155
Introduction 155
Digital Media, Participation, and Multimodal Meaning- Making 156
The Internet and Mass Connectivity 158
Reflexive Pedagogy and E- Learning Ecologies: Digital Affordances for Literacy Learning 160
Ubiquitous Learning 162
Multimodal Meaning 164
Active Knowledge- Making 165
Recursive Feedback 168
Collaborative Intelligence 172
Metacognition 174
Differentiated Learning 176
E- Learning Ecologies, GenAI, and Cyber- Social Learning 178
Cyber- Social Learning: Opportunities 178
Mapping E- Learning Affordances onto Cyber- Social Learning 180
Challenges of GenAI in Education: Bias, Fakes, and Policy Concerns 183
AI Bias 183
AI Fakes 185
Policy and Security 185
GenAI in Education: New Roles for Teachers 187
Orchestrating Content Creation and Differentiation 187
Curating Assessments and Providing Formative Feedback 188
Sustaining Higher- Order Literacies in an Automated World 189
Facilitating Collaborative Knowledge Work and Community Connections 190
Developing AI Literacy 192
Toward Digital Citizenship 194
Conclusion 198
Consolidate, Explore, Reflect, Do 199
Task 1: Picture Books and Multimodal Literacy 199
Task 2: Investigating AI Bias 202
Task 3: GenAI as a Creative Partner- Testing GenAI in Content Creation 203
Option 1 203
Option 2 204
References 206
Chapter 6: Literacies Development Across Levels of Learning 212
Introduction 212
Literacy and Cognition 213
Icon 214
Indicator 214
Symbol 215
Designing Meaning 218
Cognitive Development in Children 219
Literacies for Learning 224
Learning in the Zone of Proximal Development 224
The Role of Literacies in Learning 227
Developing "Metarepresentations" 229
The Strangeness of School 230
Toward the "Reflective Consciousness" of Adult Cognition 231
Literacies as Extensions of Mind 232
Conceptualizing and Developing AI Literacy in Educational Contexts 234
Early Childhood Education 237
Elementary/Primary School Education 239
Middle and High School/Secondary Education 242
Academic Literacies for College and University 245
AI Literacy in Educational Contexts: Summary 247
Conclusion 250
Consolidate, Explore, Reflect, Do 251
Task 1: Aligning UNESCO's (2024) AI Competency Framework with LbyD 251
Task 2: UNESCO's (2024) AI Competency Levels and Instructional Practices 252
Task 3: Designing a Multimodal and AI Literacy Activity 254
References 255
Chapter 7: Learner Differences in Teaching and Assessment 260
Introduction 260
Dimensions of Learner Difference 261
Learners' Lifeworld 264
Translanguaging 266
Inclusive Classroom Practices 267
GenAI and Inclusive Classroom Practices 271
Literacies Assessment 273
The Types and Purposes of Assessment 273
Big Data and Assessment 277
A More Inclusive Path to Assessment Practices 278
GenAI- Supported Assessment 281
Conclusion 288
Consolidate, Explore, Reflect, Do 288
Task 1: Reflecting on Our Lifeworld 289
Task 2: Translanguaging in Action 289
Task 3: Inclusive GenAI- Supported Assessment 290
Task 4: Creating Inclusive Curricula 291
References 292
Chapter 8: Futures for the Discipline of Education and Literacies Research 298
Introduction 298
The Expanded Role of Education and Its Epistemological Imperative 299
The Semiotic Turn: Reframing Research as a Process of Meaning- Making 300
The Social Turn: Emphasizing Learning as a Socially Embedded Process 303
The Ontological Turn: Shifting Focus to Material and Digital Realities 304
GenAI in Educational Research 305
Human- AI Collaboration: Educators' and Researchers' Roles 309
Towards Education Justice in the GenAI Era: A Pathway Forward 310
Conclusion 313
Consolidate, Explore, Reflect, Do 314
Task 1: GenAI and Your Teaching Philosophy 314
Task 2: Designing a GenAI- Supported Research Project 315
Task 3: Reflecting Across Chapters 315
Task 4: Future- Oriented Literacies Education 316
References 317
Appendix 1: Pedagogical Intervention Planning Tool 321
Appendix 2: Sample Materials for Secondary School Students in a Spanish Language Arts Classroom 323
Index 331
List of Tables xiv
List of Appendices xvi
Preface xvii
AI Disclosure xxi
Chapter 1: What Is Literacy? 1
Introduction 1
Before Writing: First Languages 2
The Coming of Writing and Print Literacy 6
Writing in the Digital Era 9
The Rise of Multimodality 11
GenAI as a Multimodal Literacy Technology 13
Conclusion 19
Glossary of Terms 20
Consolidate, Explore, Reflect, Do 23
Task 1: What Is Literacy? Personal Connections 24
Task 2: Literacy Throughout History 24
Task 3: Multimodality in Today's Indigenous Languages 24
Task 4: First Languages Today 25
Task 5: Literacy Throughout History: Comparison 26
Task 6: Personal Literacy Timeline 26
References 26
Chapter 2: Literacy and the Combination of Different Meaning Forms 31
Introduction 31
Meaning Forms 32
Text 34
Writing 34
Reading 37
Image 40
Space 44
Object and Body 46
Sound 49
Speech 52
Connecting Speech to Text: Phonics Controversies 54
Conclusion 58
Consolidate, Explore, Reflect, Do 58
Task 1: Multimodal Portfolio Creation 59
Task 2: Forms of Meaning Explained 59
Task 3: Interactive Multimodal Museum Exhibit 60
Task 4: Mapping Spatial Communication 60
Task 5: Lesson Plan on Meaning Forms and Multimodality 61
Task 6: Gesture and Movement Case Study 61
Task 7: Redesign of Educational Material 62
Task 8: Analysis of a Multimodal Artifact 63
References 64
Chapter 3: What Literacy Does: Mapping the Functions of Meaning 68
Introduction 68
Traditional School Grammar 69
Overview 69
The Pedagogy of Traditional Grammars 73
Transformational- Generative Grammar 75
Overview 75
The Chomskian View of Culture and Learning 77
Systemic- Functional Grammar 81
Overview 81
Comparing Halliday's Grammar with Other Approaches 84
Transpositional Grammar 88
Overview 88
Transposition 1: Between and Across Meaning Forms 91
Transposition 2: Between and Across Meaning Functions 94
Reference 95
Agency 96
Structure 97
Context 97
Interest 98
Transpositions of Functions (and Forms) 99
The Differences Between Human Meaning and Generative AI 100
Human Meaning: Theoretical, Embodied, and Contextualized 101
GenAI Meaning: Empirical and Statistical 102
Implications for Meaning and Literacy 103
Conclusion 103
Consolidate, Explore, Reflect, Do 105
Task 1: Deconstructing Grammar Through Meaning- Making 105
Task 2: Exploring Transformational Grammar and Its Impact on Second Language Teaching and Learning 105
Task 3: Investigating SFG in Context 106
Task 4: Analyzing Different Meaning Forms 107
Task 5: The Five Functions of Meaning in Everyday Communication 108
Task 6: Multimodal Transposition Challenge 109
Task 7: Ethics and Power in Meaning- Making 109
References 110
Chapter 4: Literacy Pedagogies 112
Introduction 112
Understanding Pedagogical Approaches 113
Didactic Literacy Pedagogy 115
Authentic Literacy Pedagogy 117
Functional Literacy Pedagogy 121
Critical Literacy Pedagogy 124
The Pedagogy of Multiliteracies 129
Learning by Design 134
Overview 134
Reflexive Literacy Pedagogy 139
Conclusion 140
Consolidate, Explore, Reflect, Do 142
Task 1: Tracing Pedagogical Shifts in Literacy 142
Task 2: Designing a Learning Task Using the LbyD Framework 143
Task 3: Literacy in Everyday Life 145
Task 4: Analyzing Syncretic Approaches in Action 145
Task 5: Exploring Literacy Pedagogies in the Classroom 146
Task 6: Exploring Literacy in the Age of Generative AI 149
References 151
Chapter 5: Digital Literacy and Artificial Intelligence 155
Introduction 155
Digital Media, Participation, and Multimodal Meaning- Making 156
The Internet and Mass Connectivity 158
Reflexive Pedagogy and E- Learning Ecologies: Digital Affordances for Literacy Learning 160
Ubiquitous Learning 162
Multimodal Meaning 164
Active Knowledge- Making 165
Recursive Feedback 168
Collaborative Intelligence 172
Metacognition 174
Differentiated Learning 176
E- Learning Ecologies, GenAI, and Cyber- Social Learning 178
Cyber- Social Learning: Opportunities 178
Mapping E- Learning Affordances onto Cyber- Social Learning 180
Challenges of GenAI in Education: Bias, Fakes, and Policy Concerns 183
AI Bias 183
AI Fakes 185
Policy and Security 185
GenAI in Education: New Roles for Teachers 187
Orchestrating Content Creation and Differentiation 187
Curating Assessments and Providing Formative Feedback 188
Sustaining Higher- Order Literacies in an Automated World 189
Facilitating Collaborative Knowledge Work and Community Connections 190
Developing AI Literacy 192
Toward Digital Citizenship 194
Conclusion 198
Consolidate, Explore, Reflect, Do 199
Task 1: Picture Books and Multimodal Literacy 199
Task 2: Investigating AI Bias 202
Task 3: GenAI as a Creative Partner- Testing GenAI in Content Creation 203
Option 1 203
Option 2 204
References 206
Chapter 6: Literacies Development Across Levels of Learning 212
Introduction 212
Literacy and Cognition 213
Icon 214
Indicator 214
Symbol 215
Designing Meaning 218
Cognitive Development in Children 219
Literacies for Learning 224
Learning in the Zone of Proximal Development 224
The Role of Literacies in Learning 227
Developing "Metarepresentations" 229
The Strangeness of School 230
Toward the "Reflective Consciousness" of Adult Cognition 231
Literacies as Extensions of Mind 232
Conceptualizing and Developing AI Literacy in Educational Contexts 234
Early Childhood Education 237
Elementary/Primary School Education 239
Middle and High School/Secondary Education 242
Academic Literacies for College and University 245
AI Literacy in Educational Contexts: Summary 247
Conclusion 250
Consolidate, Explore, Reflect, Do 251
Task 1: Aligning UNESCO's (2024) AI Competency Framework with LbyD 251
Task 2: UNESCO's (2024) AI Competency Levels and Instructional Practices 252
Task 3: Designing a Multimodal and AI Literacy Activity 254
References 255
Chapter 7: Learner Differences in Teaching and Assessment 260
Introduction 260
Dimensions of Learner Difference 261
Learners' Lifeworld 264
Translanguaging 266
Inclusive Classroom Practices 267
GenAI and Inclusive Classroom Practices 271
Literacies Assessment 273
The Types and Purposes of Assessment 273
Big Data and Assessment 277
A More Inclusive Path to Assessment Practices 278
GenAI- Supported Assessment 281
Conclusion 288
Consolidate, Explore, Reflect, Do 288
Task 1: Reflecting on Our Lifeworld 289
Task 2: Translanguaging in Action 289
Task 3: Inclusive GenAI- Supported Assessment 290
Task 4: Creating Inclusive Curricula 291
References 292
Chapter 8: Futures for the Discipline of Education and Literacies Research 298
Introduction 298
The Expanded Role of Education and Its Epistemological Imperative 299
The Semiotic Turn: Reframing Research as a Process of Meaning- Making 300
The Social Turn: Emphasizing Learning as a Socially Embedded Process 303
The Ontological Turn: Shifting Focus to Material and Digital Realities 304
GenAI in Educational Research 305
Human- AI Collaboration: Educators' and Researchers' Roles 309
Towards Education Justice in the GenAI Era: A Pathway Forward 310
Conclusion 313
Consolidate, Explore, Reflect, Do 314
Task 1: GenAI and Your Teaching Philosophy 314
Task 2: Designing a GenAI- Supported Research Project 315
Task 3: Reflecting Across Chapters 315
Task 4: Future- Oriented Literacies Education 316
References 317
Appendix 1: Pedagogical Intervention Planning Tool 321
Appendix 2: Sample Materials for Secondary School Students in a Spanish Language Arts Classroom 323
Index 331