Virtual LEARNTEC xChange for digital learning and working

Cover picture: Press photo LEARNTEC xChange

The coronavirus pandemic has been a real accelerator for digitalization in schools. Within just a few days, face-to-face teaching in classrooms had to be replaced by distance learning using digital platforms. After more than a year in a state of emergency, normality at schools is now within reach again. But what does the future hold for schools and what have those responsible learned from the crisis? Philippe Wampfler provided answers to these and other questions at this year’s LEARNTEC xChange. “All students from first grade to high school will need a digital device in the future. This is just as much a basic right as functioning Internet access for children and young people,” said the author and teacher in his keynote speech “Teaching after the pandemic” at LEARNTEC’s Media Competence Day. The digitalization of schools was one of the main topics at the three-day virtual trade fair. After the two-day xChange at the beginning of the year, the actual leading trade fair also took place completely digitally from June 22 to 24.

7,600 participants at the leading virtual trade fair

“We put on a great event. The entire team – in part with completely new tasks in the field of online conferences – has set real standards that are a credit to Karlsruhe as a trade fair location,” said LEARNTEC Director Prof. Dr. Peter A. Henning, drawing a positive conclusion. Expressed in figures, this means More than 7,600 participants informed themselves virtually in almost 250 presentations and discussion forums in six parallel livestreams on the trends in digital learning and working. Around 340 experts from the digital education sector gave presentations via video conference or live studio broadcast. In addition to hot topics from corporate learning such as the development of future skills or home office technologies, best practice examples from digital teaching were presented in the university section. “One of the most important topics was, of course, artificial intelligence. With the new competence center KARL – AI for working and learning in the Karlsruhe region – we are one of the key players here,” emphasized Henning.

What’s next for the schools?

A livestream was dedicated entirely to the digital transformation of schools. On the third day of the event, this year’s Media Competence Day of the Karlsruhe City Media Center also took place here in a virtual setting. Experts such as Wampfler called for greater integration of digital learning tools into traditional lessons. “Since the start of the pandemic, the federal and state governments have invested a lot in digitalization. Now we have to ask ourselves the following question: Do we throw the technical equipment in the cupboards or does it help us to develop new forms of learning?” said Wampfler. In his opinion, the main thing we need for the future is easy-to-use and secure learning platforms. “It’s not about solutions that you use for a year. You have to think in ten-year steps and develop accordingly,” appealed Wampfler.

LEARNTEC 2022 from February 1 to 3

Schools would also have to rethink the use of the platforms and develop standardized communication structures. Homework and worksheets should only be distributed via the platforms. According to Wampfler, however, the place of learning and life at school will not be devalued by digitalization – quite the opposite is the case. “In future, children and young people will have to be much more active at school than before,” says Wampfler. This is why community offerings and places for encounters need to be significantly expanded.

Digitalization in schools is only just beginning and now needs to be consistently developed further, said Jörg Schumacher, Head of the Karlsruhe City Media Centre. “The thought processes have been set in motion and now we have to seize the opportunity.” Planning for the next LEARNTEC is already in full swing in the background. It is scheduled to take place from February 1 to 3, 2022 – with thousands of visitors on site at Messe Karlsruhe.