Thank you for joining us in Berlin on Monday, June 15, 2026, for the second edition of the Learning Technology Symposium (LTS) – a key event dedicated to innovations in technology-enhanced learning.
National and international experts from Fraunhofer and leading industry partners presented cutting-edge developments in e-learning, with a special focus on AI, XR, gamification, and interoperability. The program featured inspiring talks and hands-on tutorials that highlighted the latest breakthroughs and explored both current and emerging trends in learning technologies.
The symposium ran from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, kicking off Media Web Week, which continued with the two-day Media Web Symposium.
The Learning Technology Symposium brought together leading voices in educational technology, showcased forward-thinking solutions, and contributed to shaping the future of learning.
This year, we have once again prepared a small surprise. Although we may not have managed to keep it entirely under wraps this time.
In 2026, we will present awards to our speakers in five categories:
Learning Technologies Award: selected by the full jury for the best presentation in the main track
Interoperable Learning Environment Award: selected by the jury members of the corresponding track
Immersive Learning Award: selected by the jury members of the corresponding track
AI in Learning Award: selected by the jury members of the corresponding track
Best Presentation Award: selected collectively by all participants
The awards will be decided by our expert jury, composed as follows (areas of expertise indicated in parentheses):
Dr.-Ing. Monica Ciolacu, Universität der Bundeswehr München (Immersive)
Stephan Delkus, Die Bildungsvernetzer GmbH (Interoperability)
Tim Deußen, XRBB (Immersive)
Lewis Erckenbrecht, Bitkom e.V. (Immersive)
Lena Gehlhaar, Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie GmbH (Immersive)
Jens Kämper, Dataport AöR (Interoperability)
Sophia Martell, Lufthansa Aviation Training (AI)
Jörg Müller, Co-Intelligence.ai (AI)
Sascha Müller, HENSOLDT AG (Interoperability)
Carsten Müssig, Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH (AI)
Eva Poxleitner, Fraunhofer Academy (Interoperability)
Anja Schneider, Ernst Klett Verlag GmbH (AI)
Annette Trahms, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung IAB (AI)
Jan Veira, University4Industry (AI)
Thank you all very much for your support.
Take a look at last year’s award winners here.
Marc Beckmann
Best Presentation Award 2026
Congratulations to Matthias Herb-Seifert(Kultusministerium Baden-Württemberg), whose presentation on the SCHULE@BW education platform won the audience award for best talk.
Title: “Die digitale Bildungsplattform SCHULE@BW: aktueller Stand und Perspektiven”.
Marc Beckmann
Learning Technologies Award 2026
Chosen by our jury, this award went to Melanie Krüger (Deutsche Bahn AG) for her insightful talk on DB’s learning technologies: “Learning on Track – Lerntechnologien, zentral eingeführt – lokal wirksam”.
Marc Beckmann
Interoperable Learning Environment Award 2026
Selected by the jury for the best talk on interoperability, this year’s award once again went toDr. Boris Heithecker(Niedersächsisches Landesinstitut für schulische Qualitätsentwicklung) and Florian Gast (FWU – Das Medieninstitut der Länder). They were recognized for their work on Schulconnex, a cross-border interoperability standard enabling the seamless exchange of school and student data between systems and services.
Marc Beckmann
AI in Learning Award 2026
Awarded by our AI expert jury to Kristin van der Meer (Neue Grundschule Potsdam) for her talk on AI in primary education. Kristin shared practical insights into the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI into elementary school learning.
Marc Beckmann
Immersive Learning Award 2026
Awarded by our XR expert jury to Dr. Sirkka Freigangfor exploring the emotional power of XR in her presentation: “Die emotionale Kraft von XR. Wie Magic Moments das Lernen aufs nächste Level heben.”
Program
Note: Based on the feedback from last year’s participants, we have decided to run the symposium in German. Only selected parts of the program will be held in English.
If you attended the symposium, you can click on the presentation titles to download the slides (password required).
The Bitkom Future of Learning working group (Arbeitskreis) focuses on innovative educational technologies and didactic approaches across lifelong learning. It promotes digital learning ecosystems, adaptive and immersive formats (e.g., AI, VR, Metaverse), and explores the impact of technology on learning culture and processes. Bitkom members meet regularly as part of the Future of Learning working group to exchange knowledge across business, academia, and public institutions, identify e-learning trends, develop guidelines for Germany’s education landscape, and share best practices for digital transformation.
The session will focus on the question of how the opportunities offered by digital learning technologies can be leveraged across the entire education continuum. Together with our guests, we will discuss the potential of immersive learning environments and data-driven learning management, as well as the role of digital learning in improving access to continuing education in non-formal learning contexts.
We are looking forward to contributions from:
Anette Trahms, Research Associate in the National Educational Panel Study project, Institute for Employment Research/ Institut für Arbeitsmarkt und Berufsforschung (invited)
Stephan Delkus, Managing Director, Die Bildungsvernetzer GmbH
Martin Steinicke, Creative Media – Research and Development Group, HTW Berlin
In addition, there will be an interactive demonstration of the FOKUS Immersive Learning Lab.
Discover how interoperability is shaping the future of digital education. In this event tutorial, you will explore how open standards and modular architectures enable sustainable, flexible, and future‑proof educational ecosystems.
Interoperability in education – foundations & relevance
Learn why interoperability is a key prerequisite for scalable digital education and how it helps overcome platform silos, vendor lock‑in, and fragmented learning landscapes.
Connecting learning platforms, tools & content
Discover how learning platforms, external tools, and educational content can be seamlessly connected to form coherent learning experiences across institutional and organizational boundaries.
Learner data, learning records & transparency
Gain insights into how interoperable data flows make learning activities and progress visible and reusable – enabling evidence‑based decisions for learners, educators, and organizations.
Standards as enablers of sustainable ecosystems
Learn how established interoperability standards provide a common language for systems, ensure long‑term portability, and support innovation without sacrificing stability.
From integration to ecosystems – architectural perspectives
Understand how interoperable architectures support modular growth, simplify the integration of new services, and create resilient digital education ecosystems.
Experience how artificial intelligence is redefining the world of education. In this event tutorial, you will immerse yourself in the most exciting current developments in AI-supported learning technologies.
AI in education – basics & possible applications
Learn how AI is rethinking learning methods and advancing digital learning environments through automation, analysis, and intelligent support.
Personalized Recommendations & Adaptive Learning Paths
Discover how AI enables individual learning paths and supports and motivates learners through targeted incentives.
Learning Analytics – Data-Based Optimization of Learning Processes
Gain insights into how data-based analyses make learning progress visible and support informed decisions – for learners, teachers, and organizations.
Large language models (LLMs) – intelligent support in everyday learning
Learn how modern language models make content more accessible, simplify learning processes, and open up new forms of interactive learning.
Integration into learning management systems (LMS) & digital education ecosystems
Learn how AI can be seamlessly embedded into existing learning platforms and what added value it creates in holistic learning environments.
We look forward to exploring and discussing the diverse opportunities and potential of learning technologies with you.
The Learning Tech Night will take place at TROFEO, within walking distance of Fraunhofer FOKUS. More details will be announced on the LTS.
Free tickets are available at the registration desk (while supplies last) when you check in at Fraunhofer FOKUS for the Learning Technology Symposium on the morning of the event.
Contact
If you are interested or have questions about the FOKUS Learning Technology Symposium, please contact us by email. We look forward to hearing from you.
Situated in Berlin’s vibrant Charlottenburg district, the Fraunhofer FOKUS provides an inspiring environment, ideal for groundbreaking discussions and networking opportunities.
Fraunhofer-Institute for Open Communications Systems - FOKUS Kaiserin-Augusta-Allee 31 10589 Berlin Germany
