didacta 2026: Smartphone-free, fully automatic, load-sensitive?
Ongoing ban debates have given more space to digitalization skeptics. Digital is now a given, but so is the brake applied.
The mental health of students was one of the major topics of the trade fair.
(Image: heise medien)
While the term "Artificial Intelligence" (AI) was prominently displayed on many stands at German education trade fairs in previous years, some exhibitors at this year's didacta in Cologne particularly highlighted the "smartphone-free school" – often referring to smartphone lockers and pouches. However, the advertising trend has shifted: AI is now taken for granted in educational offerings and no longer needs to be mentioned dozens of times on every small handout. The critical stance towards end devices and usage scenarios in digitality is now clearly emphasized. A forgetful "Fr3ddy" also offered hope for secure analysis tools in schools.
How are you? Do I need to take something away from you?
The numerous panels frequently addressed the health effects of the digital offering landscape on today's youth – also prompted by the efforts of the Federal Student Council to give more fundamental attention to the mental health of younger generations. However, students discuss mental health not only in the context of smartphone and social media bans, but also in relation to structures within the education system and society as a whole. The strong focus on smartphones and so-called social media is more characteristic of the political side, initiatives, various institutions, and foundations that also initiate or evaluate studies on the effects of smartphone and social media use. Last but not least, the perspective of concerned parents is also clearly represented here.
Were there any new findings on the ongoing smartphone and social media ban debates at the trade fair? No. Between the different camps, the visible responsibility ping-pong was played out again. Who bears responsibility when young people scroll too much on social media and negative effects occur? The platforms, politics, parents, or the young users themselves? And is a ban good or not? Some say yes, others say no. However, statements from politicians at the event were clearly directed at the platforms: they have made little effort so far to make usage safer for minors and continue to lean back, referring to their terms and conditions. Normally, such criticism is packaged more reservedly and politely; however, no platform representatives were visible in Cologne.
When it came to concrete recommendations and solutions, the usual reference was made to the commissioned commission "Child and Youth Protection in the Digital World." If it presents recommendations as planned this summer, things could move forward. However, the EU level must also be considered.
AI – between difficult to train and miracle performers
Regarding AI, there was a wide spectrum between precise prompting instructions – for example, for differentiating learning and teaching materials – and the one-click promises of providers who advertised that no prompting was even necessary for differentiated worksheets. Extensive comparative tests will determine what proves to be better and more user-friendly. However, instructions like this guide from Westermann and the University of Cologne (PDF) can already provide hints for quality assessment.
Fr3ddy – the forgetful AI
The panel on the learning process platform lernlog with the AI "Fr3ddy" was exciting. lernlog does not boast about one-click solutions but advertises Fr3ddy's forgetfulness. The AI does not want to collect, store, and aggregate data on students excessively for its use, but rather collect it only within predefined limits and compile it for specific requests, then return it to storage – i.e., learning analytics with minimal risk. The goal is not for Fr3ddy to list who the highest-achieving child is and who is the weakest. Instead, the AI should compile necessary data points for teachers so that they can individually support children in learning better. The concept is therefore intended to gradually promote self-regulation and competence development. For this concept, lernlog works with the company onto digital, data protection officers, and experts such as Prof. Dr. - Ing. Axel Wagenitz from the University of Applied Sciences (HAW) in Hamburg. The platform is an initiative of the "Montag Stiftung Jugend und Gesellschaft" and is not operated for profit.
didacta 2026 – skeptischer digital zugewandt? (19 Bilder)
kbe/heise medien
)Game-based Learning
The company Epic Education, a non-profit GmbH, aims to support learning through "stories" – essentially bringing "The Dark Eye" into the classroom with a bit of digital support. Anyone familiar with Dungeons and Dragons or DSA will quickly understand the concept. Teachers can use pre-made adventures, develop their own, or involve presenters from Epic Education, sending students, for example, to the Middle Ages to experience and understand the world as game characters – and of course, complete a quest. The adventures are intended not only to bring history closer through "stories" but also STEM subjects.
Robotic slides
Robots were once again able to perform the PR slide between a modern facade and retro style at the trade fair. They repeatedly appeared as droll mascots, and a few were even sent through the exhibition halls – but the wow factor of previous fairs has clearly faded (as has the smell of popcorn from previous years), and Nao didn't have to be everywhere.
HP, among others, advertised robots for self-assembly. "Otto" can be printed, styled, and programmed by students for various tasks. However, experienced makers among teachers can also freestyle something similar and make it accessible to more students at the same price.
Otherwise, robots for sporting challenges or rescue missions resided in one of the exhibition halls as part of the RoboCup German Open. However, there was more to see there later in the trade fair week.
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As smart as necessary, as little as possible
Overhead projectors are still in operation partly because their functionality does not depend on them continuing to receive security and function updates. Therefore, those who want to avoid smart boards could examine ceramic boards at the trade fair that can be used as wipeable writing boards and projection surfaces.
And acknowledging that students carry smartphones to school, these devices can be used for STEM lessons with an app like phyphox from RWTH Aachen, for example, and only then be put back into pouches, lockers, and cabinets. This is possible even with the strictest smartphone bans in the federal states, as they still allow targeted use of student devices.
2027 in Hanover
Around 75,000 people visited this year's Didacta in Cologne from March 10th to 14th – according to the organizers, a 20 percent increase in visitors compared to the Didacta in Stuttgart last year. Next year, Europe's largest education trade fair will once again be hosted in Hanover for the first time.
(kbe)
