On the 16th April 2025, the appointment took place ceremony where I officially received my appointment as professor in Multimodal Learning Technologies.Here is the text of my speech
Ladies and gentlemen,
How will students at the German UDS learn in the future? Will they still be confined to desks and laptops, watching videos on our LMS? Or perhaps they will be in the metaverse campus? Or maybe they'll engage in individual interactions with Large Language Models?
In my research group on multimodal learning technologies, we are dedicated to creating authentic learning experiences that blend both physical and digital spaces. This includes engaging with the local, physical world—through movement, objects, and environments—while also exploring the possibilities offered by digital tools, AI tutors, and immersive virtual realities.
For instance, we explore tools like Presentable, an AI tutor that offers immediate feedback on presentation skills. We are equally interested in how virtual environments can support learners in expressing their desires, goals, and identities.
But as we stand at the frontier of educational technologies, we must ask: Are we simply chasing what’s technologically possible, or are we building what is truly desirable? As we envision the future of education, our focus must remain on key values—privacy, simplicity, accessibility, and affordability.
We should prioritise solutions that are scalable, low-cost, and inclusive.
To transform learning by 180 degrees means more than embracing innovation. It means using technology thoughtfully to support every learner's growth, well-being, and potential. The biggest challenge that we face in front of us in education is not just about going digital—it’s about staying human in a digital world.
Thank you.
