A couple of weeks ago, we had the opportunity to attend the Association for Learning Technology (ALT) Annual Conference in Glasgow. It was not our first time being part of this inspiring event, but it once again reminded us how energising it is to be surrounded by people who care deeply about the future of learning.
Representing Portflow, we joined hundreds of learning technologists, designers, and education leaders from across the UK. For two days, the conference became a space filled with curiosity, connection, and conversation. There was a real sense of community, with everyone eager to share ideas and reflect on how we can shape meaningful digital learning experiences.
Exploring What’s Next in Learning
This year, the conference centred around five themes:
- back to basics,
- digital by design,
- learning in motion,
- critical imagination,
- and wildcard: innovation from the margins.
Each theme opened up a different way of thinking about where learning is headed and how we can make technology more human.
The sessions were as diverse as they were thought-provoking. There were conversations on institutional readiness for the future of education, and how we can build AI literacy while maintaining an ethical approach to generative AI. Others explored how wellbeing can be meaningfully embedded into digital learning, how assessment can be reframed to better reflect student growth, and how critical and creative methodologies can help learners connect with real-world challenges.
Collaboration, empathy, and human skills in a digital world were at the heart of so many discussions. What stood out most was the collective understanding that, despite all the technological progress, learning remains deeply human. The emphasis on empathy, reflection, and connection was present everywhere. It was a powerful reminder that technology should not replace these qualities but rather support them.
Looking Ahead
Conferences like ALT are a wonderful reminder of how ideas and people shape the direction of education. They give us the chance to pause, listen, and reimagine how we can keep improving the learning experience together.
That spirit of connection and practical innovation continues in our upcoming Portflow webinar with the University of Limerick: From Strategy to Practice: Helping Students Recognise and Develop Skills for Lifelong Success on November 13 & 20.
Chris McInerney, Director of the Transferable Skills Unit at the University of Limerick, will share how their Recognise, Record, Reward initiative is helping students surface, develop, and demonstrate transferable skills using Portflow to bridge academic learning and employability.
Join to hear how Limerick is turning strategy into practice and empowering students to take ownership of their growth.
About the Author: Yas Farahani
