TC26: Forging Personalized Learning Pathways and Sustainable Communities through Transformative Technologies

Rationale

The global education landscape is moving away from the industrial, “one-size-fits-all” model of instruction toward a dynamic ecosystem centered on the specific needs of individual learners. However, as the spotlight shifts to hyper-personalization, a paradox arises: while emerging technologies offer opportunities to tailor instruction, they risk isolating the learner. Through this conference, we propose that transformative technologies - Artificial Intelligence, Learning Analytics, and Immersive environments, among other things - should not only act as tools for individual academic growth, but bridges that connect learners to global, sustainable communities. 

The conference acknowledges that every student has a unique cognitive profile and learning goals, and we must meet them where they are through responsible and ethical use of data, AI, and other relevant learning technologies. Moreover, there’s recognition that learning is a social endeavor, giving us an opportunity to use learning technologies to foster collaboration, digital wellness, and cross-cultural understanding, ensuring that our learning ecosystems are resilient and inclusive.

This conference serves as a critical convergence point where we move beyond adoption to explore the pedagogy of possibility. Through this endeavor, we gather to answer this question: How do we harness the power of transformative technologies to build a sustainable future where learning is personal yet profoundly communal? By combining adaptive learning and social connectivity, we aim to equip stakeholders - education leaders, teachers, policy makers, community builders, and students - with the strategies needed to navigate the Fifth Industrial Revolution while keeping human connection at the heart of education. 

Objectives

• Critically examine how transformative technologies can be ethically deployed to create highly responsive curricula that adapt to diverse learning speeds, styles, and needs. 

• Explore strategies for building resilient technology-rich learning communities that prioritize digital wellness, socio-emotional learning, and sustainable peer-to-peer networks.

• Demonstrate practical applications of emerging technologies that enhance engagement and facilitate lifelong learning pathways beyond traditional schooling.  

• Draft policy recommendations ensuring transformative technologies are accessible to marginalized communities and do not amplify existing inequalities.

Themes

The AI-Augmented Teacher and Learner

This theme showcases how tailored learning technologies respond to users' specific needs.  

• Generative AI as a Teaching and Learning Assistant

• Neuroadaptive Learning

• Predictive Analytics for Intervention

• Multi-Modal Interfaces

• Leaders’ Track: Change Management for an AI-Ready Institution

Ecosystems of Connection

This theme addresses how technology can expand our social circles, fostering a global community of practice.

• Community-validated Microcredentials

• Digital Wellness and the “Right to Disconnect”

• Social-Emotional Learning in Virtual Environments 

• Global Classrooms, Intergenerational Learning Networks, and Virtual Exchange 

• Leaders’ Track: Strategies for Interoperability and Global Collaborative Learning

Immersive and Experiential Technologies

These transformative technologies enable distinct learning pathways, making abstract concepts concrete.  

• Haptics and Sensory Integration

• Augmented Reality

• Gamification in Localized Contexts

• Virtual Laboratories and Remote STEM Access

• Leaders’ Track: Redefining the Physical Campus for Hybrid Realities 

Ethics, Equity, and the Green Cloud

“Sustainable” refers not just to community longevity, but also to environmental and ethical sustainability. 

• Digital Inclusion

• Green IT in Education

• Data Sovereignty and Student Agency

• Frugal Innovation for Low-Bandwidth Contexts

• Intellectual Property in the Generative AI Era

• Leaders’ Track: Aligning Institutional EdTech Implementation with SDGs

Submission Guidelines

Submission Types

We accept abstracts of the following types of submissions:

• Full Research Papers: Original, unpublished research that makes a significant contribution to the field.

• Short Papers: Work-in-progress, preliminary results, or novel ideas that are still in early stages of development.

Formatting Requirements

• Length: 350-400 words 

• Content: The abstract submission should have the following elements: title, purpose, methods, results, conclusions, recommendations, and future directions (if applicable).

• File Format: Submissions must be in PDF format.

• Language: Submissions must be written in English.

• Citation: APA 7th Ed. 

Submission Process

• All submissions must be made through this Easychair link. 

  • You may also use this shortened link: https://bit.ly/UST_TC2026 

• You will need to create an Easychair account to submit your work.

• Follow the instructions provided on the submission system to upload your abstract.

• Ensure that all required fields are completed accurately.

• Please indicate the details of the corresponding author for communication purposes.

Review Process

• All submissions will undergo a double-blind peer-review process.

• Reviewers will evaluate submissions based on the following criteria:

• Originality

• Significance

• Technical quality

• Clarity of writing

• Relevance to the conference theme

• Authors will be notified of the review outcome starting on March 1, 2026.

Publication and Presentation

• Author/s of accepted papers are expected to present their work at the conference. The conference and the presentation will be held onsite.

• Authors must prepare a 10-slide presentation highlighting key elements of their work to be presented during the parallel sessions. Each presenter will be given 15 minutes to present their work.

• A copy of the presentation file (in Google Slides format) must be shared with the program committee five days before the presentation to help the organizers finalize the parallel sessions. You may also prepare your personal copy stored on a USB thumb drive. 

• Presenters may bring their personal computing devices (laptops and/or tablets) and presentation accessories (USB-C hub, presentation remote, etc) if preferred. However, this will also be made available to you on-site. 

• The schedule of parallel presentations will be released during the first week of April, after confirmation of successful presenters.  

Ethical Guidelines

• Submissions must be original work.

• Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of their work and obtaining permission to reproduce any copyrighted material.

• Plagiarism is strictly prohibited. Any submission found to contain plagiarized material will be rejected.

Important Dates

• Submission Deadline: March 30, 2026

• Notification of Acceptance: March 1 until April 8, 2026

• Presentation Submission Deadline: April 15, 2026

• Conference Dates: April 22-24, 2026

Venue

The conference will be held onsite at the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O. P. Building, University of Santo Tomas, Espana Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines.  

Contact

If you have any questions or require further information, please contact:

• edtech.conference@ust.edu.ph

• www.facebook.com/ustedutechcenter