PMU-B conducted a site visit to monitor the project on smart learning models and innovations aimed at developing learners' competencies in real-life contexts

On July 14, 2023, from 09:00 to 12:00, the Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B), led by Professor Dr. Sompong Klainongsuang, Director of PMU-B; Associate Professor Dr. Rina Phattharamanon, Chair of the Frontier Research Cluster Coordination Committee; and Ms. Jatuporn Chokphukhiw, Chair of the SHA and AI Cluster Coordination Committee, along with PMU-B analysts, conducted a site visit to monitor the progress of the project titled "Smart Learning Models and Innovations for Competency Development in Digital Environments." The visit took place at the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning Research, 7th Floor, Information Center Building, Khon Kaen University. The delegation was warmly welcomed by Professor Dr. Kulthida Tuamsuk and the research team.

The project titled “Smart Learning Models and Innovations for Competency Development in Digital Environments” has been actively implemented, with an 18-month progress report recently submitted—following a prior 12-month interim report. The project involves a total of 44 researchers from Khon Kaen University and other academic institutions, with numerous tangible achievements. This research program spans a period of three years and comprises five sub-projects.

Originally funded by the Ministry of Education through a mid-year central budget, the initiative began in 2017 and has since engaged 205 participating schools. The project aims to modernize learner development by addressing challenges identified through the analysis of students’ performance in three core academic subjects—science, mathematics, and English—which consistently demonstrated scores below national benchmarks.

To address these issues, the project focuses on three key areas of transformation:

1. Improving and transforming teaching methodologies among educators;

2. Studying and understanding the learning behaviors of lower secondary students aged 13–15;

3. Adapting to the evolving learning environment in which technology plays a dominant role in daily life.

As part of the solution, the project involves the development and implementation of educational applications. With funding support from PMU-B, a smart learning platform was developed to support lower secondary school students. The platform serves as a tool for both teachers and students to engage in mutual learning and includes features for academic performance evaluation.

Finally, Professor Dr. Sompong Klainongsuang, Director of PMU-B, offered recommendations on the integration and collaboration among the individual sub-projects. He emphasized the importance of establishing clear mechanisms for shared responsibility within joint projects, with the aim of further developing and expanding the accumulated knowledge into additional core or elective courses. This approach is intended to serve as a sustainable foundation for youth development in the future.