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INVITED SPEAKERS: PLENARY
Dr. Kornwipa Poonpon
Khon Kaen University
Thailand
Dr. Kornwipa Poonpon is an Assistant Professor of Applied Linguistics at Khon Kaen University, Thailand. She previously held key positions as the Head of the English Language Department, Chair of the M.A. in English Program, and Director of the Center for English Language Excellence. Recently, she was honored with outstanding research and teaching awards from Khon Kaen University.
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Dr. Poonpon is the President of the Thai Association for Applied Linguistics (TAAL) and previously served as Vice President of Thailand TESOL. She holds a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics from Northern Arizona University, supported by a Fulbright Scholarship. Her research publications focus on areas such as language assessment, corpus linguistics, English language teaching, and technology-enhanced language learning.
​Beyond the Platform: Architecting Sustainable Digital Ecosystems for Language Education
The global push for digital innovation in language education presents both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges. While the promise of technology to enhance learning is immense, a fragmented, tool-centric approach often fails to deliver lasting impact. This address argues for a paradigm shift: from merely implementing digital tools to consciously architecting holistic and sustainable digital learning ecosystems.
Drawing on extensive research rooted in the Thai educational context, this talk uses the development of the TIGA-based English learning platform as a central case study. We will journey from the micro-level—examining how specific design features can align with global standards, i.e., CEFR and PISA, and foster student engagement—to the macro-level. This includes exploring the critical governance structures, data flows, and pedagogical strategies necessary to support a thriving digital ecosystem. The discussion will highlight key insights of a holistic "ecosystem" approach, where technology, content, teacher support, and student engagement are seamlessly interwoven.
Ultimately, this talk will challenge us—as researchers, educators, and policymakers—to move beyond being consumers of technology and become the architects of learning environments. It calls on us to build integrated, responsive, and equitable ecosystems that not only support language acquisition but also empower the next generation of global citizens.