Dr Kevin Yung, Associate Professor at the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, received donations and Research Grants Council’s Research Matching Grant to examine self-regulated online learning of students with financial difficulties, as well as educational inequality led by private tutoring in Hong Kong.
Starting in 2021, Dr Yung has been working with Principal Chan Free Tutorial World (陳校長免費補習天地), an NGO that offers free one-on-one tutoring for underprivileged students in Hong Kong. Phase I of this project created an online platform of self-study videos, as well as teaching and learning resources to help both volunteer tutors and students.
Phase II of this project examines self-regulated online learning in shadow education, focusing on underprivileged students who receive fee-free supplementary tutoring in Hong Kong.
“Students from poorer families are usually disadvantaged due to inadequate learning resources. This educational inequality is exacerbated by the global prevalence of private tutoring,” he said. “Phase I of our project created an online platform with online learning resources for underprivileged students receiving fee-free tutoring. Our research in Phase II will find out how they use those resources to supplement their learning in the school curriculum and look into their learning behaviours, such as their usage of the online videos, and the frequency and quality of the questions asked on the platform.”
The findings will inform policymakers what extra support this group of students needs to minimise educational inequalities.
The Research Matching Grant Scheme was introduced by the Hong Kong Government to increase the social impact of the research conducted by the higher education sector. The project was also funded by donations from the Shang Shin Chun Tong Charitable Foundation, Hung Hom (Three Districts) Kaifong Association and Venture Global Limited.
