Norman MENDOZA and Chun ZENG (Gwen), Year 3 PhD students of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, won the first 3 Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition of the Education University of Hong Kong held on 14th of August 2021. In the event hosted by the Graduate School, Norman and Gwen effectively presented their PhD topics within three minutes amid more than 25 other participants.
Norman received the highest scores from the adjudicating panel composed of Prof Lui Tai-lok, Prof Cheng Kat-hung, and Prof Jim Chi-yung. As a result, he was awarded the Platinum Award by Professor Cheung Yan-leung, President of the University. Gwen received the Silver Award.
Norman’s thesis is on the integration of motivation and self-assessment practice in English language learning among secondary school students in the Philippines. His study has found that self-assessment practice mediates the link between motivation and student achievement. This means that motivated students improve their English learning achievement through self-assessment practice. Gwen’s presentation is about parents’ agency in children’s early English learning in private tutoring in Mainland China. The paper has addressed an under-researched yet important topic of shadow education from the parental perspective.
On the same day of the competition, Norman also won the Gold Award in the Graduate School’s Essay Writing Competition. He is working under the able supervision of Dr Zi Yan of C&I (primary supervisor) and Dr Ronnel King (associate supervisor). He has published seven journal articles and one book chapter during the first two years of his PhD studies.
Congratulations to our PhD students Norman and Gwen!
