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Blended learning has been described as a pedagogical approach that combines effectiveness and socialization opportunities of the classroom with the technologically enhanced active learning possibilities of the online environment (Dziuban, Hartman, & Moskal, 2004). It has also been depicted as an approach that combines traditional learning with web-based online approaches (Whitelock & Jefts, 2003). To what extent are these claims? This study shares the findings of a research project that investigates the use of blended learning in the teaching of English for Academic Purposes to nine classes of students from the Faculty of Social Sciences at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. The blended approach comes in the form of a new course book with a supporting online component. A quantitative approach involving the use of a questionnaire survey was used to find out if the blended approach has benefited the students in terms of meeting their language and personal needs. The findings revealed that the students viewed this approach favourably though slow internet connectivity was a problem.

The assessment practices in schools have moved from the traditional way of assessing students, which is too exam oriented and relies heavily on standardized exams, towards a more holistic assessment which involves the integration of Central Assessment and School-based Assessment. This paper aims to review the relevant studies on Central Assessment, School-Based Assessment, Formative Assessment (FA) and Assessment for Learning (AfL) in Singapore and Malaysia. It begins with a brief history of assessment in Malaysia and Singapore. Then, it critically reviews the concepts of Formative Assessment and Assessment for Learning as practiced in both countries. From the review, some differences and challenges between the two educational systems particularly with regard to the implementation of classroom assessment are identified. These differences include the medium of instruction, the assessment system and the average class size. Despite the challenges, School-based Assessment, Formative Assessment and Assessment for Learning should be duly implemented regardless of the increased workload and the level of the teachers’ skills in assessment. It is found that these factors do not adversely affect the practices of Formative Assessment and Assessment for Learning by the teachers.

This study aimed to investigate the practices of the AfL strategies and the stages of assessment in pedagogy by English language teachers in primary schools. In Phase I: the Quantitative Strand, the Assessment for Learning Audit Instrument (AfLAi) was distributed to a total of 89 primary schools in the Hulu Langat district. The AfLAi results determined the cut-off points and the divergent categories to be further investigated in Phase II: Qualitative Strand. The 244 respondents were clustered into two subset participants of four higher and four lower scorers in the AfLAi who were investigated via a semi-structured interview and/or observation. The results from the AfLAi cum the cut-off points were Mean=3.7 on QCD (SD=0.74), sharing LOSC (SD=0.79) and FB (SD=0.77), and mean=3.3 on PSA (SD=0.87). From Phase I, 15 divergent categories were selected. Phase II findings on the 115 recurring categories were divided into three profiles: the higher scorers (29 categories), the lower scorers (26 categories) and the consensus (60 categories). Consequently, the 15 divergent categories were explained in a joint display to observe the similarities and the differences of practised amongst the higher and the lower scorers in the AfLAi. The joint display affirmed that 11 categories were practiced similarly. The four differences were on the “Availability of LOs”, “Questioning strategies”, “Compliment with FB”, and “Pupils’ progress report/self-assess”. It indicated that regardless of their scores, the participants had contributed some practical approaches to the study framework, which were beneficial beyond disciplines and classroom situations.