operations, fractions, parallel and perpendicular lines, and quadrilaterals),
which were combined into one paper. The pre-test was administered
at the beginning of the AfL PDP and the post-test was administered at the
end of the programme (one academic year time gap). Test questions were
the same at both points of time. Two target groups of similar academic
abilities studying in primary four were identifi ed in each school, one to
act as a control group and the other to act as an experimental group. In
the fi rst cohort, a total of 523 students in eight primary schools completed
the pre- and post-tests. Only six students from each class (sample group of
96 students), representing high, medium and low academic abilities, took
speaking tests of the English and Chinese languages. Comparison of the
eff ect size of the experimental and control groups showed that the AfL
PDP had positive impacts on student learning. There were clear improvements
between the pre- and post-tests in the diff erent subject areas in all
schools for the experimental group students (eff ect size: English Language
0.3998, Chinese Language 0.4036 and Mathematics 0.2855). Given the
limitations of pre- and post-tests, as mentioned previously, additional
qualitative data were collected to help validate the fi ndings revealed by
the pre- and post-tests.
Interviews
Interviews were conducted with senior school personnel, participating
teachers, the external examiner and a sample group of students. Interviews
from diff erent sources converged on the same conclusion that students in
the experimental group had become more engaged in their learning. Summary
of the interviews are displayed below.
From the senior school personnel:
Students had many opportunities to participate in the assessment
activities. They enjoyed the learning that came with them. Students
were very engaged in learning.
From the project teachers:
Students became more active and were more engaged in the lessons.
They were more aware of their strengths and weaknesses and would
think about how they could improve their learning.
From the external examiner of the project:
Hong Kong students are usually very passive in learning. But the
students of the lessons observed were very engaged in all learning
activities.