This study assessed perceptions of self-efficacy and successful intelligence among 220 Chinese prospective and in-service secondary school teachers in Hong Kong. Teacher self-efficacy in six domains - teaching highly able learners, classroom management, guidance and counselling, student engagement, teaching to accommodate diversity, and teaching for enriched learning - was related to the three triarchic dimensions (analytical, creative, and practical) of successful intelligence. Each of the three triarchic abilities was found to contribute independently and in combination to the prediction of the six domains of teacher self-efficacy. Practical abilities were the most significant predictor of self-efficacy beliefs in five domains. Teaching teachers for successful intelligence, in strategies to enhance teacher self-efficacy, is discussed.
[Copyright of Educational Psychology is the property of Routledge. Full article may be available at the publisher's website:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01443410802259246]

A review and analysis of the research literature on teachers' classroom use of approval/praise and disapproval/reprimand is provided in an attempt to determine the extent to which teachers typically employ praise in their classroom teaching. There is a considerable degree of agreement across the studies reviewed, carried out in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and St Helena, regarding the ways in which teachers typically deploy approval and disapproval, with some interesting variations. There is little evidence to suggest that teachers, universally, systematically deploy contingent praise as positive reinforcement in spite of the considerable literature testifying to its effectiveness. In particular, praise for appropriate classroom social behaviour is only rarely observed.
[Copyright of Educational Psychology is the property of Routledge. Full article may be available at the publisher's website:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/713663753 ]

This paper reports findings about a curriculum innovation conducted at The University of Hong Kong. A CD‐ROM consisting of videos of two lessons by different teachers demonstrating exemplary science teaching was used to elicit conceptions of good science teaching of student‐teachers enrolled for the 1‐year Postgraduate Diploma in Education at several stages during the programme. It was found that the videos elicited student‐teachers' conceptions and had impact on those conceptions prior to the commencement of formal instruction. It has extended student‐teachers' awareness of alternative teaching methods and approaches not experienced in their own schooling, broadened their awareness of different classroom situations, provided proof of existence of good practices, and prompted them to reflect on their current preconceptions of good science teaching. In several ways, the videos acted as a catalyst in socializing the transition of student‐teachers from the role of student to the role of teacher.
[Copyright of International Journal of Science Education is the property of Routledge. Full article may be available at the publisher's website:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09500690500239805 ]

This paper shares with readers the findings of a study that was set in the context of a school curriculum initiative on task-based instruction. The study examined 1) the understanding and decision-making of teachers teaching English as a second language about language learning and classroom task preparation, 2) the difference in task interpretation among elementary and secondary teachers, and 3) the factors influencing interpretations. A total of 114 secondary and primary teachers of English attending an in-service teacher education program on the new curriculum were surveyed and interviewed. Findings indicate that the teachers had a tacit understanding of how to develop and adapt a task description for classroom instructional use.