MST+PORTAL+Initiative

**MST PORTAL Initiative**
Wendy Smith - Webster Central School District, Webster, NY Lucia Guarino - St. John Fisher College, Rochester, NY James Schwartz - St. John Fisher College, Rochester, NY NSTA Conference Boston, MA March 30, 2008

The Promoting Open Reflective Teaching and Learning (PORTAL) Initiative for Math, Science, and Technology uses videoconferencing technology to connect inservice and preservice teachers to build a professional learning community dedicated to improving student performance.

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 * Engage:**
 * Greetings & Introductions by facilitators
 * Video clip of the PORTAL initiative


 * Explore:**
 * Participants introductions and sharing what you hope to learn
 * Guiding questions prior to the Skype call:
 * What do you see that is valuable?
 * What possibilities do you see from this professional development format?
 * What questions do you have for us?
 * Video Skype call with students to model the conversational process


 * Explain:**
 * Participants share reactions and thoughts regarding the Skype call conversation
 * Sharing our process through an interactive discussion


 * Extend:**
 * Explore possibilities to use this technology to promote open, reflective teaching and learning
 * What is it that you want to do next?
 * What is it that you need to do to make this happen?
 * Networking possibilities within this group


 * Evaluate:**
 * What have you learned or gained from this presentation?