Microsoft Corp., in partnership with the Math Forum at Drexel University, will provide online professional development to educators to support teaching and learning mathematics with technology. The new workshop, Tools for Building Math Concepts, explores how teachers can use software tools to help third- through fifth-grade students develop fundamental math concepts by gathering data and investigating patterns. These concepts are the building blocks for success in middle school math.

The Microsoft-sponsored Math Forum workshop will be announced at the annual meeting of the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics on March 19 in Atlanta. Teachers who complete the Tools for Building Math Concepts workshop will receive continuing education credits at no charge. Teachers can register online at http://mathforum.org/toolsandconcepts.

The workshop connects teachers with the Math Forum’s Math Tools, a digital library and teaching community of technology tools, lessons, activities and support materials. The Math Forum also hosts online programs for teachers to work collaboratively to continue their professional development throughout their careers.