Computers are powerful tools that can substantially change the way students learn mathematics, making it possible for them to learn more mathematics with greater understanding. Technology is becoming more commonplace in math classrooms as a tool to enhance student learning. While it is important for students to spend time using technology in order to develop fluency, it is equally important to consider the richness of these experiences and to probe how such use can be effective for allstudents.

There are several important reasons for looking at technology this way. It is pretty clear that facility with math-related computer applications is becoming absolutely necessary for many careers. Using computers well is important not only in technical careers such as engineering, but in a wide variety of jobs. However, it is important to be aware of the serious equity issues that arise in the use of computers in schools. Girls, minorities, and low-income students are likely to have less experience with computers out of school and may be less able to take advantage of computers in school. Often these groups of students end up using computers in less sophisticated ways that focus on skills to the exclusion of more complex problem solving.

The Weaving Gender Equity into Math Reform project at TERC has created a two-hour workshop session on technology, math, and equity that is appropriate for use as a professional development tool for teachers and administrators. In this session, participants will: learn about ways that computers can support and enhance children's mathematics learning; gain experience using one software program - Tabletop Jr.™ - that supports thinking and reasoning about data, and that can be used in a variety of classroom situations; and consider ways to use their available computer resources equitably (so that all students have equal access to them) in the mathematics class.

The Technology, Math, and Equity session can be used as a stand-alone workshop or as part of an extended in-service training program for teachers and administrators. The session is appropriate for educators who would like to learn how to incorporate computers into their classrooms, and for those who already do so but are concerned about equal access to technology or are looking for new ideas on its uses.

This workshop session is now available in PDF format, and can be downloaded and viewed using Adobe Acrobat Reader. In addition to the workshop session itself, there is a separate file on using TableTop Jr. for those unfamiliar with the software. Please note that this software can be purchased through The Learning Company School Division. If you do use the Technology, Math, and Equity workshop session, please contact us at Christina_Perez@terc.edu to let us know about your experiences. Thank you.

• Technology, Math, and Equity: A Professional Development Workshop for Teachers

• TableTop Jr. Tutorial

Note: An Adobe Acrobat Reader is available for free at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html