Greetings, multipliers!

We invite you all to try out the Multiplication Tool, which represents the first in a series of  Math-related tools that we will be developing over the next several years. 

By way of introducing our reasoning for emphasizing math, I'll relate that this morning, I almost choked over my Cheerios while reading Louisiana's 2009 Grade 4 Math Scores report. Take a look. Kids in Louisiana - and nationally - need, deserve, require - our support. 

Robert, Albert Liau, Nan Ding and I have spent the past month developing references that will guide PLML's work in the area of Math instruction. Specifically, we're focused on understanding the central skills and challenges in math learning. PLML will then produce free tools that support effective instruction in these skills and challenges. Together, we can help kids in Louisiana, and everywhere, succeed by producing many high-quality Math instructional tools. 

The Multiplication Tool - in Beta, currently - is designed to teach Multiplication to a late Elementary and early Middle School audience. It can be used to model or to practice, and although it teaches Standard Multiplication, Partial Products and Lattice Multiplication, it is agnostic of any particular Math teaching methodology. 

If you have a few moments, we would love for you - our Fans! - to try it out and let us know two things.

First, what do you like about it? What works? And second, what can we improve, and how?

We'll be listening - and cheers!

--Dave