Calculators



Calculator Information for Mathematics Courses at East Lawrence High SchoolThis information is mainly intended for parents regarding the purchasing of a calculator and it use on various tests and assessments. We realize that school supplies can be expensive and so we try to limit the things that are required as much as possible. However, for advanced mathematics courses we simply don’t have much choice when it comes to calculators. All of the professional guidelines, as well as the Alabama Mathematics State Course of Study, call for students, especially in advanced courses, to use scientific/graphing calculators and other technologies.? The Alabama State Course of Study in Mathematics states:“Technology is an essential component in the teaching and learning of mathematics. Teachers must take advantage of opportunities to heighten student understanding by planning lessons using available technology and making sound instructional decisions about meaningful projects and tasks in which learning is enhanced through the appropriate use of technology. Technology, when used effectively, increases students’ understanding of fundamental mathematics concepts, helps them develop an appreciation of mathematics, and inspires them to pursue the study of mathematics for a lifetime.” (page 5, 2010 Alabama State Course of Study: Mathematics) “The use of appropriate technology is encouraged for numerical and graphical investigations that enhance analytical comprehension”. (page 103, Introduction to Algebra II with Trigonometry: 2010 Alabama State Course of Study: Mathematics)Many of the national teaching standards (such as the Standards and Practices for Teaching Mathematics published by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) call for the appropriate use of technology in mathematics education. Recently the State of Alabama has adopted a set of national standards called the Common Core Career-Ready Standards. These standards suggest (and in many cases require) the use of technology in representing and solving mathematical based problems.Additionally, most standardized tests, such as the SAT and ACT, require the use of a graphing calculator on mathematics sections.?? The Advanced Placement Exams in Calculus require the use of graphing calculators. The state of Alabama has now replaced the graduation exam with end-of-course tests. These tests, called the Quality Core Assessments, are written by the same company that produces the ACT and strongly suggest the use of graphing calculators on the mathematics related components. Additionally, many college mathematics and related courses require the use of these calculators (the policies regarding calculators can vary drastically among universities and individual professors). If your son or daughter does not already own one, please read this and decide what you think will be best for them.East Lawrence High School has recently purchased a calculator/technology package called the Texas Instruments TI-N’Spire Navigator system. We are the first school in the county and one of the first in this part of the state to use this system. We are most excited about implementing this system into the mathematics curriculum. The system is wireless and allows the teacher to create inter-active lessons and demonstrations for students to explore and use. The TI-N’Spire calculator also has many advanced features not found on other model calculators. With it, students can create documents (like on a computer) and then combine these documents with calculations and graphs. These calculators are allowed on the ACT, End-of-Course Tests, and AP Calculus, Chemistry, and Physics Exams. This means that the students can create notes, make lists of formulas, or record examples that can then be used on these tests to help them earn a higher score. Colleges, such the University of Alabama, are beginning to recommend the N’Spire for incoming freshmen. We have purchased a classroom set of 30 of the TI-N’Spire calculators for students use in Algebra II, Precalculus, and Calculus at school. Under no condition can these calculators be loaned for students to take home. However, you may want to consider purchasing one for your student’s personal use so it can be used at school, home, or when taking the ACT. For Algebra 1 and Geometry classes a good scientific calculator ($12-$30) will be adequate. But for Algebra II, Precalculus, and Calculus classes, a graphing calculator is essential. If your child is entering 9th grade and taking Algebra 1 you may wish to start off by purchasing a less expensive scientific model. But please be aware that for Algebra II and above they will need to use graphing calculator technology. You might consider it cheaper to purchase a model that they can use throughout high school and into college. Though a 9th grade Algebra 1 student might benefit from a graphing calculator, you also have to consider whether or not he or she is mature and responsible enough to handle the responsibility of something so expensive. This is a decision each parent must make for their own son or daughter.A good student model graphing calculator will cost $50.00-$160.00.?? The two most popular brands on the market are made by CASIO and TEXAS INSTRUMENTS. This choice is entirely up to you the parent(s). We do not suggest one brand over another. To try to help defer the immediate cost right at the beginning of school, most of the math teachers will not begin using calculators in class for 2-3 weeks. Hopefully this will allow you to budget this expense along with other back-to-school expenditures. With the increase in smart phones and tablets, such as the I-Pad and Kindle Fire, there are apps that can be downloaded and work like a graphing calculator. BEWARE…SOME OF THESE ARE GOOD AND MANY ARE AWFUL. None of the apps will have all of the capabilities of an actual graphing calculator and tablets or smart phones absolutely cannot be used on any state assessment or on any AP exam. However, if you wish to use one of these devices and the appropriate app in class then usually this will be permissible. Your child does however need to check with his or her teacher concerning the cell-phone use policy in their individual classroom. Please remember that there are hundreds of these types of apps available and the teacher cannot possibly know all of the “ins and outs” of every one. We will certainly work with your son or daughter to help them learn to use whichever model calculator you choose.Below is a brief chart of the usually found models of scientific and graphing calculators along with a description and price range.Calculators for use in Algebra I or Geometry only:Manufacturer/ ModelDescriptionAverage PriceTexas Instruments TI-30/ TI-30X/ TI-34Basic scientific calculators. Basic features. These have no graphing capable features but good for a beginning calculator in Algebra 1.$15-$35 depending on specific model Texas Instruments TI-73 ExplorerThis is a middle school level graphing calculator. It has limited features for high school use. TI claims the calculator is for 6th-8th grade. It could be used in 9th grade Algebra I or Geometry but certainly not for higher level courses$60-$90 depending on where purchasedCasio 300 seriesCasio 115 seriesCasio 260Basic scientific calculators…each of these different series perform about the same. Good for a beginning calculator in Algebra 1. $12-$25Optional Calculators for Algebra 1 and Geometry but Essential for Algebra II, Precalculus, and Calculus.CASIO fx-9750/ fx-9750 plusFor the price, one of the better graphing calculators. A good basic graphing calculator but by today’s standards not very advanced. The big downside is that Casio has almost no product support whatsoever. $50-$60CASIO fx-9860 GIIBasically the same as the fx-9750 (above) but this model features a backlight that helps the user to see the screen in a variety of situations but increases the drain on the power so you will go through batteries more quickly. Casio is phasing out this model.$90-$110CASIO PRIZIMThe newest model CASIO graphing calculator. Features a full color display and has several more built in applications. The cost is the same as the fx-9860 GII above making it a much better deal.$90-$110TI-80/ 81/ 82Discontinued for several years. Very few features-very limited for use in algebra II-practically worthless for more advanced courses. TI-83?/?TI-83 PlusGenerally comparable to the CASIO fx-9750 (though a few less features) but more expensive. Texas Instruments has discontinued manufacturing this model and replaced it with the TI-84.?? $85-$100TI-84 /TI-84 Plus/TI-84 Silver EditionBasically the same as the TI-83 but with more memory, more built-in applications…and higher cost. The Silver Edition comes with a lot of built-in applications and lots of internal memory for downloading and installing more programs. A lot of apps online for free-many of these can be used to study other classes such as chemistry, physics, and even history. Remember, TEXAS INSTRUMENTS are generally more expensive than CASIO but you are buying product support, ease of connecting to a computer, and almost unlimited free apps. $100-$115TI-84 Silver CI’m not sure why Texas Instruments did this except to maybe compete with the Casio Prizm. This is a simply a TI-84 Silver Edition calculator with a color display. For just a few dollars more you can buy an N’Spire which is far more advanced.About $140TI-85/TI-86Discontinued and very awkward to use.? If you come across one of these-run away as fast as you can! Definitely not worth the price.?? $90-$110TI-89One of Texas Instruments most advanced calculators. A little difficult to learn to use, this model is more properly termed a “professional model”. Lots of features and capabilities but not a good choice to begin to learn with. This calculator is allowed for use on the AP Calculus Exam but not allowed on the ACT. This would be a good choice for an engineering student or an older mathematics major in a university but will be frustrating for most high school students.$130-$160TI-NSpireThis is the newest model that Texas Instruments has produced. The calculator interface uses icons on a menu screen like a computer. The calculator can be used to edit documents, work with spreadsheets, type and save notes, download study cards for use in other subjects, as well as other functions. With this calculator apps are interactive documents and there are hundreds available online. TI has also created video tutorials online for this calculator. The newest model of this calculator has a full color display and separate alphabet key pad (similar to some cell phones). It uses “touch wheel” navigation much like an I-Pod. Students can create documents and use the notes they create on tests such as the ACT or AP Exam. Usually comes with student software which duplicates the use of the calculator and can be used to view interactive web pages created by the teacher. If a student is going to take AP Calculus this is the calculator that is beginning to be most recommended. The calculator is “pricey” but is being used by more and more schools and colleges. Note: The CAS version of this calculator is not allowed on tests developed by ACT but is allowed on the AP Calculus Exam. The CX version is allowable on all standardized tests that I know about. $140-$160HP-38/39 seriesMade by Hewlett-Packard these are very good calculators though they may be a little confusing to learn. The real downside is that they are not used by very many people so there are not a lot of support websites or downloadable programs.$60-$75HP 48 / HP 49These graphing calculators made by Hewlett Packard more accurately described as "professional" models rather than "student" models.? These are extremely difficult to learn to use.? They are fantastic calculators but very expensive. These calculators are not allowed on the ACT but are allowed on the AP Calculus Exam. ?$130-$300Again, we apologize for the cost. Hopefully, by postponing the use of calculators for 2-3 weeks, those who are paid once a month would have a chance to be paid again before having to make the purchase. We do have a few calculators at school which may be loaned to students if they cannot afford to purchase their own. There are a very limited number of these and are checked out like a textbook. These loaner calculators will be Casio-9750 or TI-83/84 models. They are available on a first-come-first–serve order based on need. The student must keep up with, maintain, and return the calculator after use or be charged for the purchase price. The TI-N’Spire calculators purchased by the school cannot be loaned out.Students Must Remember:Make sure you write your name on your personal calculator with a permanent marker or better yet; use an etcher or other very sharp tool to lightly scratch your initials into the back case of the calculator.? Just be careful doing this; don't put to much pressure on the tool so as to not cut all the way through the calculator case.??????Never leave your calculator unwatched on your desk between classes. Never leave the calculator anyplace in an unsecured location where you are not personally there to watch it.During break, don’t take your calculator to the classroom and lay it down then go out into the hall and expect the teacher to watch your calculator for you. Most teachers are in the hall during break monitoring students and are not monitoring your calculator.????????Don't leave your calculator in a hot car or in freezing cold weather.? Extreme heat will cause the liquid crystal in the display to expand and break.? Freezing temperatures will cause the screen to crack as well. If the screen cracks, there is nothing you can do about it except buy a new calculator. Don’t drop the calculator on a hard surface (remember-classrooms have hard tile floors). ?????????????????????Keep up with the manual-you might even want to get around to reading it.???Students-don’t make your parents have to buy a new calculator each year. Take care of it. Keep up with it (this means making sure the batteries haven’t run down) even during the summer.Above all… The calculator is a tool. If a mechanic or a carpenter doesn’t know how to properly use a tool or a nurse an instrument then they can’t do their job. The same is true with the calculator. A CALCULATOR WILL NOT ANSWER YOUR PROBLEMS NOR WILL IT DO THE WORK FOR YOU. There is a computer programming acronym that reads “GIGO”. It stands for “Garbage In Garbage Out!” The calculator only does what you tell it to do and if you type the wrong thing then you get the wrong answer. The calculator allows you to see things that would simply take too long to do by hand…however, you still have to understand what you’re looking at and how you arrived at it in the first place. ................
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