Reign of the $100 graphing calculator is ending
1–10 of 79 posts
Re: Reign of the $100 graphing calculator is ending
#2can't happen fast enough, though that is small potatoes compared to the textbook racket.
Re: Reign of the $100 graphing calculator is ending
#3Going digital would have some other advantages too. It would be easy to make a staged calculator where buttons only appear as you learn how to use them, for instance, so you don't stick a calculator in an Algebra II student's face that has stuff for calculus on it, which only contributes to the mystique of "math being hard".
For a specialist who uses physical calculators all the time for serious computations, the advantages of a dedicated physical keyboard for your math probably can't be beat.
But... uhh.... who exactly does that describe nowadays? I'm sure it's non-zero; I'm also sure we're into "niche within a niche" territory here.
Re: Reign of the $100 graphing calculator is ending
#4How is replacing a offline device with a connected app better?
The school boards should simply certify multiple devices for use in the exams.
Hardware is primitive and some enterprising company can devise a much nicer interface and probably at 1/4th price.
Re: Reign of the $100 graphing calculator is ending
#5When I was at school in the UK the Casio calculator reigned supreme.
Luckily there is this rather nice Android App called RealCalc which emulates the kind of caclulator I used to use at school quite well!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.nickfine...
I spent 100s of hours using that calculator so having a exact replica on my phone is very helpful.
My kids use yet another different Casio calculator which continually frustrates me with its desire to represent everything as a fraction!
Re: Reign of the $100 graphing calculator is ending
#6yes I can see exam boards allowing students to have access to an internet based app NOT!
Re: Reign of the $100 graphing calculator is ending
#7I understand this intellectually, but it still makes me sad.
I had to reach down into my bag, to check the number on mine:
TI-85. I actually use mine occasionally. When my original one died, I picked up a used on amazon. I think I know how my old science teacher who kept a slice rule in his shirt pocket felt........
Re: Reign of the $100 graphing calculator is ending
#8Going digital would have some other advantages too. It would be easy to make a staged calculator where buttons only appear as you learn how to use them, for instance, so you don't stick a calculator in an Algebra II student's face that has stuff for calculus on it, which only contributes to the mystique of "math being hard". For a specialist who uses physical calculators all the time for serious computations, the adv…
Pretty much anyone working non trivially in STEM fields would find a physical calculator usefull - Acountants would be another group.
Which reminds me I must see if I can get a replacement battery for my old HP RPN Calculator
Re: Reign of the $100 graphing calculator is ending
#9Related story (the author describing the TI monopoly jogged my memory): I am part of the generation that was required to buy a big blue or black graphing calculator. As a high schooler I was indignant that we were being told to buy from just one company. So, based on reviews posted in a variety of online forums, I bought an HP-48 instead of the specified TI.
After telling all my friends that my new calculator was going to be amazing, I got it home, pulled it out of the box, turned it on, tried to add two numbers, and failed. After the sinking feeling passed, I started in to figuring out what I had determined the root-problem was: Reverse Polish Notation. A couple years of math and physics classes were then spent trying desperately to not let on to my peers or teachers that I had no idea how to do the thing that was being taught. I'd frequently spent time scouring the Internet and HP-48 menus to replicate what I'd seen in class.
But man did I love that calculator. The RPN stopped being a liability, and became an asset. And, the equation library saved my bacon on occasion.
Re: Reign of the $100 graphing calculator is ending
#10Related story (the author describing the TI monopoly jogged my memory): I am part of the generation that was required to buy a big blue or black graphing calculator. As a high schooler I was indignant that we were being told to buy from just one company. So, based on reviews posted in a variety of online forums, I bought an HP-48 instead of the specified TI. After telling all my friends that my new calculator was goi…
Reverse Polish Notation is AWESOME!