With two upcoming exams in introductory courses I had to make a
decision on the level of calculator that I would permit.... My decision
ended up being based more on the demographics of our students than any
other factor. Since we are a large, urban, comprehensive university we
have a very diverse student body. Some students can afford - and have
purchased "top of the line" programmable, graphing calculators...while
others can barely afford a basic nonprogrammable scientific model selling
for under $20. I felt that I have an obligation to make the exam
conditions as fair as possible for all the students, so I have restricted
them to the use of basic nonprogrammable models. I also allow them to
bring one 3" by 5" note card (very cheap random access memory!)
Mark
Dr. Mark H. Shapiro
Physics Department
California State University, Fullerton
P.O. Box 6866
Fullerton, California 92834-6866