Re: Sophisticated calculators

["Paul Camp" <pjcamp@coastal.edu>]

Our math students are required to buy them but after a year of use in 
the calculus course most of them still do not know how to access any 
capabilities that they could not have gotten in a $19.95 calculator. 
The problem, as you note, is that the user interface stinks on ice.

The best that can be said for these things (and it is a great deal in 
some situations) is that they are far cheaper than computers so you 
can equip a lab for a lot less money and do much of the same stuff 
you can do with MBL materials. In public schools, this is a big deal. 
I don't know why college math faculty seem so entranced by them, 
however.

> I know it is not wise to formulate an opinion on the basis of a one-day
> impression. But I have a desire to share these reflections. What do you 
> think about graphic calculators? How many of you use them in the CBL 
> activities? I also was motivated by the prospect of taking students 
> outside for data gathering. But I may change my mind. The learning curve 
> is so steep. And climbing it is so unpleasant. The MBL activities are much 
> more attractive in that respect. Yes, sophisticated calculators are less 
> expensive than computers. But are they worth using? What evidence is 
> available that teaching high school mathematics with them is more 
> productive than teaching it traditionally? 
>                                               Ludwik Kowalski

Paul J. Camp                   "The Beauty of the Universe
Assistant Professor of Physics  consists not only of unity
Coastal Carolina University     in variety but also of 
Conway, SC   29528              variety in unity.
pjcamp@coastal.edu                    --Umberto Eco
pjcamp@postoffice.worldnet.att.net    The Name of the Rose
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