Review of Ti-nspire Cas Software-teacher

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The TI-Nspire CAS is an improved version of theTI-89 calculator. Like the TI-89 it has graphing and symbolic capability as well as the usual calculator functions.What is new in this calculator over the TI-89?The features that I have been able to identify and use are a definite improvement.One feature is that there are templates for most of the operations needed in calculus.These include integration, differentiation, limit, product, and others.The templates make it less likely that there are syntax errors in entering a calculation.The templates can also be used in programs as well as doing individual calculations.

It is possible to organize problems and documents on the TI-Nspire CAS.You can save work as documents.The documents have pages to organize the work into logical divisions.Your work can be saved and retrieved in an organized way.It is also possible to have more than one window displayed at a time.By this means you can monitor a graph as a parameter is changed or you can immediately see the effect of changing some part of a program.

The software version of the TI-Nspire CAS calculator is invaluable for those using the calculator in the classroom.Now you can bring a laptop to class with the software installed.By connecting the laptop to a projector, you can now teach the use of the calculator very effectively.The display is more detailed than projecting the calculator display.With the software version is also easier to write programs and do calculations since you have the computer keyboard and mouse.

Are there drawbacks?The TI-Nspire CAS is definitely intimidating.Once you have learned to navigate its many features, it is very powerful.However, without help, you will have trouble seeing how to do even some of the simple things that you may have in mind.As the calculator becomes more popular, this will not be the problem that it is now.Now, there is no one to turn to when you are frustrated.

As an example, I created some functions.They were examples to see how to create the functions and use them.When I was finished I wanted to delete them.But how do I delete them?Being familiar with the TI-89, I thought that the process would be similar.The familiar ways in the TI-89 did not work on the TI-Nspire CAS.Now that I have figured it out, it is simple enough.But finding the solution to this and other problems can be frustrating for the beginner.A human guide would be helpful and for most people essential.

How does the software compare with Maple and Mathematica?The TI-Nspire CAS software is limited, but has enough capability to be useful for classroom use.

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Product Description:
TI-Nspire Cas Software-Teacher

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Review of BIG CALCULATOR

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Product is generally what it's made out to be, with one notable exception.It is not a dual power item (just battery power), which was an important criteria for me (if you don't care about solar power, there are lots of other large calculators).Button layout is also different from the picture, but generally functional.

Overall the calculator works, but you have to be careful to press the large buttons right in the center, or your entry may not be registered.Not a big deal, but it means that you have to watch the screen carefully as you push buttons to make sure nothing is missed.

One other "nice to have" would have been comma displays in large numbers (e.g., 1,000,000 for one million, whereas the calculator displays 1000000).

Other than that it works like you would expect a calculator to; and the price is reasonable.

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Product Description:
Auto OffRubber KeypadMemory CalculationDual PoweredSolar Battery OperatedExtra Large 8 Digit Tilting Display

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Review of Ti-nspire Rechargeable Battery

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Battery was quick and easy to install. Recharges very quickly. Saved a lot of money by not having to buy AAA batteries.

* You can put AAA batteries and have the rechargeable battery in at the same time.

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TI-Nspire Rechargeable Battery

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Review of TI-Nspire CAS with Touchpad

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Call me totally impressed! I have used the TI-83/84 calculators for years but rarely the advanced features they offered. I often found them to obscure and annoying. The Nspire takes a powerful document approach that is totally different than the Ti 83/84 series.

This Nspire CAS Touchpad is quite a revelation. It took me all of an hour to understand (with the Dummies book at my side) almost all the functions it offers. The keypad is clear and obvious unlike the first versions of the Nspire. I was amazed at how much I could do with this device with so little effort. I have been using Mathematica for many of the classes I teach. The Nspire can replace Mathematica for most of the things we do in undergraduate physics and engineering courses. That is impressive.

The large screen is a bonus. The characters are clear with high resolution. The large screen means that everything you do is easier to see and analyze. The screen is adjustable but it is still a calculator screen. You need light to see it well as it is not backlit like LCD computer monitors.

Some people compare the Nspire with the Ti-89. Sorry, no contest. This Inspire runs rings around the Ti-89, a calculator I never really liked. It is faster, easier to use and read, and a joy to use. Don't waste your time with the TI-89. Putting a little time in learning the Nspire paradigm will reward you.

The Nspire comes with desktop software that duplicates the functions of the calculator. On a MacBook Pro, it installed right away without problems. There is a link included with the software that allows you to backup and update the Nspire as well as move files back and forth.

The Nspire links up with the Venier Go! and EasyLink sensors. I haven't tried this yet but will in the next week or so. We have LabPros and LabQuests for our classes, but it will be fun to try the Nspire anyway.

I have not been so impressed with a calculator since my very first HP-15C too many years ago. It's even more impressive than my first professional slide rule! I very rarely gush about a product, but this device is something I have been looking for a very long time.

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Product Description:
TI-Nspire CAS w/ Touchpad

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Review of TI-Nspire CAS Graphing Calculator

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(More customer reviews)This is a calculator with tons of potential, however it is not nearly as user friendly as every other TI graphing calculator is.I'm an AP Calculus teacher and ordered one of these through school funds to test out.It can do everything that the TI-89 does and has much more potential than the TI-89, but the thought of teaching my students to use one of these just scares the bejesus out of me.

Pros:
1. Large screen with good resolution.
2. little green letter buttons make it easier to enter commands.
3. WYSIWYG typing means you don't have to remember calculator syntax.It's much easier to enter a definite integral or limit.
4. Graphing window allows you to graph rectangular, polar, and parametric equations simultaneously.
5. Click and drag feature on the graph screen is nice.

Cons:
1. The letter buttons are always in the way while I'm trying to enter numbers.
2. Screen can be difficult to read.
3. There is not a model that hooks up to a TI presenter.It does come with software where you can use a computer version of the calculator (assuming you have an LCD projector), but it's much slower than simply hitting actual buttons.
4. Finding max, min, roots, and intersections takes longer than on the TI-89.
5. When you do find the things from my #4 con, the calculator displays them right in the middle of the graphing screen, so you have to click and drag them out of the way to continue viewing the graph.
6. The "y=" screen is included as part of the graph screen, taking up graphing space.
7. Viewing a function table isn't difficult, but I can't figure out how to view a window containing ONLY the function table.It splits the screen with the graph on the left and the table on the right.This keeps you from being able to see several function values at the same time.Also I can't figure out how to close the table. I'm sure there's an easy way, but due to the completely inadequate user manual I have no idea what it is.
EDIT: I figured out how to view a function table on a different page/tab in the calculator, so the split screen problem is solved and it's much easier to close the function table.It still is not very intuitive at all and if I weren't very tech savvy I'd have never figured it out.
8. I have yet to find a differential equation graphing mode, and internet searches lead me to believe there isn't one.Why in the world would TI include this with the TI-89 and not with their new, supposed top-of-the-line model?

I may edit this as I find more pros or cons.I've had this calculator for 3 or 4 months and I do get it out on occasion to give it another shot, but each time I'm just as disappointed as the last.I keep think it just has a steep learning curve and I'll eventually catch on but it's not happening.That being the case, I have a feeling that if I tried to get my students to use this calculator I would be spending too much time just teaching them to use it.

If this calculator was only $50 and the TI-89 Titanium stayed at about $150 I'd still encourage my students to get the 89.

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Product Description:
The TI-Nspire CAS handheld and computer software has all the functionality of TI-Nspire technology plus built-in CAS (Computer Algebra System) capabilities. Explore, evaluate and simplify expressions, numeric problems and variables symbolically. Experience all the functionality of TI-Nspire technology plus built-in CAS capabilities, which provides the ability to explore, evaluate and simplify expressions, numeric problems and variables symbolically. The TI-Nspire CAS handheld does not include the snap-in TI-84 Plus Keypad, which is compatible exclusively with the TI-Nspire handheld.White box.

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Review of Texas Instruments TI-NSpire Math and Science Handheld Graphing Calculator

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Strengths:

The document management system -- multiple "problems" can be kept in the calculator at the same time, and each problem keeps its own variable names; good graphing capabilities; ability to split the screen and work with multiple views of the same problem; spreadsheet application.The calculator has 5 "applications" (calculator, graphs & geometry, spreadsheet, data & statistics, notes), and information can be shared between them.

Weaknesses:
The documentation is very poor.There are two user guides, with considerable overlap in the contents.In User Guide Part 1, which comes packaged with the calculator, there are 25 pages on the Graphs & Geometry application, and the information on how to actually plot a graph is barely mentioned.User Guide Part 2 comes as a PDF file, and has more detail, but is badly organized and missing a lot of information.For example, instructions for a number of operations say to "drag" something, but nowhere in the manual does it say how to do that.

Keypad: other reviewers have commented on the difficulty pressing the right buttons on the keypad.Even worse is the "mouse" operation.I finally discovered that dragging involves holding the center "Click button" while pressing the arrow keys on the "NavPad".It is very difficult to control the cursor with the NavPad, and doubly so when trying to hold down the click button.Also, what operation is done by a click or drag is dependent on where on the screen the cursor is, and it's difficult to control the cursor location with the level of precision needed.

TI-84 compatibility: This seemed like a great idea.However, as far as I can determine, there's no way to integrate TI-84 functions with TI-Nspire functions.When you put in the TI-84 keypad, you get a TI-84.With the TI-Nspire keypad, you get a TI-Nspire.If you want to transfer information from one to the other, it seems to be impossible.The only relevant information in the documentation about TI-84 mode is a warning that if you update the operating system, all your added TI-84 applications will be deleted.

Lack of software: The TI-84 has a lot of user-contributed software.There's almost nothing on the TI web site for the TI-Nspire.I also didn't find much with a web search, and some of what is available requires the CAS version.For example, there don't appear to be any built-in physical constants or conversion factors for units.I could switch to TI-84 mode and get them, but then what's the point of buying the TI-Nspire?

Summary:

This calculator does not appear to be well-engineered or well-supported by TI.I would recommend waiting to see whether they give it the support that it deserves.

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Product Description:
The TI-Nspire handheld comes with a snap-in TI-84 Plus Keypad that provides the same keystrokes as TI-83 Plus, TI-84 Plus and TI-84 Plus Silver Edition graphing calculators. Whether handhelds are provided by your school or your students bring in personally-owned units, this side-by-side compatibility between TI-Nspire handhelds and existing TI graphing calculators delivers a comfortable transition to TI-Nspire technology.Inclueds USB cable for software and file downloads.

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Review of Texas Instruments Ti-nspire Graphing Calculator with Touchpad

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(More customer reviews)I got this calculator a couple of days ago with the rechargeable battery (You should get it if you buy this, the $15 dollars will save money in the long run). The calculator turns on quick. Has great features. The touchpad is like a computer trackpad. You just move your finger and it moves the mouse.

It comes with many built in documents that teach you how to use the calculator. They're helpful if this is your first T.I. Nspire (This is my second).

The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because you have to go to T.I.'s website to get your FREE T.I. 84 keypad and wait for them to ship it to you. Mine still is has not arrived.

*Make sure to buy the rechargeable battery.
*Go to [...]

Have fun with your calculator!

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Product Description:
TI-Nspire with Touchpad

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