Should Students have Frequent Access to Graphing Calculators?

Top Ten Questions Parents Have About Graphing Calculators

About Graphing Calculators in Mathematics & Science Classes in the Fair Lawn Public Schools (Grades 8-12)

TI-Nspire CX full color graphing calculator

Dear Parent/Guardian:

We strongly encourage students of the Fair Lawn schools to purchase their own calculators.  Calculators have become an integral component of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs throughout our schools.  We want your children to thrive in school and to succeed in their studies both here in Fair Lawn and in their future endeavors.

We believe that students must become comfortable with technology since it offers them a means to explore problem solving, concept development, pattern recognition, data analysis, and numerous other key skills that can help keep them excited about and interested in learning.  Technology enables students to spend a greater amount of time in mathematics and science class interpreting data rather than collecting it.

We also recognize, however, that using technology in the classroom is not a substitute for mastery of basic skills.  Indeed we continue to stress building every student’s fundamental skills in mathematics, science, and other core subjects.

We firmly believe using handheld technology in the classroom gives our students a way to explore ideas and visualize concepts in greater depth than ever before.  In math and in many science classes, we will be using Ti-Nspire CX graphing calculators.  Used appropriately, this graphing technology from Texas Instruments can help lead to better comprehension and mastery of concepts and their real-world applications.  This technology interfaces with Vernier data collection equipment used in science and mathematics classes and expanding into our technology education program.  This kind of cross-curricular learning is critical to ongoing success as your child grows and develops academically.  For these reasons, the amount of exposure your child will have to this type of technology will continue to increase.

Although we will be providing some for the use in the classroom, we encourage each student to have his or her own personal calculator.  Here are some benefits we see in each child owning a calculator:

• With a personal calculator, your child will be able to continue exploring concepts after class, at his or her own pace, and do homework the same way it is taught in class.

• A calculator is a more affordable and convenient form of technology than a personal computer. And a calculator is portable, so your child can have it available anytime, anywhere he or she needs it.

• Like a personal computer, TI calculators with Flash technology are upgradeable, providing long-term value and extending your investment over several school courses.

• Many standardized and college admissions tests approve the use of calculators, including most TI graphing calculators. In fact, several college placement tests require the use of a graphing calculator.

• Your individual purchase can help our school acquire free technology. Purchase a TI calculator at a retail store, save the proof of purchase, and help our school get free educational technology and teaching materials (similar to Campbell Soup labels or Box Tops for Education).
We are suggesting that all students in grades 8th through 12th purchase their own TI-Nspire CX graphing calculator; this is the calculator of choice. Our goal is to have all students own and be proficient at using a TI-Nspire CX graphing calculator. Do not purchase the CAS version. Any student who needs to purchase a calculator should only buy the new TI-Nspire CX.

Sincerely,

Ronald Mezzadri   
Supervisor of Math K-12  
Supervisor of Business 9-12  

 Ronald Durso
Supervisor of Science K-12
Supervisor of Technology Education 9-12

Purchasing Advice

This information is provided for advice only.  The Fair Lawn Public Schools does not recommend any particular company or store over another.

The TI-Nspire CX can be purchased during August “Back to School Sales” at your local Office Supply store for the approximate cost of $135.

The calculator can be purchased for a similar price at http://www.eaieducation.com.

Remember to save your Proof of Purchase and turn it in to you math teacher so our school can earn free educational technology and teaching materials.