Ti Nspire

Texas Instruments STEM Behind Hollywood Update

Back the beginning of the school year, I reported on a new Texas Instruments initiative to create engaging classroom materials for the TI-Nspire. These modules brought out the mathematics and science behind popular Hollywood movies themes. TI calls the initiative “STEM Behind Hollywood.” Since I did the initial post about the first STEM Behind Hollywood module on Zombies, Texas Instruments has rolled out a couple of more modules. The first was “Earth Impact,” a scenario where students examine have to examine how scientists will attempt to change the trajectory of an asteroid on a collision course with earth.

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Drawing Connections with TI-Nspire Functions vs Derivatives

Recently, I was very honored to have the opportunity to speak at a professional development day at Illinois Central College. The math department their asked me to introduce them to the TI-Nspire, as they are starting to see a significant number of their students show up with the Nspire. In addition to a basic overview of the device, I presented the ICC math department with series of activities I might use in algebra, calculus, and statistics.

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ICTM Wrap-up Thoughts: CCSS/PARCC, Apple, and TI-Nspire

Since I had responsibilities at the ICTM conference last week that I haven’t had at past conferences, I wasn’t able to cover it in the same level of depth that I have when I attend an NCTM or T3. That’s fine, because as a state level conference, there wasn’t as much too see as one of those national conferences anyway. However, I do have a few closing thoughts to share from ICTM.

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The TI-Nspire and Microsoft Excel

As I’ve mentioned a couple of times on Tech Powered Math, I’m leading the charge on our new statistics class at my school. It’s the culmination of several years of effort, including a feasibility study, search for textbooks, curriculum adoption, and now implementation. It’s very exciting and exhausting at the same time. The class is serving as a capstone course for students who have come through the “standard” sequence of courses, but it has also attracted a significant number of “honors students” who are looking forward to the opportunity to take the AP Statistics test to earn college credit at the end of the year.

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(ENDED) Win a TI-Nspire CX Graphing Calculator Accessory from Guerrilla

UPDATE: The contest is over. The winners are Carol of College Station, Texas, Melissa of Chillicothe, Ohio, and Donna of Evansville, Indiana. Thanks to everyone who participated! About a month ago, I did a review of Guerrilla Graphing Calculator Accessories. If you’re looking for the short version of that review, I think they’re going to be a hit this school this year. They fit Texas Instruments calculators perfectly, and they offer many cool, stylish designs.

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Interview With Texas Instruments President Melendy Lovett About Hollywood STEM Initiative

Texas Instruments launched their Hollywood STEM initiative with a TI-Nspire Zombie activity Yesterday, Texas Instruments revealed that it has been hard at work creating a series of supplementary curriculum STEM activities connected to movies. STEM Behind Hollywood is TI’s new program of TI-Nspire activities. The first of these activities is Zombie Apocalypse, an activity inspired by zombie movies. The activity works on the TI-Nspire handheld, iPad app, or computer software. In addition to an interactive file that allows students to learn mathematics and science using the TI-Nspire, Texas Instruments has also bundled printable pdf files that include a student handout and teacher lesson plan.

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TI-Nspire CX vs. TI-84 Plus

Please buy your TI-Nspire CX on Amazon . With a new school year upon us, I’m bound to get a flood of questions from students about which graphing calculator is right for them. Since the new color TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition is now on the market, I’m assuming the question of the TI-Nspire CX vs. the TI-84 Plus C will be one of the biggest questions I get this school year.

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Advice for Buying a Used Graphing Calculator

For a great selection of used graphing calculators, click here to see Ebay’s full selection. While most end up buying a new calculator, some thrifty students (or their parents) end up buying a used graphing calculator. Much like buying a used car, the main advantage is depreciation. You can often buy a used graphing calculator for half of what a new one would cost. On the other hand, much like buying a used car, there are some risks.

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Guerrilla Graphing Calculator Accessories Review

Please buy your Guerrilla Graphing Calculator accessories at Amazon. Recently I heard from a new company, Guerrilla Calculator Accessories, asking me to take a looking at their line of graphing calculator cases, protectors, covers and shields for Texas Instruments calculators. I thought, “Sure, how extensive a lineup could they possibly have?” Little did I know. About a week later, a case of accessories arrived at my door. The guys at Guerrilla have thought of just about every possible way a student might want to accessorize and protect their Texas Instruments graphing calculator.

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TI Offers Free Navigator Systems

Just like last year, Texas Instruments is once again offering free TI-Nspire CX Navigator systems to teachers who collect enough proofs of purchase from TI-Nspire CX’s. This year, they are requiring 60 of the purchase cards that come with the TI-Nspire CX. The deadline for submission is September 20, 2013. You’ll need to go through a bit of online training if you’ve never attend a T3 event in the past, but the required 3 hour investment is well worth the return.

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