ticalc.org
Basics Archives Community Services Programming
Hardware Help About Search Your Account
   Home :: Community :: Articles :: Are They Necessary?
Are They Necessary?

Posted on 4 March 1999

The following text was written by Shane Burgess:

I have talked with many fellow classmates and college professors about using graphing calculators. Some of the questions I asked were as simple as "which one should I get?" and some were as complex as how to use specific functions on a certain calculator. But, if a class really doesn't need a graphing calculator, and the instructor doesn't support their use in a class, then they may just get in the way. Especially if the user is playing games during class time.

Most of the math instructors at the community college I attend require the use of graphing calculators. This is great, for it has been proven that when graphing calculators are in the curriculum, they do indeed help the students understand the necessary concepts faster and more efficiently. They are a tool, a very powerful tool, and they should not be abused.

Graphing Calculators were designed to help students grasp the concepts of Algebra, Algebra II, and other graphing concepts. Even though they are capable of playing games, that is not what they were meant for. Playing games while in a class will be distraction, a disturbance to others, and slow done the lesson for the class. Many instructors are aware of the fact graphing calculators can play games, and they won't allow them for the lesson or for the entire class. This is not what we want to happen.

Graphing calculators are an essential tool for learning difficult concepts. I applaud the teachers that feel as strong as I do about them. If a student is only playing games on their calculator, then maybe they should have the privilige of using a calculator taken away. That's correct, using a graphing calculator is a privilige, not a right. A student can fight and moan about losing their calculator, but if they were misusing the "tool" then it is fair.

Graphing calculator games are great and a lot of fun. It is okay to have them on the calculator, but to avoid any possible conflicts, try to follow these general guidlines:

  • DO NOT play games during a lecture or during an important lesson. No matter how boring.
  • Use the calculator only when the instructor allows. If the instructor says no calculators, then put the calculator(s) away.
  • Spend more time taking notes by hand and listening to the instructor during lectures. If you use your calculator to take notes, then type them up after class. It can be a distraction to others if you are "flaunting" your calculator to take notes.
  • If you are in a class that doesn't require graphing calculators as part of the lesson, PUT IT AWAY!! Again, this can be a distraction for the user and the surrounding people.
  • If you must play games, play them when you have the time. If you have a test to study for, save the games for later. Wait until you have the time.
  • Graphing calculators are tools. Respect that, and if necessary, remove the games if they are getting to be too much of a distraction. Use the calculator for what it was intended.

  Reply to this item

Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
Drew Landsberg

Personally, I love playing games on calculators. I usually only play games very little and in classes where the teacher is not mean like my english teacher. The reason I am writing this post is because of games. I have a TI-83 and a graph link so I have many games on my hard drive and my calculator. Whenever I get a new game or something, some people always ask me for it. I am very fluent with the calculator so I think the next part is kind of funny. I dont do this anymore, but when I would give some people the games, they would ask me how to RUN the game. This is very sad and annoying. Half an hour later, they walk up to me saying that they accidentaly deleted the game so they ask for it again. One time a kid crashed his calculator blaming a (TI BASIC) game I gave him for the crash. For these reasons, I am not giving people games anymore.
-my $.02

Reply to this comment    5 March 1999, 02:45 GMT

Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
bob

Your crazy without games, why go to class?

Reply to this comment    5 March 1999, 03:42 GMT

Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
mad hatter

Mind your own business, anyone can decide for themselves their study habits and make the decision to do good in class or not. And anyone who says that teachers will start to crack down on calc nation wide is full of bull because each individual school is different. If others are distracted by games, then they must be total losers because they dont make sound or anything like that. GET OFF OUR BACKS ABOUT IT AND QUIT WASTING TICALCS SERVER SPACE.

yeah!

Reply to this comment    5 March 1999, 03:50 GMT

Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
Patrick Sweeney

1. Calculators are tools, and not designed for games? Let's see now, if I remember correctly the Z80 platform was extremly popular in the Tandy Color Computer Line, which was basically a cartridge based gaming system. The m68k was used in the Atari systems, and in early Mac computers. Yeah, those are game oriented too.
2. If you are bored in class, bring a book. THe calculator just wastes brain cells.
3. THis whole aurgument reminds me of the whole Walkman/Discman augument.
-Patrick

Reply to this comment    5 March 1999, 04:24 GMT

Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
John L.
(Web Page)

None of my teachers seem to have a problem with games. My algebra II & Trig. teacher saw me playing Zelda89 before class and he was amazed by the graphics, and over all quality of the game. That same math teacher trades games with students in his study hall!! One thing I don't like is that now I think every time he looks at me in class and I'm using my calculator he thinks I'm playing a game..which is not true. Occasionally I do play games when I should be studying for a test but, oh well, I deserve the grade I get then.
One more thing.. Personally I think that TI began to support assembly language programming because it got them sales. Without games on the calcs they sell, there's no way they'd be as popular as they are.
Well maybe one more thing. If anyone in here has taken the SAT test and has a TI-89 could you possibly email me. I would like to know if they let you use your calc, and what or if the check out the programs you have on it. Thanx

Reply to this comment    5 March 1999, 04:35 GMT


Re: Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
Derek

I have an 89, but i haven't taken the test yet, i will in march. I do know that they allow it to be used because right on the box it says "approved for the sat, but i would like to know if they clear your mem or anything.

Reply to this comment    8 March 1999, 02:22 GMT


Re: Re: Re: Article: Are They Necessary?
Earl  Account Info

They do, because when my brother had his 84+(SE) in school when he was taking a test, the teacher made him clear his ram, but he was smart enough to archive/group programmed shells and stuff like that. and that is a way to prevent that (and also use like pse or something so it looks like you are writing out calculations while highlighting and looking back at answers and when the chance is given to you do it. because the first day i brought my 84+ to school, my teacher (primarly math) was amazed and even though i have hade my 84 since dec 26 04 my mom still loves me playing calculator games and as far as My school/teachers go, I personally even ask my teacher of my past 6th grade year (now ended) my teacher and my best freind love calculator games.

Reply to this comment    21 June 2005, 11:11 GMT

Poor forum?
Phil Killewald
(Web Page)

Mayhaps it was a poor choice of forum to publish this article in. I my experience, nearly everyone who owns a TI-Graphing Calculator maintains a high GPA and does substantially well in math and science. I can only theororize on why this is. I've come up with this:

Face it, graphing calculators cost a ton of money. Unless the student who owns one is the type that gets everything they want (I'm not accusing anyone, and no offence is intended), then the person who baught the calculator must have an interest in securing their education.

The general oppinion of this forum would be that they should be allowed to play games because they do well in school. Perhaps you should have posted this article at TI in their newsletter (The on ethat goes out to teachers) and see your responces then.

-Phil K.
PaSTE

Reply to this comment    5 March 1999, 15:50 GMT


Re: Poor forum?
The Big 1

I disagree about the 'only spoiled rich kids get calcs' comment you made. It is true for lower grades, but not for higher ones. In my calculus class, a graphing calc is a REQUIREMENT (not just a suggested thing - a must have) Also, a new curriculum is in place that actually uses calcs (on the front of the text is an 83). Anyways, im rambling now...

Reply to this comment    6 March 1999, 07:52 GMT

Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
Phil

If a teacher askes you to put a calculator away, then do it. However, just saying that games should not be played in class is an opinion, one with which I disagree. I don't think listing your GPA or where you go to school makes anyone's opinion any more valid. You knew when you posted your opinion, especially on a site with a sizable portion of its files devoted to games, that your opinion would be shot down.

There is a time for games and a time for tools, but I don't think you should determine which is which. That should be up to the person who owns the calculator.

Reply to this comment    5 March 1999, 18:59 GMT

Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
AC

What Shane wrote was good advice, and the guidelines which he gave were just that, GUIDELINES. If someone decides to play games during class, they are hurting no one but theirselves. If you are sitting through a lecture that really does not require your attention, then there is no harm in flipping on the calculator and getting in a few games of tetris. It is the job of the STUDENT to put away the calculator if their grades begin to drop, not the professor.

Reply to this comment    5 March 1999, 22:19 GMT

Hum
homer
(Web Page)

What Shane Burgess looks like things that don't need to be said: of course, students should never use a calculator when the class doesn't require it, nor play at any time.
Why was this question actually asked? I think teachers and students are both aware of the problem, and should therefore know exactly what is to do.

Reply to this comment    5 March 1999, 23:54 GMT

Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
(KSA)Tekken

Well, for one I can tell your not a game programer, if you were you wouldn't be saying that... People don't need advise on when to use a calc, its commmon sense. Plus, if the person fails its their own fault... The teacher won't fail them just because they play games, its because they don't do their homework, pariticipate, do classwork , do well on tests or pay attention. Well thats my 2 cents.
(KSA)Tekken

Reply to this comment    6 March 1999, 00:01 GMT

Stop abusing calcs
teacher

Ok first I have to dissagree that calcs are "essential" for learning material. Beleave it or not there was a time not to long ago when there were no graphing calculators. I know some people who don't know how to do simple math (even simple graph plotting) with out there calc. I think students have become too dependent on there calcs to get them through math test ect.. There used to be a day when there were no graphing calcs to help with the SAT's. But now even with all the souped up calc the standards for the SAT's are much lower then when graphing calcs weren't allowed.

As for people justifying that oohh I got a 4.0 or a 105% in class so I can play games. Thats a bunch of bull $hit I don't care WTF your average is you are in class to learn. Beleave it or not even morons can get 4.0's. Some school have extreemly low standard on which they grade. Just because you have a 4.0 doesn't mean that you can't learn anything more because you know it all. Try being a student and take interest in what you are learning you may find out that it is more fun and interesting then playing calc games all the time.

Reply to this comment    6 March 1999, 05:36 GMT


Re: Stop abusing calcs
The Big One

Very well said!

Reply to this comment    6 March 1999, 07:54 GMT

America Poor at Math and Science
Dan Tinsley

First of all, let me warn you that this post is not explicitly about the current topic, but it does have to do with many of the inane comments which I have read so far. The United States has one of the worst, if not the worst, math and science curriculums out of all the industrial nations throughout the world, and you people are not helping this situation any. Instead of working your asses off to make yourselves better students and compensate for the country's inferior curriculum, you play calculator games during class and not only hurt yourselves, but the rest of the country as well. And as for you "geniuses" who claim you get these awesome grades, you're not off the hook. I don't disbelieve that you guys get good grades, but that's still not a valid excuse to play games during class, especially if you're in college. Everyone needs to put their best efforts forward to improve the image of the U.S. in terms of science and math knowledge. We are currently an embarrassment to the rest of the industrial world. Also, I don't claim myself to be a saint, either. I am just as guilty as the rest of you because I, too, play games during my college classes, but at least I have the maturity to admit my flaws, and not hide behind the shroud of a 4.0 GPA or anything like that. Finally, let me say that I realize that some of you are very intelligent and always put your best efforts into everything you do. You are the individuals that try to make this glorious country more respectable in comparison to the rest of the industrial world. I'm not writing to you guys. I'm writing to the rest of the lazy bastards who don't give a damn about their studies. You guys are a large part of the problem. In addition, the teachers also need to learn how to teach better, and some even need updated educations, but that's a totally different topic that I'd rather not go into right now. Feel free to comment on this and flame me to death. I don't give a damn. I just want you all to realize that our country is the laughing-stock of the rest of the civilized world in science and mathematics education. Thank you for your time.

Oh, yeah, I have one last comment. Concerning the topic of the article, I feel that calculators were made with one reason in mind, and one only: to aid in doing math--games are entirely secondary.

Have a nice night.

Reply to this comment    6 March 1999, 10:29 GMT


Re: America Poor at Math and Science
SPUI

And computers were also made for computations, so we shouldn't play computer games. And TVs were made for watching, not for video games. Whatever.

Reply to this comment    6 March 1999, 18:37 GMT


Re: Re: America Poor at Math and Science
Dan Tinsley

I never said that we shouldn't play video games on our calculators. I'm just making the point that instead of mainly using the calcs as gameboy wannabes, we should use them primarily for the main reason they were developed: as tools to aid in doing math. Personally, I love playing games on my TI-83 and TI-89, but I also use them frequently to help me understand the topics in my math courses. If you mainly want a great portable gaming machine, spend your money on a $65-$80 Gameboy Color, like I did, instead of a $90-$200 calculator. I think of the gaming capabilities of my two calculators as great fringe benefits to the superior math capabilities of my calcs and nothing else. As I wrote before, gaming is entirely secondary.

Reply to this comment    7 March 1999, 09:13 GMT

Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
Shane Burgess

I was wrong when I posted the article and wrote all of the stupid comments. I would like to apologize to all of the people I have offended. I must have been drunk or something. I have no problems with playing games in a boring class. Newer calculators were made for games as well as math. I was wrong and I am truly sorry.

Reply to this comment    6 March 1999, 20:39 GMT


Re: Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
Shane Burgess

Well, would the idiot that made this illegal post please come forward. Such use of someone's identity or impersonation thereof is against federal law. I would like to know who made this post because I didn't. Thank you.

Reply to this comment    9 March 1999, 19:54 GMT

Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
NINfdts

Your god is dead and no one cares.

Reply to this comment    7 March 1999, 01:13 GMT

1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  

You can change the number of comments per page in Account Preferences.

  Copyright © 1996-2012, the ticalc.org project. All rights reserved. | Contact Us | Disclaimer