TIB: Calculator are good!

To: ti-basic@lists.ticalc.org
Subject: TIB: Calculator are good!
From: Randy Overbeek <ro@mindless.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Nov 1998 21:30:37 -0600 (CST)
Delivered-To: ti-basic-outgoing@towerguard.unix.edu.sollentuna.se
Reply-To: ti-basic@lists.ticalc.org


        What is all of this anti-calculator sentiment?  Isn't this a mailing
list for calculator enthusiests?
        I see calculator use in math class as very beneficial.  People talk
about how you shouldn't rely on calculators for math problems because it's
cheating and it doesn't allow you to understand the problems.  These people
are completely missing the point of such advanced tools.  They allow you to
explore topics more completely and much more efficiently without being
bogged down by tedios calculations.  I use calculations to mean anything you
can readily do.  Why waste time on things like multiplying, dividing,
solving equations, factoring or expanding polynomials, evaluating functions,
finding derivatives and integrals, graphing, and other such motions when you
could be delving into the heart of the problem and moving on.  Simply
knowing how to find and interpret the answers found on a calculator involves
a degree of comprehension.  I avidly encourage calculator use for any even
remotely advanced mathematics (algebra+).
        Now people are saying that games on a programmable calculator is a
travesty.  What is wrong with getting some enjoyment out of your machine.
If you made the game yourself it was probobly a worthwhile experience.  Even
if you didn't, most games develope reasoning skills, reflexes or strategy
that can be applied elsewhere.
        In my opinion, everything that can be done on a graphing calculator
should be, and to it's greatest extent.

        - Randy W. Overbeek     ro@mindless.com