Re: TIB: Calculator are good!

To: ti-basic@lists.ticalc.org
Subject: Re: TIB: Calculator are good!
From: The Garth Johnson <gbjohnson@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Nov 1998 20:41:48 -0800 (PST)
Delivered-To: ti-basic-outgoing@towerguard.unix.edu.sollentuna.se
Reply-To: ti-basic@lists.ticalc.org

---PJChaser@aol.com wrote:
>
> 
> In a message dated 98-11-01 22:31:25 EST, you write:
> 
> >         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
> The purpose in learning math is to be able to solve real problems,
most of
> which don't conform to the nice little equations in a calculator. 
The point
> in not using your calculator, then, is so that when you have an
abnormal
> calculation to do you can figure it out by relating it to similar
problems.
> Calculators can't do that.  And yes, it is fine to use calcs to do
math, but
> the important thing is to understand how to do the problem by hand
and how the
> calculator manages to do the problem.  For instance, how many people
on this
> list know how a ti-8X (except 89) comes up with solutions when using
the
> solve() function or the solver?  The 82,83,85,86 all use the same
method.  Can
> anyone besides me name it?
> Paul J Chase II
> 


newton's method.
==
  
  
The Garth Johnson

Visit my website!  http://www.bigfoot.com/~garthjohnson
                "Now with jokes for your mental enjoyment!"

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