Re: TIB: Calculator are good!

To: ti-basic@lists.ticalc.org
Subject: Re: TIB: Calculator are good!
From: Cliff320@aol.com
Date: Mon, 2 Nov 1998 16:51:34 EST
Delivered-To: ti-basic-outgoing@towerguard.unix.edu.sollentuna.se
Reply-To: ti-basic@lists.ticalc.org


In a message dated 98-11-01 22:31:26 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 >>


A couple of years ago, my grandparents sent me a 92.
I never learned how to factor, complete the square and other basic functions
because the calculator did them for me.  Then in Pre-Calculus, the teacher
banned 92's and i was basically screwed.  I had to do a lot of catching up,
which was not very fun, but i did learn everything.  Anyway the point is as
long the person understands the concept and how to do the problem by hand,
unless it says in the book you need a calculator, I have no problem whatsoever
with using calculators.
By the way, I sold my 92 and got an 86.