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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?"
Dan E
(Web Page)

Well...That's all nice and everything, but whats the difference between playing a graphing calculator game, and doodling in your notebook. In both cases you're not listening to the lecture. In both cases, you're misusing the tool you were given. There will always be students who wont pay attention in class, and they will end up doing something else in class (whether it be doodling, calc games, or sleeping). As for the distraction bit, I haven't noticed the calculator games are distracting to other students. The only time during which I've noticed this is when the student making verbal remarks related to the game (Crap, I hate this level) or using some other form of communication (grumbling, waving arms, etc). Some teachers in my school follow this philosophy. They let students play calculator games (or doodle or sleep) if they wish to do so. However, it is many of these same students who end up failing the tests...

-Dan

Reply to this comment    4 March 1999, 02:10 GMT

Re: Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
Clovis Dye
(Web Page)

Hmmm, I am the second highest grade in our class, and I play games...... what's worse, I'm usually the only person to understand something he's saying and being able to play games at the same time....

Yes, I am one of those people who can carry on conversation, surf the ent, and watch a show all at once.... but that doesn't mean that becuase I can get away with it, all of you can...

P.S. What I hate is when my Parents blame poor spanish grades on the Calc, I don't even have it with me at Spnanish can't they just understand:

No me gusta la clase de espanol porque es aburrida y tonto?

Reply to this comment    6 March 1999, 00:46 GMT

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

I agree with everything you just said, especially about spanish class.

Reply to this comment    8 March 1999, 01:55 GMT

Re: Re: Re: Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
00geeky

Yeah...spanish class STINKS!!!

Reply to this comment    8 March 1999, 17:01 GMT

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
Niten  Account Info

Everything... stinks, huh?

If graphing calculators are so horrible, as you previously claimed, why did you sign up at ticalc.org in the first place?

Reply to this comment    10 March 2000, 21:44 GMT


Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
Shalupy  Account Info

You're damn right. I was forced to take spanish all through elementary and middle school. I HATE SPANISH!! SPANISH CAN GO TO HELL!!!

Reply to this comment    18 May 2000, 01:32 GMT


Re: Re: Re: Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
florian clavert

Your allright man,but I can't play games in spanish because my teacher is an old tart who is always watching what we are doing !!

Reply to this comment    8 March 1999, 20:53 GMT

Re: Re: Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
00geeky

Hmmmmm...not paying attention in class ...but getting good grades just for playing shit games on the calc ...LETS ADD 2 AND 2 TOGETHER! You have been cheating on major exams.

Reply to this comment    8 March 1999, 21:39 GMT


Re: Re: Re: Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
Clovis Dye
(Web Page)

No, I have not been cheating, as I already stated, I can do two things at once.....

Reply to this comment    8 March 1999, 22:19 GMT


Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
00geeky

JUST 'FESS UP!!!

Reply to this comment    9 March 1999, 13:27 GMT


Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
Clovis Dye
(Web Page)

I don't cheat, I am a genius with an IQ of 165, I repeat I don't cheat, there is nothing fore me to "FESS UP" about as you put it....

Reply to this comment    9 March 1999, 16:54 GMT

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
00geeky

Anyone who plays on calculators has an IQ of 10!!!

Reply to this comment    10 March 1999, 13:37 GMT

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
ducky0328  Account Info

Oh my god, Grow up.
At first I was reading this and you seemed like a nice guy with an opinion. But if he says he doesn't cheat, he probably doesn't!
Maybe you have an IQ of 10...

Reply to this comment    30 August 1999, 01:28 GMT

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
Ernie Dodds  Account Info

You sure you don't have that IQ? I don't know what my IQ is, don't really really care. I don't get A's, I haven't cheated on a test since 5th grade, and I don't play games on my calc during classes. The worst I've done is write them during class. Why would someone need to cheat if they can listen? I can often (when I get enough sleep :) ) listen and do somehting else at the same time. I sometimes get in trouble for it, but oh well...when I have an idea, I write it down, draw it, program it, whatever medium it needs, and anyone who says anything about it will just have to wait until it's done, if a teacher takes it, it's his/her loss, not mine, as I'm only going to start over again.
Several of my friends (who aren't lazy) get A's in math and sci classes and play games all through the class every day. I don't make As (though I could in math and sci) or play games in class, yet see nothing wrong with it, as long as you can put up with any consequences of it.

Yet out of class, what's wrong with them? Obviously, you don't mind being bored. I have a deathly fear of it. If I have to wait more than 10 or 15 minutes for something...I bring my calc, discman, or paper&pencil, else I go crazy.

Reply to this comment    26 September 1999, 03:33 GMT

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
Frank A. Nothaft  Account Info

That is still bigger than your IQ

Reply to this comment    16 August 2002, 01:22 GMT

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
Frank A. Nothaft  Account Info

So, anyone with an IQ of 10 can still carry on a better argument than you.

Reply to this comment    5 October 2002, 21:40 GMT


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

What are you? A two year old? I'm surprized your parents let you on the internet without adult supervision!

Reply to this comment    3 April 2004, 00:22 GMT


Multitasking
Jude M.  Account Info
(Web Page)

I concur with you, Clovis. Unfortunately, some people don't seem to grasp that some peopkle can just do it in academica. They believe hard work is absolutely necessary for sucess, because it's necessary for /them/. I have a philosophy similar to yours on the matter. (Btw, mine's 169. :-P )

Reply to this comment    1 August 2001, 08:54 GMT

Re: Multitasking
Ankur Dave Account Info

I concur as well. What did you get on the SAT? (I'm in 7th grade.)
1370 total, 730 verbal, only 640 math, but then it was never my strongest point...

Reply to this comment    29 October 2005, 05:16 GMT


Re: Multitasking
Ankur Dave Account Info

Oh oops, I shouldn't have posted. I didn;t notice the date: 1999 and 2000. Looks like I won't get any responses. Oh well, talking to the server again.

Reply to this comment    29 October 2005, 05:17 GMT

Re: Re: Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
Brent Jackson  Account Info

I totally agree with you. I have played calc games
for years, and have mantained a pretty good gpa.
(my hs gpa was a 3.4) and my college gpa so far
is a 3.2...and I play games in my math classes, and
in my chemistry class...not all the time, but when
I am bored.

As to all of you people who think that games are a sin,
get a life. What is wrong with games? Absolutely
nothing. When some one is sitting in a class and is
bored/already knows material/does not care let them
do what they want....if they can pass the class playing
games let them do it, the same thing goes for even
coming to class...if you can pass the class with out
coming more power to you. The world contains many
inteligent people who are capable of just this, why not
let them...IMHO anyways

Brent

Reply to this comment    21 August 1999, 06:48 GMT

Re: Re: Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
Richard Marinos

Si, la clase de espanol es para pindejos y jotos.(spelling?)

Reply to this comment    3 October 1999, 06:05 GMT


Re: Re: Re: Article: Are They Necessary?
mitch Ingram Account Info

El clase de espanol no es muy interesante pero es necicita. Yo no puedo usar el calcuadora, pero yo jugo videojuegos en el clase. Yo tengo 103% es mas alto de todo el clase, pero la chica soa de mexico tengo 106%.

Reply to this comment    14 November 2004, 01:25 GMT


Re: Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
Alex (alias: double "0" geeky)

I cannot agree any more!!!!!! Games are a terrible waste of resources (TI calcs) and memory (on the TI calcs).

gootta go.....

Reply to this comment    6 March 1999, 23:41 GMT


Re: Re: Re: Article: "Are They Necessary?"
Niten  Account Info

How can you possibly support this claim? You can't say that these people are wasting resources by putting games on their calcs - such use of these machines cannot possibly be detrimental to you in any way. It's their money, sheesh... they have the right to do whatever they want with it, despite what anyone else might have to say.

Reply to this comment    10 March 2000, 21:54 GMT

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