How about using this forum for an exchange?
My two Calculus I classes this quarter are composed of 50 students. It is our
policy (we are a college of engineering technology, AAS and BS degrees) that a
graphing calculator is a must and we do not restrict models. Our recommended
choice has been the TI-85. Two students have TI-92s and I allow them as I
would any other box.
Asking algebraically involved "find the first derivative" questions would
obviously put TI-92 owners at a big advantage so I do not ask them. I do want
to know if they know the nature of the derivative so related rates are still a
"go". Also, I gave them a matching test. Match the function in column I (here
I included actual screen dumps of TI-85 graphing windows) with the graph of its
derivative in column II. The students never see the functions algebraically.
(I used variations of f(x)=a*x^3+b*x where a and b were +/-1, for an example of
one set of four.)
OK, your turn. Let's start the conceptual questions rolling! ....
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* Lawrence Gilligan *
* Professor of Mathematics College of Applied Science *
* University of Cincinnati *
* 2220 Victory Parkway *
* Cincinnati, OH 45206 *
* *
* (513) 556-4868 *
* FAX (513) 556-5056 <--- NEW *
* Email: GILLIGAN@UC.EDU *
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