Re: TI-85 graphing calculator
margaret williamson (williamm@MILWAUKEE.TEC.WI.US)
Sat, 11 May 1996 09:27:27 -0500
At 01:04 AM 5/7/96 EDT, you wrote:
>Forwarding a request from Nancy Sattler. Replies should be directed
>to Nancy at nsattler@terra.cc.oh.us
>
>Thanks
>
>Brian
>
>>--------------------------- Original Message ---------------------------
>I am hoping that I can enlist your help with a problem
>that has occurred at Terra.
>
>Terra is switching its math requirement from
>Tech Math I, II, and II and Data Math I and II
>to Intermediate Algebra I and II and an Intermediate
>Geometry/Trig course. For the past 2 or 3 years
>the TI-85 has been recommended in the Tech Math
>courses. The math department will now require the
>use of the TI-85 in the new courses. This is being
>met with resistance from the engineering department.
>The resistance is not the fact that the engineering
>students are no longer taking tech math but rather,
>that the students will be required to purchase a TI-85.
>
>There are two issues. One is affordability. The
>cost of a TI-85 is about $100. There is a question
>about whether or not students can afford this cost.
>Students on financial aid can use aid monies to
>purchase a TI-85, however, students not on financial
>aid may have a problem. Some colleges have set up a
>loan program to allieviate this problem. Are you aware
>of any existing programs?
>
>The other issue is: Do the students really need a
>graphing calculator? Won't a TI-30 do?
>
>I would appreciate your comments on these issues as soon as possible.
>
>If you could put this email out on your list serve I would very much appreciate
>it.
>
>Thank you.
>
>Nancy J. Sattler
>Terra Community College
>2830 Napoleon Road
>Fremont, OH 43420
>phone: 419-334-8400, ext. 179
>fax: 419-334-9414
>email: nsattler@terra.cc.oh.us
>
>We went through a similar problem at MATC a few years ago. We still
require Tech Math I and II for certain programs but allow College Algebra
and College Trig to substitute. We now require the TI82 minimum (I am going
to vote to change that to the TI85) for the college algebra, and this spring
semester the TI85 was required in the Tech Math II classes. We offer a loan
program for those who can't afford it which satisfied the question of
affordability. They pay $50 at the beginning of the semester, then get back
$15 at the end when they return it. Many students took advantage of it. We
got our original set of computers through a grant and also a program through
TI. Call them and find out. It worked great!! I cannot imagine teaching
either course without the graphing calculator -- it is so marvelous. The
TI30 serves a purpose but not for the applications and solving techniques
they can use. And programs can be written, etc, etc. Go for it!!
Peg Williamson
Liberal Arts & Sciences -- Math
E-Mail: williamm@milwaukee.tec.wi.us