Big Surprise

[Travis Bower]

I received this email.....

TI will introduce something really exciting at the 2011 T³ International Conference. Make sure to attend and be one of the first to see it. San Antonio is not far, but time is short. Register now and see what’s new and exciting from TI at the conference. And get ready for a real surprise.

 

If you know, do not blurt it out, class. LOL

For those of us who do not know, let's play a guessing game!

What would be a cool surprise for you?

software? hardware? project? funding? etc?

 

Y'all have fun and post when they reveal!

 

[lee kucera]

You didn't post what would be a big surprise for you, Travis. We're waiting...
lk

lee kucera
a.p. statistics
leek...@gmail.com

[Scott Lockhart]

I wish it had been Nspire software for Android-based phones.

Sent from my Droid X.

On Feb 17, 2011 12:52 PM, "Travis Bower" <tbo...@dphs.org> wrote:
> I received this email.....

> *TI will introduce something really exciting at the 2011 T³ International

> Conference. Make sure to attend and be one of the first to see it. San
> Antonio is not far, but time is short. Register now and see what’s new and

> exciting from TI at the conference. And get ready for a real surprise.*

>
> If you know, do not blurt it out, class. LOL
> For those of us who do not know, let's play a guessing game!
> What would be a cool surprise for you?
> software? hardware? project? funding? etc?
>
> Y'all have fun and post when they reveal!
>

> --
> To post to this group, send email to tins...@googlegroups.com
> To unsubscribe send email to tinspire+u...@googlegroups.com
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com.au/group/tinspire?hl=en-GB?hl=en-GB
> The tns documents shared by group members are archived at
> http://lafacroft.com/archive/nspire.php

[lee kucera]

I want Nspire software for my iPad (and iPhone) but especially my iPad.

lk

[Travis Bower]

I knew if I just waited, you would answer for me--   ;^) wink
look at the time stamp!

[Joe]

Is it the new cas model that has an optional plug in qwerty keyboard,
bright backlight high def color screen, built in voice recognition,
the improved cas that can do all the math functons that the Hp and
Casio cas's can do, and in addition does 3D graphing of multiple
surfaces that can be rotated shifted and zoomed, and has wi-fi printer
capability along with an optional plug in cell phone module, front and
rear cameras, and there is an optional SDK kit available for free that
compiles C or Assembly language into nspire code and the whole thing
is priced at just $79.95? Is that it????? BTW when is the 2011 T^3
international Conference? And will it be in an area where I can camp
out over night in order to be in the front of the line and be one of
the first people where I work to have one of these amazing new
devices?

On Feb 17, 12:52 pm, Travis Bower <tbo...@dphs.org> wrote:
> I received this email.....

> *TI will introduce something really exciting at the 2011 T³ International

> Conference. Make sure to attend and be one of the first to see it. San
> Antonio is not far, but time is short. Register now and see what’s new and

> exciting from TI at the conference. And get ready for a real surprise.*

[hastern]

I think the new OS is going to include a ham radio transceiver (but
Morse code only, so as not to interfere with state testing
restrictions).

> > Y'all have fun and post when they reveal!- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[AdRiWeB]

They are basically going to announce the new Vernier device that will
be compatible with the Ti-Nspire
They will also announce the Nspire OS 3.0 (requiered for the Vernier
device)

what else.... Who knows...? Mayer a brand new calculator that could
compete with the Casio Prizm ?


PS: the OS 3.0 should be released before [mid-]April

[Joe]

Yeh, that is probably it. It would be appropriate for them to use a
bright color screen but maybe with better definition and longer
battery life. Makes sense.

[hastern]

The Vernier cradle isn't a new announcement -- it's already published
in catalogs.
But, there have been FCC filings for a wifi device with an intriguing
name -- the TI CX Navigator.
https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout=500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=336646&fcc_id=%27V7R-TINAVWNA%27

> > PS: the OS 3.0 should be released before [mid-]April- Hide quoted text -

[Travis Bower]

CX?  that is funny!  reminiscent of the integral of e to the x

[Xavier Andréani]

> But, there have been FCC filings for a wifi device with an intriguing
> name -- the TI CX Navigator.
> https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout=500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=336646&fcc_id=%27V7R-TINAVWNA%27

Which is meaning much more: new TI-Nspire CX calculators.
With an optional WiFi module, a blacklit color screen, and 3D functions as reported on TI-Bank:

> Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2011 04:48:24 -0800
> Subject: [tinspire] Re: Big Surprise
> From: has...@gmail.com
> To: tins...@googlegroups.com

[Xavier Andréani]

>> But, there have been FCC filings for a wifi device with an intriguing
>> name -- the TI CX Navigator.
>> https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout=500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=336646&fcc_id=%27V7R-TINAVWNA%27

>Which is meaning much more: new TI-Nspire CX calculators.
>With an optional WiFi module, a blacklit color screen, and 3D functions as reported on TI-Bank:

Sorry, I forgot the link.
http://ti.bank.free.fr/index.php?mod=news&ac=commentaires&id=961

---

From: andr...@hotmail.com
To: tins...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: [tinspire] Re: Big Surprise
Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2011 22:30:51 +0000

[Xavier Andréani]

First TI-Nspire CX photos uploaded to TI-Bank!


Basic TI-Nspire CX -> http://ti.bank.free.fr/index.php?mod=news&ac=commentaires&id=966

TI-Nspire CX CAS -> http://ti.bank.free.fr/index.php?mod=news&ac=commentaires&id=965

TI-Nspire CX Docking Station + TI-Nspire CX top connectors -> http://ti.bank.free.fr/index.php?mod=news&ac=commentaires&id=967


Have fun!

---

From: andr...@hotmail.com
To: tins...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: [tinspire] Re: Big Surprise

Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2011 22:40:32 +0000

[Travis Bower]

How does one translate the site?

 je ne parlais francais, lo siento ;^)

[Lana Golembeski]

Je parles francais! I could read a lot of the site but not all

Sent from my iPhone

Lana

[Xavier Andréani]

You can try a Google-translation:
http://translate.google.fr/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fti.bank.free.fr%2F&sl=fr&tl=en&hl=fr&ie=UTF-8

---

From: tbo...@dphs.org
Date: Sun, 20 Feb 2011 13:13:43 -0800
Subject: Re: [tinspire] Re: Big Surprise
To: tins...@googlegroups.com

[Travis Bower]

it's a fun game to follow the hype...I could not find it on Underwood

http://underwooddistributing.com/shop/

as mentioned on TI Banc

Does the screen look a little smaller?

....the rapidly changing world of technology!  pros and cons.  I will console myself with the hope that the software will remain for awhile.  Fortunately the underlying math is stable [but then again maybe one you can give us a good Russell or G odel quote]

[lee kucera]

I just did a Google search and came up with the following (it's in English for those of us that are language-challenged):

http://www.omnimaga.org/index.php?topic=6671.0

lk

[lee kucera]

And presumably you've all seen the new wi-fi adaptors:
http://www.ubergizmo.com/2011/01/texas-instruments-brings-wifi-to-ti-nspire-calculators/

No such thing as a surprise anymore...

[John Hanna]

How about a Bert Waits quote: “Technology always wins.”

 

John Hanna

jeh...@optonline.net

www.johnhanna.us

T³ - Teachers Teaching with Technology

"A cowchip is paradise to a fly."

 

---

[Joe]

There are a lot of posts at the Omnimagna site to the extent that the
surprize is the nspire CX with a wifi plug-in for teaching and it has
a color screen and 3D graphing. If that is correct, it wouldn't be
much of an offering over the present nspire cas, just a new screen and
the inclusion of TI-89/voyage graphing capability. If there isn't
more to it than that, I think it will be pretty hard to justify the
expense.

On Feb 17, 12:52 pm, Travis Bower <tbo...@dphs.org> wrote:
> I received this email.....

> *TI will introduce something really exciting at the 2011 T³ International

> Conference. Make sure to attend and be one of the first to see it. San
> Antonio is not far, but time is short. Register now and see what’s new and

> exciting from TI at the conference. And get ready for a real surprise.*

[Eric Findlay]

I find it interesting that you would say that, as it's a majority of the things you've been asking for, is it not?

--Eric

[Travis Bower]

oh, eric, don't take the bait...don't grab the ears of a stray dog Prov.26:17

[Joe]

Hi Eric,
I have no interest in the Wi-Fi, but if the CX has 3D graphing of
multiple surfaces that can be rotated shifted and zoomed AND has the
missing math capability that competing calculators have such as
Laplace and inverse Laplace transform capability, I will buy it in a
heart beat! Let me say that again, if it has the missing math
functions that the 50g and Classpad have, and in addition has better
3D graphing, i.e., it can graph multiple surfaces, and rotate, shift,
and zoom them, then in my opinion it will be the best cas calc on the
market and, I will buy it and recommend it. On the other hand if
"all" we are talking about is the same 3d graphing capability that the
TI-89 and Voyage have, I would find that very dissappointing because I
already have that capability. Let me put it this way, I have the
money to spend and if TI or any other calculator company wants to sell
me a new calculator, then their product has to be as good as the
competition and offer more than that. In that regard I am speaking of
math capability, not fluff.

In my previous post, what I was suggesting is that for people such as
yourself and Travis, spending $150 or so on a new nspire, essentually
just to get the color screen, will be pretty hard to justify. Am I
wrong about that?

> >http://lafacroft.com/archive/nspire.php- Hide quoted text -

[Eric Findlay]

No, you are ring about that. I thought you meant for yourself. While I'd love a CX, I can't justify buying one for just those additions. I wonder if they'll do another exchange program. Maybe that's the surprise.

--Eric

[Daniel Tran]

some pictures here
http://www.casiocalc.org/?showtopic=5504

> > >http://lafacroft.com/archive/nspire.php-Hide quoted text -

[Xavier Andréani]

For those who want images, you can get the original not scaled down CX images, by clicking on the images in the following news:
http://ti.bank.free.fr/index.php?mod=news&ac=commentaires&id=965
http://ti.bank.free.fr/index.php?mod=news&ac=commentaires&id=966
http://ti.bank.free.fr/index.php?mod=news&ac=commentaires&id=967

> Subject: Re: [tinspire] Re: Big Surprise

> From: eagl...@duetsoftware.net
> Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:48:30 -0800
> To: tins...@googlegroups.com

[Bikash Jain]

Images (CX) is indeed lovly... Desperate to have one in hand...

Any way do we have English version of Text available on that site....or English counterpart site...

Thanks & regards,

Bikash Jain
+91-9999009564

"Save paper, Save tree, Save life"

________________________________________________________________
Sent via the WebMail system at learninglinksindia.org

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[Joe]

It is is thursday evening February 24th and the TI web site has
tinspire cx info on it. Check it out at:
http://education.ti.com/calculators/products/US/Nspire-Family/
If anyone reading this is going to be at the Austin nspire meeting
please try to find out if the 3d graphing on the nspire cas cx can
plot more than one surface or is in any way an improvement over the
TI-89 3D graphing capability. Thank you.

[pal...@cogeco.ca]

> Yes, it does.

Paul

[Andy Kemp]

Multiple surfaces, which can be rotated...

Sent from my iPhone

[Sean Bird]

Here is another pic.  Yes, multiple 3D graphs that are easy to rotate and zoom look really good in color. Also the interface for differential equation slope fields is intuitive and so much faster and more powerful than the 89. Images are fun too.

[Joe]

Sounds good. Got any idea of what the price and availability will
be? I just checked Amazon.com which is where I usuallty buy my calc's
and they don't have it available yet.

>  DSCN3938.JPG
> 2320KViewDownload

[Travis Bower]

about the same price 130~

underwood distributors

[Lana Golembeski]

Calculators inc is also very competitive- less than $130

Sent from my iPhone

Lana

[DBeth]

Will the 3D graphing capabilities be available in the OS 3.0 update to
the "old" nspires? I'm really REALLY tempted to pick up a CX to be MY
class calculator, but if it doesn't interface nicely with my existing
Navigator setup, it may have to wait.

[Joe]

I just got off the phone with Underwood Distributors. I tried to
order the ti-nspire CX CAS and they don't have any. In fact they said
TI isn't taking orders yet and the CX models won't be available till
April. Did you guys in Austin actually see an operational nspire CX
CAS or just a mock up, or just pictures and slides?

[Jessica Kachur]

First, we are in san antonio, and yes the cx's wont be on the market for another month or so. 

 

Yes we did see actual units, they are preproduction units and in very limited supply only available for use is a few sessions at the conference

 

They are very very cool and there are a lot of new functions that the calc will do that werent there before....

 

a few I saw at a quick glance on the CAS, completing the square command, trig expand and collect commands, etc
 

Jess Kachur
Mathematics Teacher
Springfield High School, Springfield, Illinois
T3 Regional Instructor
Muka, CGC, TDI, Retired, CL2, CL3-F, CL3-S, CL3-H, TN-O, WV-N
and
Jibay, Sandy Acres lil' Phantom, NA, CGC, CL4, CL4-F, CL4-S, CL4-H

---

From: Joe <wjb...@yahoo.com>
To: tinspire <tins...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Fri, February 25, 2011 1:28:52 PM

Subject: [tinspire] Re: Big Surprise

--
To post to this group, send email to tins...@googlegroups.com

To unsubscribe send email to tinspire+unsub...@googlegroups.com

[DBeth]

looking on the website, it looks like 3D graphing will be in as well
on the "old" nspires, as long as you update to 3.0.

Looks to be an exciting time!!

> To unsubscribe send email to tinspire+u...@googlegroups.com
> For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com.au/group/tinspire?hl=en-GB?hl=en-GB

[DBeth]

One more thing....

Looks like Navigator will now become Mac-compatibile!!!! Finally!!
It was the only piece of software that was keeping me on the Windows
side of our iMacs at school!

[Ross]

Is the new version of the TE software out? I just tried to update, but
my software says that it already is updated to the latest version...
I'm really looking forward to this update, especially because it is by
far the biggest update I've seen from TI. Color screen, 3d graphing
and differential graphing!

[Andy Kemp]

No the new features are all being demo'ed but not released at T3 this year.  The versions we have been shown are still in final beta testing...

We were told to expect upgrades for software/handhelds in late march and CX handhelds in late Spring...

[Daniel Tran]

the new os hammering the last nail on the ti-89s' coffine

[Joe]

The cx cas sounds like exactly what I am after, so waiting another
month or so isn't a problem. Are there any new functions for
differential equations? Like slope field plots, Runge-Kutta plots
etc? How are people reacting to the color screen? Is it clear and
bright and crisp sort of like a laptop screen or a cell phone?

[Joe]

Is there a comprehensive list of the new CX features available
somewhere? The stuff I found on the ti site was brief and didn't have
much in the way of details.

[Eric Findlay]

The most comprehensive list at the moment seems to be the computer software release notes PDF on the TI site you linked earlier. There aren't a lot of additions, but they are major additions.

I'm quite excited about the new additions. Does anyone know if the new smartview software will allow control via calculator like the 84 version?

-- Eric

[Don Shepherd]

The release notes don't mention any new programming commands to go
along with the new color screen, which I guess is not surprizing since
the old programming commands did not support graphic output, as far as
I can tell. I believe that the Casio Prizm's programming reportoire
was expanded to support color on that machine.

It would sure be nice if TI-BASIC would support the ability to write
programs to take advantage of this fabulous color screen.

> >>>http://lafacroft.com/archive/nspire.php-Hide quoted text -

[Joe]

Yes, a good question is what impact will OS 3.0 have on third party
programing as well? More specifically, will OS 3.0 defeat Ndless
again? If so, I suspect that a lot (if not a majority) of programers
will switch to the Prizm. The question then is will the students
ignore the nspire and buy the Prizm in order to have the games, and if
so, can teachers ban the Prizm, which is qualified for the major
tests, in order to keep games out of the classroom? What a mess that
will be.

> > >>>http://lafacroft.com/archive/nspire.php-Hidequoted text -

>
> > >> - Show quoted text -
>
> > > --
> > > To post to this group, send email to tins...@googlegroups.com
> > > To unsubscribe send email to tinspire+u...@googlegroups.com
> > > For more options, visit this group at
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> > > The tns documents shared by group members are archived at
> > >http://lafacroft.com/archive/nspire.php-Hide quoted text -
>

> > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

[Bikash Jain]

Don't they release Beta version...as Microsoft does... ?
With regards,

Bikash Jain

-original message-
Subject: Re: [tinspire] Re: Big Surprise

From: Andy Kemp <an...@kemp.co>
Date: 26/02/2011 5:09 AM

No the new features are all being demo'ed but not released at T3 this year.
The versions we have been shown are still in final beta testing...

We were told to expect upgrades for software/handhelds in late march and CX
handhelds in late Spring...

**********************************************************************

[Don Shepherd]

Kids are not going to buy the NSpire or Prizm for games; Nintendo and
Sony already own that market. Kids are going to buy the NSpire CX for
serious math study, and the Prizm is now a non-starter.

> > > >>>http://lafacroft.com/archive/nspire.php-Hidequotedtext -

>
> > > >> - Show quoted text -
>
> > > > --
> > > > To post to this group, send email to tins...@googlegroups.com
> > > > To unsubscribe send email to tinspire+u...@googlegroups.com
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> > > >http://lafacroft.com/archive/nspire.php-Hidequoted text -
>

[Nelson Sousa]

I never saw TI releasing public betas.

--
Nelson

[Nelson Sousa]

Actually, games drive the market more than one might expect. Which puzzles me a bit, we have pc games, playstation and xbox games, cellular phone games, ipad games, plus graphing calculator games... Too many games.

--
Nelson

[Don Shepherd]

So many electronic games today simply reward the ability to push a
button at precisely the correct instant, rather than requiring real
thinking. I think most games today are just somewhat entertaining
alternatives to doing real work (by adults as well as students), and
we ought to encourage our students to participate in games that
require real thinking.

I have developed games for programmable calculators (primarily HP, but
one or two on the NSpire now that it has program input features) that
require thought, and I have used these with my students and tutorees.
The "find the path" game is somewhat like battleship in that you guess
the coordinates of a secret path across a grid, but you use the
feedback you get to intelligently make your next guess. And in the
"fifty game", players take turns choosing numbers from 1 to 6, and the
person to hit exactly 50 is the winner. Kids are usually able to
figure out the winning strategy (and there is one) of this game after
a while. I introduce the game by taping a dollar bill above the
blackboard (or white board now, my school having only last week
converted from the old blackboards) and offering it as a prize to
anyone who can beat me at the fifty game. There is nothing like money
to motivate a kid. I translated the game to a programmable calculator
(like the NSpire or TI-83) and then the kids try to beat the
calculator.

I believe those types of "games" are worthwhile. I have no use for
"Doom".

On Feb 26, 9:05 am, Nelson Sousa <nso...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Actually, games drive the market more than one might expect. Which puzzles me a bit, we have pc games, playstation and xbox games, cellular phone games, ipad games, plus graphing calculator games... Too many games.
>
> --
> Nelson
>

> >>>> - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
>
> >>> - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
>
> >> - Show quoted text -
>
> > --
> > To post to this group, send email to tins...@googlegroups.com
> > To unsubscribe send email to tinspire+u...@googlegroups.com
> > For more options, visit this group at
> >http://groups.google.com.au/group/tinspire?hl=en-GB?hl=en-GB
> > The tns documents shared by group members are archived at

> >http://lafacroft.com/archive/nspire.php- Hide quoted text -

[Norma Kronenberg]

Don,

Have you uploaded your games anywhere?

[Travis Bower]

Games...I think 'rapid fire' games are a waste of time and button life....to play!  But I like the idea of creating games.

I thought PuzzlePack had its appropriate use.  I consider it like dessert--eat your main meal first and then have a modest treat.  I personally do not write game code, but admire those who do.

I would love to see more games that can exploit the Nspire medium in a brain-enhancing manner.  Let's get students to think and maybe in some novel ways.

A former student wrote Slippy for the 82 years ago.  I was impressed.

It seems like one of us could write some engaging 'interactive activities' that have a 'fun' component.

On another note...I like the 'recent' menu command--I remember the games that had the 'teacher button' and no history trail with, say, Mirage.  It is helpful to know what has engrossed a student during class time.

I would be delighted for someone to resurrect GreenGlobs--and they could actually be green now!

Anyway, who wants to make a go of it?  

On Sat, Feb 26, 2011 at 7:30 AM, Norma Kronenberg <norma...@gmail.com> wrote:

Don,

Have you uploaded your games anywhere?

[Don Shepherd]

I would be glad to upload the .tns file for the fifty game on the
NSpire if someone can show me how to do it (I know things have changed
here recently).

Here is the code for the fifty game that works on the TI-83 plus:

ClrHome
Disp "WELCOME TO FIFTY"
0->S:"123456"->Str1
Lbl 1
Input "ENTER 1-6 ",A
If A<1 or A>6
Goto 1
S+A->S
If S=50
Then
Disp "YOU WIN"
Stop
End
If S>50
Then
Disp "YOU'RE A MORON"
Stop
End
fPart((S-1)/7)*7->A
iPart(A+.5)->A
If A=0
Then
randInt(1,6)->B
Else
7-A->B
End
S+B->S
Disp "I CHOOSE "+sub(Str1,B,1)+" SCORE",S
If S=50
Then
Disp "YOU LOSE"
Stop
End
Goto 1

[lee kucera]

Yes. The old cradles will work with the new hsndhelds. The new CX wifi
hats only work with the CX models.

On Saturday, February 26, 2011, Norma Kronenberg <norma...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Don,
> Have you uploaded your games anywhere?
>
>
>
>
>

> --
> To post to this group, send email to tins...@googlegroups.com
> To unsubscribe send email to tinspire+u...@googlegroups.com
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com.au/group/tinspire?hl=en-GB?hl=en-GB
> The tns documents shared by group members are archived at
> http://lafacroft.com/archive/nspire.php

--
lee kucera
laguna beach, ca

[Joe]

Don,
I totally agree with your assessment of the value of electronic games,
however the kids are what they are, and they are only going to do what
they decide to do, and only rarely can you change that. BTW, over the
years I have found a direct correlation between their behavior and
what their parents require of them, and also what was required of them
during their K-12 years. In fact they come to college and usually
repeat the same behavior that they used in high school and expect the
same results. Then the poor students, which is well over half, are
shocked and angry to learn that the way they did things in high school
and got by, doesn't work in college. In college they actually have to
learn the material and prove that they know the material by passing
the tests or they get an F for the course.

Out of ignorance, some students will even go so far as to flunk a
course in their effort to prove to you that you can not require them
to do the work. When I announce to them near the end of the semester
that their grades are so poor that even if they got straight A's on
the remaining tests they still can not pass, they whine, complain that
it is not their fault, give outrageous excuses, claim that it is my
fault, and demand that that they be allowed to do something to pass
the course. I explain that if they need the math credit they will
have to take the course over again, and like the spoiled brats that
they are, they get very angry. Why these people are in college is
beyond me.

Our culture has changed and today most children here in the U.S. are
raised by two working parents who didn't have or take the time to
disipline them and teach them to be responsible mature adults and it
doesn't help any that much of their waking hours are spend in schools
that pass them to get rid of them and require little or nothing from
them. Clearly over half of the students that I get are just plain
"spoiled." They are used to spending all day in high school figureing
out ways to scam the system and do little or no work, and it is
getting worse. When I get them and I am supposed to teach them math.
Well, some are willing to put out the effort and do the work and learn
the material and they do well, but for the rest, all I can do is
teach them why they should have done the work, and learned the
material. They get what they earn, an F.

Having laid the ground work, now I can get to the point I want to
make. In the U.S., given the choice between buying a Prizm and having
games to play in school, or buying the NSpire CX for serious math
study, clearly most high school students will very definitely choose
the calculator that offers games. Thats just the way it is.

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[Lana Golembeski]

I teach high school so I know what you are talking about. I warn them that colleges expect you to do the work. I have an administration that will let no student fail. So we teachers are really stuck in the middle. It is pushing me to retirement sooner than I wanted. What to do?

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Lana

[Don Shepherd]

Good points, Lana and Joe.

I taught computer science at the community college a few years ago and
I found that most of those students did want to better their position
in life and they did the work required in the course (they were not
recent HS graduates but were in the workforce). But there were a few
goldbricks.

I spent an eye-opening year teaching middle school math in the public
schools. Most of the students were willing to do most of the work,
but many were not. You couldn't fail all of them that deserved it
because the principal wouldn't let you. And I had the misfortune to
work under an incompetent and corrupt principal who failed me in my
end-of-year evaluation. I appealed through the state licensing board
who asked her to send them evidence of what I did or did not do. She
didn't send them anything and all she got was a slap on the wrist
(="retraining"), while I did not get certification. So now I
volunteer-teach at a private boarding school for disadvantaged black
kids where I can pretty much teach what I know the kids need to know,
rather than box-and-whiskers crap, and if a kid gives me lip he spends
the afternoon picking up dog turds on the school grounds.

Our public education system needs a revolution, but it is unlikely to
happen in my lifetime I'm afraid.

Don

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[Joe]

Yes, I agree Don, we have some evening classes and that situation is
totally diffierent. People who work all day and then go to night
school to get an education and a better job are serious mature
students who want to learn. It is a totally different situation.
It's the majority of the kids fresh out of high school that I was
referring to. Clearly they don't want to get a better job. In fact
most of them have never had a job, don't want one and there isn't any
way to improve thier life because mommy and daddy give them a place to
live, food to eat, money to spend, pay their college bills, and
require nothing from them. Those kids aren't in college to get an
education they are there for the social life.

To get back on topic, the color screen pictures that I have seen of
the CX on the TI site are bright, clear, and crisp. Is it really that
good? Could someone who has actually seen the CX screen please
characterize it for us? Are the colors really bright and the letters
clear and easy to read with contrast control that makes the screen
easy to read in low light as well is industrial lighting? How does it
compare to the nspire gray scale screen which some people have trouble
reading?

[Joe]

Lana, you have to quit teaching public high school. It's a system
that has failed the teacher as well as the student and it keeps
getting worse. The only solution is competition. Competition would
give the better students and better teachers better schools to teach
in and learn in, but the departments of education on the local, state
and national level are not going to let that happen. The people in
charge have an easy job, don't really do much, and get paid quite
well, so naturally they will vigorously fight any change to the
system.

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[Lana Golembeski]

Oh they have had jobs. But everything has been given to them and they believe that will continue forever. They expect people to just give them a great job. And mommy and daddy blame everyone but their child if their child fails. At least that is the way it is at my school. And the principal supports the parents-not the teachers. He tells us that if a student didn't learn the material then the teacher didn't teach it. Time for him to get back in the classroom!

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Lana

[Lana Golembeski]

So true! But I only have 3 years left. I just have to tough it out. And it's so dad because I live to teach. It has always been my passion. I know I have made a difference but I also haven treated so poorly and disrespectfully . Those who open their eyes and see me can see where my heart is and they let me help them reach their full potential. What a rewarding experience! But I m getting weary! I might have to start my own school. Anyone care to join me??

Sent from my iPhone
Lana