This Book is Downright Terrible
I have literally not gotten one single answer out of this book. It is a dark unholy thing...just lurching into the night. Even the index is terrible in that it is extremely limited. There is not even an entry on how to use logorithmic functions. I have literally had way better luck pressing buttons in all kinds of combinations to slowly figure out how to use my graphing calculator. Even the manual that came with the unit is way better than this book.
If you buy this rotten book, then plan to take up smoking. You will need to because it is extraordinarily stressful to try and find a single answer to anything out of this rotten text.
"This Calculator Changes Everything!"
I have taught Physics for a number of years, and with all of the advances in computer and calculator based labs, I have begrudgingly wadded into the pool of new technology in the science classroom. I have had considerable problems with students using "canned programs" and fancy probes and sensors. I have always felt that we are simply training monkeys, and not educating.
However, what I have failed to understand, is that the "calculator standard", for which it seems that most secondary and post-secondary institutions are at the cutting edge, will likely be the TI 83/84. Even newer models still follow the basic calculator organization, and only improve upon, or add features. In many ways, this entire organization of the calculator could be as everyday later as the Square Root key on my old calculator.
With this in mind, it is now a reality that students can use the multi-functionality of this type of calculator in a manner that might be completely different than most numerical based subject teachers are aware. I think that its proper use is exceptionally good at efficiently providing "brute force" solutions to numerically based problems.
I felt that I had to add the above, more philosophical view of education before I began with the text review.
While Texas Instruments does produce a considerable amount of support material, it is not organized in this particular way, nor written with the light language that makes study, and reflective reading, a joy. The author has done a very good job at making this model or class of calculator, very easy to use, and I think that with this rather trivial investment in money, was a big time saver for me on my road to using this extraordinary piece of technology available to my students.
I will of course further my research into the graphing calculator, and would like to know if someone finds a similar book at the intermediate or advanced level. BUT, if you are looking at this particular type of calculator for the first time, and YOU VALUE YOUR TIME, you want to buy this book. It gets you off and working quickly.
Lacking
This book is seriously lacking in information. If you need a guide to help you in actually accomplishing something, choose a different book.
You gotta get this book
Purchased this book that was recommended when I was shopping for a TI-84 Plus Silver Edition Graphing Calculator (that replaced a ten-plus-year-old TI-82) during the holidays for my high school sophomore daughter. While I was reading the book at the airport to understand this calculator, I taught daughter something new, and she has raved about both ever since. Calculator was recommended by her math teacher.
Good book
Dont waste your time or money if you have'nt read the other books, book realy did not tell me anything that was helpful in the use of the calculator.
(12 reviews)
