Graphing calculators?

[Perry]

When do public schools introduce the graphing calculator? I'm going to use Foerster's for Algebra I next year and wonder if I need to have them learn to use one. Is there any reason to use it before calculus? They came after my time, so I don't know what they're useful for.

[Jann in TX]

HOWEVER, they do not use the 'graphing' part... we did not purchase one for our middle dd who attends PS.


Many public and private schools start their students off with graphing calculators in Algebra 1 because graphing calculators are MUCH more complicated that regular 'scientific' ones. The manuals are HUGE...

In Algebra 1 students learn how to key in basic calculations. In Algebra 2 the students might use their graphing calculators to graph functions--a pretty nifty thing to do. In Geometry graphing calculators are helpful with coordinate Geometry...

The real value of Graphing calculators comes in Pre-Calc. They are WONDERFUL for the Trigonometry part!

I think a student who starts to use a graphing calculator the first day of a calculus course is at a serious disadvantage. You just can't pick one up and start using it.

If PS teachers waited until Pre-Calc to introduce the graphing calculator they would waste too much time teaching the students how to key things in...the 'gradual' introduction method saves much needed class time.

I have a dd in PS. I did NOT purchase a graphing calculator for her--because her teachers all have a class set...they rarely used them for anything other than basic calculations and her TI-35-XIIS was great for those (and it only cost $15). The TI-35-XIIS is a step below the graphing calculators. It shows the actual problem being typed in--instead of just the answers--and many of the key properties are the same as those on the TI-84 graphing calculators.

[AngieW in Texas]

Unfortunately, my oldest dd was in ps for Algebra I and instead of teaching algebra, they taught "how to use a graphing calculator". She didn't know how to graph something as simple as y=x after finishing Algebra I with an A. When she returned to hsing the next schoolyear, I had her do Jacobs Algebra (since she'd never actually learned algebra). We don't have a graphing calculator yet. I plan to get one for either Algebra II or Precalculus.

[Perry]

Thanks, that's helpful. So if the algebra curriculum I'm planning to use doesn't have any instruction on graphing calculators, should I just start using one alongside the curriculum? I'm fairly techno-inclined, so I think I can teach myself to use one without much trouble, but I'm afraid I won't be taking advantage of it's full potential. Any suggestions on how to best integrate it into the curriculum? Or is it important enough to change my plans to using something that incorporates it into the curriculum? I plan to send my kids to ps in 9th grade, and want them to be prepared.

[Jann in TX]

I really do not suggest purchasing a graphing calculator until Algebra 2. Like I said in my previous post--I 'rebelled' and did not purchase a graphing calculator for dd--and she NEVER really needed one. I will get one this fall when she starts Algebra 2--I KNOW she will need one then (I sub for the high school math teachers).

[Rhonda in TX]

I got all the way through college, majoring in math, without a graphing calculator. I did use mine for sine, cosine, and tangent, but that's the most sophisticated thing I remember using it for.

I don't plan on letting my kids use a calculator at all until Algebra I. Am I being an "old fogie"? :001_smile:

[Gretchen in NJ]

I got all the way through college, majoring in math, without a graphing calculator. I did use mine for sine, cosine, and tangent, but that's the most sophisticated thing I remember using it for.

I don't plan on letting my kids use a calculator at all until Algebra I. Am I being an "old fogie"? :001_smile:

:iagree: with Ronda. I didn't start using a calculator until Calc III in college and then I didn't use it a lot. I think there is something to be said about learning to graph using paper and pencil first.

I am going to date myself now. Please forgive me. But, does anyone know if the change the rules for the SATs? Do they allow graphing calculators now?

I was leaning more towards not letting them use a calculator until algebra II or pre-calc, but that would be too late if the SATs allowed them now.

Gretchen

[Perry]

From http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/testday/calc.html

SAT Subject Tests™

Some questions on these tests cannot be solved without a scientific or graphing calculator. We recommend the use of a graphing calculator over a scientific calculator. Calculators may only be used on the Mathematics Level 1 and Level 2 Subject Tests. You may not use a calculator for other Subject Tests and must put it away when not taking a mathematics test.

[Gretchen in NJ]

Since the SAT recommends the use of calculators, then I would introduce a graphing calculator. But, I am still of the school of first learning with pencil and paper. I guess that I am truly an old fogy like Ronda.

Teaching algebra with a calculator is different than without. A student who uses a graphing calculator will do a lot more problems than a student who doesn't use one. So, an algebra curriculum will be (or should be) written either for the use of a calculator or not. IMHO a great algebra curriculum would have both types of problems. First starting with pencil & paper graphing, then moving to calculator graphing problems.

Gretchen

[SheilaZ]

I agree that students need to have some experience with graphing calculators prior to calculus. I never got the hang of using one and it caused quite a bit of trouble for me in college. (We had to use a graphing calculator and I was a mathphobe at the time.)

My husband just purchased one for a class he is taking. He has already "informed me";) that our oldest will start learning how to use it in Algebra. Of course, I still feel that paper and pencil are best with the calculator as a nice back-up.

[HollyinNNV]

When do public schools introduce the graphing calculator? I'm going to use Foerster's for Algebra I next year and wonder if I need to have them learn to use one. Is there any reason to use it before calculus? They came after my time, so I don't know what they're useful for.

Just an anecdote-Our babysitter has always said that she loved math. In PS HS they used calculators exclusively. Now she is in college and her math teacher will not allow the students to graph WITH a calculator. She is having huge problems with this.

My dd is taking Alg 1 and I allow extremely limited calculator use.
Holly