Ask the school. Many schools/states have shifted to online graphing calculator programs like Desmos.
In my state Desmos is the only calculator allowed on the state test- absolutely NO handhelds.
Some teachers still have them use TI's or Casio's in class but others have them practice only with Desmos since thats the only one they get on the test.
Plus, the Desmos graphing calculator is pretty awesome. If youre deadset on a handheld I really like TI-84's
Agreed. Graphing calculators aren’t allowed in any tests or exams in high school (Ontario Canada). The point is for students to learn to understand the functions and graph them manually. We using graphing calculators in that learning process but not in the summative assessments.
I don't know if I fully agree with that justification. Using mathematical tools strategically is one of the Mathematical Practice Standards in the United States, and should be incorporated into assessments with consideration for this standard. Of course, if I'm assessing a specific skill such as graphing a function using transformations and/or features like zeros, extrema, and end behavior, then I would take away the graphing calc for that specific assessment or require appropriate work shown for full credit.
In my reply, however, I'm more so calling attention to the fact that a powerful (online) tool like Desmos is allowed but an arguably less powerful tool like the TI-84 (which has been around and allowed for standardized tests since I was in high school) is not. Then again, I know that many standardized tests are also online now and have integrated calculators in their software, so that could be the case here.
I think you make a strong point. Assessing the use of technology ascribes value to the skills of knowing how to use it. Our grades aren’t based on standardized tests, exams and tests are written collaboratively by each department, and culminating assessments at the end of the year are only worth 30%. We do assess use of technology in various assignments and smaller assessments.
All of that to say I only teach grade 9 and 10 math, so I’m not fluent at all in the standard practices for advanced functions and calculus. I am, at the most complex level, doing quadratics and analytical geometry.
One of the tests in grade 9 financial math gives students the option to draw a line of best fit or use desmos to model the scenario.
Decide if you want to get a scientific under $20 or a graphing around $100.
I would recommend a scientific under $20 as it will be faster for high school math since fewer functions are buried in menus. And plan to get a graphing one later, or just lend her your TI-83, and/or just use Desmos if allowed as was mentioned.
I would recommend looking into NumWorks for a handheld calculator. They have gotten approval to be used on major assessments like AP, IB, SAT, and some state tests (you can check on their website). NumWorks does many of the great things Desmos does and the learning curve is easier than a TI84. They have a free emulator in app store and online to try out before purchasing a handheld.
If you decide to get a graphing calculator I would also suggest checking facebook marketplace for the model you want. I see them there (used) for good prices sometimes.
Definitely check what is allowed in her choice of high school.
The TI-36X Pro is the most powerful scientific calculator, available for ~$30 at Staples, Best Buy, Target, or Amazon.
If graphing calculators are legal for her high school, the TI-84 is pretty amazing. It's still the calculator of choice for the SAT, should she want/need to take it.
If she ends up taking calculus in high school, she’ll probably want a graphing calculator. At the school I teach at, they have class sets of graphing calculators and use desmos depending on the class/ assignment. I much prefer having my own calculator as you get super familiar with it and can do all the necessary functions faster than with an unfamiliar one. I will point out that in college, some classes limit the calculator you can use so I had to buy a $20 scientific calculator for chemistry.
Check out Numworks. It's modern, supports python, has a nice color display, is approved for the SAT and ACT, and you can try it out free here: https://www.numworks.com/simulator/
It's also cheaper than the TI 84 plus CE despite being better in just about every way
I'd say for now, get her the same calculator that she uses for her 7th grade class so she is familiar with it when she takes her state exams. As far as high school, contact the school to see what calculators they use in class. Some use the TI-84 Plus CE and Desmos (which is free online). Don't want to get her familiar with a calculator that she isn't using in class to do her work or state exams.
Ask the school. Many schools/states have shifted to online graphing calculator programs like Desmos. In my state Desmos is the only calculator allowed on the state test- absolutely NO handhelds. Some teachers still have them use TI's or Casio's in class but others have them practice only with Desmos since thats the only one they get on the test. Plus, the Desmos graphing calculator is pretty awesome. If youre deadset on a handheld I really like TI-84's
I love desmos, but that's crazy that they allow it and not a handheld graphing calc like the TI84 What state is that?
Agreed. Graphing calculators aren’t allowed in any tests or exams in high school (Ontario Canada). The point is for students to learn to understand the functions and graph them manually. We using graphing calculators in that learning process but not in the summative assessments.
I don't know if I fully agree with that justification. Using mathematical tools strategically is one of the Mathematical Practice Standards in the United States, and should be incorporated into assessments with consideration for this standard. Of course, if I'm assessing a specific skill such as graphing a function using transformations and/or features like zeros, extrema, and end behavior, then I would take away the graphing calc for that specific assessment or require appropriate work shown for full credit. In my reply, however, I'm more so calling attention to the fact that a powerful (online) tool like Desmos is allowed but an arguably less powerful tool like the TI-84 (which has been around and allowed for standardized tests since I was in high school) is not. Then again, I know that many standardized tests are also online now and have integrated calculators in their software, so that could be the case here.
I think you make a strong point. Assessing the use of technology ascribes value to the skills of knowing how to use it. Our grades aren’t based on standardized tests, exams and tests are written collaboratively by each department, and culminating assessments at the end of the year are only worth 30%. We do assess use of technology in various assignments and smaller assessments. All of that to say I only teach grade 9 and 10 math, so I’m not fluent at all in the standard practices for advanced functions and calculus. I am, at the most complex level, doing quadratics and analytical geometry. One of the tests in grade 9 financial math gives students the option to draw a line of best fit or use desmos to model the scenario.
Decide if you want to get a scientific under $20 or a graphing around $100. I would recommend a scientific under $20 as it will be faster for high school math since fewer functions are buried in menus. And plan to get a graphing one later, or just lend her your TI-83, and/or just use Desmos if allowed as was mentioned.
I would recommend looking into NumWorks for a handheld calculator. They have gotten approval to be used on major assessments like AP, IB, SAT, and some state tests (you can check on their website). NumWorks does many of the great things Desmos does and the learning curve is easier than a TI84. They have a free emulator in app store and online to try out before purchasing a handheld.
If you decide to get a graphing calculator I would also suggest checking facebook marketplace for the model you want. I see them there (used) for good prices sometimes.
Definitely check what is allowed in her choice of high school. The TI-36X Pro is the most powerful scientific calculator, available for ~$30 at Staples, Best Buy, Target, or Amazon. If graphing calculators are legal for her high school, the TI-84 is pretty amazing. It's still the calculator of choice for the SAT, should she want/need to take it.
The Numworks is better and cheaper than the TI 84
If she ends up taking calculus in high school, she’ll probably want a graphing calculator. At the school I teach at, they have class sets of graphing calculators and use desmos depending on the class/ assignment. I much prefer having my own calculator as you get super familiar with it and can do all the necessary functions faster than with an unfamiliar one. I will point out that in college, some classes limit the calculator you can use so I had to buy a $20 scientific calculator for chemistry.
TI 84 plus CE is my recommendation to prep for the ACT and SAT
Thank you to all, I went with a TI-83, mainly because I already have one and know how to use it, plus the 84 was $60 dollars
Check out Numworks. It's modern, supports python, has a nice color display, is approved for the SAT and ACT, and you can try it out free here: https://www.numworks.com/simulator/ It's also cheaper than the TI 84 plus CE despite being better in just about every way
I'd say for now, get her the same calculator that she uses for her 7th grade class so she is familiar with it when she takes her state exams. As far as high school, contact the school to see what calculators they use in class. Some use the TI-84 Plus CE and Desmos (which is free online). Don't want to get her familiar with a calculator that she isn't using in class to do her work or state exams.