TI's handheld technology: the right tools for the job: the TI-83 Plus is the best-selling graphing calculator in the U.S. and Canada. Here's a taste of why. (Special Advertising Section).

Over the years--decades even--one could make an argument that K-12 education in this country is often slow to make changes. Students still sit at desks, they still listen to and watch teachers write on blackboards, and they still read textbooks.

But in the past 15 years or so, educating youngsters has begun to change dramatically. Sure, computers started popping up in schools and classrooms before 1986, but it's only been within the past 15 years, and most visibly within the past five, that technology has really begun to show glimmers of its promise in education.

One area where technology is paying off in education is with handheld devices, especially graphing calculators, which have become integral to math and science instruction. Texas Instruments, for example, sells more than 2.5 million graphing calculators per year.

"If you were to go out to build a house, you wouldn't go out with a pickax and shovel, you'd bring a backhoe," says Frank Demana, a retired Ohio State University professor and co-founder of TI's [T.sup.3] professional development program. "You'd need the right tools. That's what these graphing calculators are; they are the right tool to solve the problem."

Built for the Classroom, not the Boardroom

Much of what makes TI's handheld technology "the right tools" for the job of math and science learning comes directly from teachers. Educators' input is solicited on everything--from unit design to applications and software--all along the way at Texas Instruments. This is not re-purposed business technology; TI develops its products specifically to meet the real-world needs of teachers and students, as defined by educators themselves.

It has only been within the last 10 years that graphing calculators--especially the Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus, which is the best-selling graphing calculator in the U.S. and Canada--have become so prevalent in schools. Sixty percent of high school seniors, for instance, currently own a TI-83 series graphing calculator, according to Decision Analyst Inc.

The reasons for this are many, but one certainly is affordability. This is a productive tool that parents and students can easily afford. Teachers and students alike have also come to appreciate the "anytime, anywhere" aspect that handheld technology brings to learning. Students can do homework problems on the ride home from school, for example, or out on the lawn during lunch. Long battery life and rugged durability are prime features of TI's handheld technology, because they know that "kids will be kids."

Not only are high schools and middle schools using them, even elementary students are being exposed to graphing calculators. Linda Griffith, a University of Central Arkansas professor and instructor in TI's educator training program, [T.sup.3], says that students as young as kindergarten are being taught with TI graphing calculators. The youngsters themselves don't use the devices, but see graphs and diagrams from them on projector screens.

"Many elementary teachers are a little nervous about it at first, but once they see what they can do, they're able to take it back to the classroom and use it," Griffith says of the technique, which pairs handhelds with affordable projection technology.

The TI-83 Plus allows users to add Handheld Software Applications and extend functionality beyond math and science. Loading applications--memory in the TI-83 can handle about 10 apps at a time--is a simple process, similar to adding software to a computer. News of new applications, many of which are free, is available at the TI Education Web site education.ti.com.

Use Allowed on State and National Tests

"It's a tremendous tool," says John Brunsting, director of teaching and learning at Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale, Ill., of the TI-83 Plus. "It's not the answer for everything, but it is now an indispensable part of math and science education."

So indispensable, in fact, that for several years students have been allowed, encouraged, and even required, to use graphing calculators on several tests and exams at the local, state and national levels. Both the SAT and ACT allow their limited use, and several states require students to use them in statewide benchmark tests. While handhelds equipped with pen input, a QWERTY keyboard and wireless or infrared beaming--such as Palms or IPaqs--aren't allowed by such tests, graphing calculators such as the TI83 Plus are welcome.

Promoting use of graphing calculators like the TI-83 Plus during high-stakes testing greatly underscores their value to students. This is technology by which students learn and gain understanding, not simply receive the "right" answer.

Demana says that with graphing calculators, students are better prepared at handling and analyzing data to understand difficult mathematical and scientific concepts. Teachers, in turn, can leverage this. For example, tests could involve questions with equations that require students find all possible solutions. "Certain simple things can be done with paper and pencil, but it can get complicated very quickly when you ask for something beyond just a numerical answer," says Demana.

"When I look at the statewide passing rate for algebra end-of-course is like 14 percent, and I've got 60 percent of my kids passing it, the reason being [because] I use technology. The numbers speak for themselves," says Ed Howell, a teacher at Townview Magnet Center in Dallas.

Working at Home

The portability of the handhelds makes them easy to transfer between home and school, allowing students to complete schoolwork at home, on the bus, or anywhere in between.

"It's almost essential to have it at home in order to do extra practice," says Melissa Rowe, a teacher at South Grand Prairie (Texas) High School. "You've always got those students that want to learn more. If they have one at home, they can sit, they can explore, and then bring any questions to us. We are enlightening them while they are learning on their own."

Clara Tolbert, the former director of the Urban Systemic Initiative for Philadelphia's School District, agrees.

"In a classroom of 50 minutes to an hour-and-a-haft, you don't have time to reflect on the work that you're doing, and so if you have the tools at home, you have that opportunity to reflect, and you also have the opportunity to bring your parents into the kinds of work that you're doing and help them see and understand the good work that you are doing in school every day."

"The handheld technology is a wonderful benefit for the students in that you always have some students that need a slower pace, and you have some students that need a faster pace, all within the same classroom," says Rowe. "The students that want a faster pace can go and expand on their own. They can explore and learn more concepts, and in turn teach it to more students in their class."

Students Work Together

Since the TI-83 Plus and other models can run programs and Apps, many students are drawn to the idea of writing original programs for their graphing calculator. These students gather and communicate at places like www.ticalc.org, a student-run Web site where they trade programs, share tips (and games), and generally push the boundaries of what TI handheld technology can do.

Graphing calculators help students create models from data and draw conclusions. By literally seeing math work, students gain insights and make personal connections.

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