TI-Nspire For Dummies Paperback – June 7, 2011
Author: Visit ‘s Jeff McCalla Page ID: 1118004663
From the Back Cover
Your TI-Nspire has had a makeover! Learn to use all its amazing, updated features
Your TI-Nspire is simply one of the most fantastic math tools in existence. Now with color, touchpad control, and other upgrades, it has even more to offer! Whether you’re a student or a teacher, this book will help you take advantage of every TI-Nspire feature. Learn TI-Nspire language, explore the software, and start solving problems today.
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Learn how it thinks — understand the philosophy behind the TI-Nspire and set up your device
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Calculate stuff — learn to use the Calculator application, entering and evaluating expressions and working with variables
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Get graphic — create a wide variety of graphs for visual representation, including 3D and differential equations
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The object is geometric — use the Geometry application to construct and measure objects
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Make a list — organize, analyze, and display your data with the Lists & Spreadsheet application
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Statistically speaking — work with the Data & Statistics application to manipulate single- and two-variable data
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Note that — customize documents for greater understanding using the Notes application
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Check out the software — see how to get TI-Nspire software for your computer, and why you should
Open the book and find:
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How to move and grab an object
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How multiple representations aid learning
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The keypad zones and how to use them
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Guidelines for conducting data collection experiments
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Tips for using CAS tools
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Hints for troubleshooting common problems
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Ten terrific shortcuts
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Special information for teachers
Learn to:
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Use all features of the new touchpad
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View graphical, algebraic, numeric, geometric, and written formats
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See and make connections among multiple representations at once
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Explore the new TI-Nspire CX full-color display
About the Author
Jeff McCalla teaches Algebra 2 and Pre-Calculus at St. Mary’s Episcopal School in Memphis. He is a T3 instructor for Texas Instruments and co- founder of the TI-Nspire SuperUser group.
Steve Ouellette wrote the first edition of TI-Nspire For Dummies as well as CliffsNotes Guide to TI-Nspire.
Paperback: 392 pagesPublisher: For Dummies; 2 edition (June 7, 2011)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 1118004663ISBN-13: 978-1118004661 Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.8 x 9.3 inches Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Best Sellers Rank: #36,624 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #16 in Books > science & Math > Mathematics > reference #1435 in Books > Computers & technology #9304 in Books > Reference
This book (review) is intended for the teacher (or student) who is new to Nspire. In particular, it is for the teacher who wants to implement Nspire in the Fall and cannot attend a 3-Day seminar and/or who learns well from a book at your own pace.
Please note–I am writing this 7/1/2011. When reading the other reviews, check the date. I think the new book was released in June 2011 for the 2nd Edition.
A lot has been added with OS3.0 for the Nspire CX.
I’m a fanboy of Nspire and consider myself an Intermediate user. I read the book to strengthen my understanding. I teach high school math and want to be prepared for answering my students’ questions. The book is fabulous. For about 20 bucks the book is invaluable. I consider it to be a personal tutor at my beck and call. I plan to make it available to my students as a reference guide. Not only that, I have some colleagues who would benefit from reading a section before I answer their specific questions. Granted it does not delve into advanced authoring, but it has all the essentials for getting started with the 6 apps (plus the Questions and DataQuest).
The online Getting Started and Guidebook from TI are also great resources. I like having another resource in book form. I like the convenience of several options. Books are handy!
What I like
He has a conversational and personal tone [p151, 242, 304]
He provides his advice when there are several ways to perform a task [p1, 112, 171, 241] This is helpful when discerning between the handheld and using a mouse/computer.
Any previous poor rating of this book were from reviewers referring to the 1st edition of TI-Nspire for Dummies. As the TI-Nspire was improved I couldn’t recommend that book, but now with the 2nd edition I strongly recommend this as an excellent resource for students and teachers whether they are new to the TI-Nspire or have been using it for many years.
The deficiencies pointed out by other reviews have been addressed. There are great sections about CAS (Computer Algebra System) that can even help you decide if you want to get the TI-Nspire CX CAS that can be used on the PSAT, SAT, and AP exams, or if you want to get the TI-Nspire CX that can also be used on the IB and ACT exams. For those who want to get started with programming, clear examples are provided.
Even all the new 3.0 features are addressed, like new Question types, 3D, and the Vernier DataQuest application. If you don’t have the colorful Texas Instruments Nspire CX N3/CLM/1L1 Graphing Calculator, all the information about 3.0 is still true, and there are special instructions if it is different on the Clickpad or Touchpad. (My recommendation would be to get the TI-Nspire CX CAS.)
Teachers who get the Ti-nspire Cx Teacher Bundle, that comes with the Teacher Software, will appreciate the classroom insights and valuable instructions for doing things like Press-to-Test.
When students go to the store and get a TI-Nspire CX it comes with the Student Software.
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