Spring Break
New calculator program helps communication
Texas Instruments product gives instructors insight into thought processes of students
Hannah Dahl
Issue date: 5/18/07 Section: News
The TI-Navigator, a new product from Texas Instruments, could soon be coming to a classroom near you. The TI-Navigator system sends signals from students' calculators to the instructors' computer screen, providing a wireless communication between students and teachers. .
The Navigator works though the Access Point, which forms the connection. The system allows 32 individual calculators to be hooked up to an instructor's PC, with room for an additional eight.
The TI-Navigator could easily be incorporated into classrooms with little or no extra cost to the student. The system is compatible with the TI-83 and TI-84 Plus Families, and runs for around $4,000. Instructors get real-time feedback from students, which allows for better understanding of the student's though process.
"I think it would be very helpful," said Scott Peterson, a math instructor and director of OSU's Math Learning Center. "But the trouble is when class size is around 200, it makes it virtually impossible for the teacher to keep track of all the students. But for smaller classes, it might be nice."
"It's kind of like the clickers," Peterson said. Clickers are used in many large lecture classes to improve participation.
"In my class, I'll ask a question, and one person will answer, so I go on," Peterson said. "I don't know if the other 150 students don't get it."
The TI-Navigator becomes useful for students who are less vocal and often don't volunteer answers. This way teachers have a better idea of how many students understand lesson materials.
The Navigator will send "immediate information from the student to the teacher, keeping the teacher more informed on whether they need to go over a concept again," Peterson said. "But if 90 percent get it, I could move on, and invite those who don't understand to my office hours."
"It has the potential to improve participation," said Tom Dick, director of the Math Learning Center. However, it would be tough to use in large lectures, and best used in classes of 25-35." It can be used as a response system, sort of the "next generation" in terms of sharing information, Dick said.
"I think it sounds like a good idea," said Sri Kumar Senthirajah, a freshman in animal science. "It would help the teachers communicate with students that are less vocal and help them preform better in class."
"It would be especially helpful in small enough classes, like recitation. It would give more one-on-one time with the students and TA's, more feedback," Sentirajah said.
The Navigator works though the Access Point, which forms the connection. The system allows 32 individual calculators to be hooked up to an instructor's PC, with room for an additional eight.
The TI-Navigator could easily be incorporated into classrooms with little or no extra cost to the student. The system is compatible with the TI-83 and TI-84 Plus Families, and runs for around $4,000. Instructors get real-time feedback from students, which allows for better understanding of the student's though process.
"I think it would be very helpful," said Scott Peterson, a math instructor and director of OSU's Math Learning Center. "But the trouble is when class size is around 200, it makes it virtually impossible for the teacher to keep track of all the students. But for smaller classes, it might be nice."
"It's kind of like the clickers," Peterson said. Clickers are used in many large lecture classes to improve participation.
"In my class, I'll ask a question, and one person will answer, so I go on," Peterson said. "I don't know if the other 150 students don't get it."
The TI-Navigator becomes useful for students who are less vocal and often don't volunteer answers. This way teachers have a better idea of how many students understand lesson materials.
The Navigator will send "immediate information from the student to the teacher, keeping the teacher more informed on whether they need to go over a concept again," Peterson said. "But if 90 percent get it, I could move on, and invite those who don't understand to my office hours."
"It has the potential to improve participation," said Tom Dick, director of the Math Learning Center. However, it would be tough to use in large lectures, and best used in classes of 25-35." It can be used as a response system, sort of the "next generation" in terms of sharing information, Dick said.
"I think it sounds like a good idea," said Sri Kumar Senthirajah, a freshman in animal science. "It would help the teachers communicate with students that are less vocal and help them preform better in class."
"It would be especially helpful in small enough classes, like recitation. It would give more one-on-one time with the students and TA's, more feedback," Sentirajah said.
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