Get "Nspired"! {Giveaway}
TGIF teaching friends! I know many of my US friends have a long weekend ahead, probably filled with BBQs, friends, and fun! Well, for those who popped by to check out the blog before the festivities commence, you are in luck! Today, I have a fun review/giveaway of the amazing, awesome, and all-around cool tool: the TI-Nspire CX from Texas Instruments!
My regular readers know that I mentioned this super cool tool when I was in New York City for the BlogHer'12 Conference and I had an opportunity to play learn with this fun device at a TI-sponsored breakfast event. :) I decided to sit down with my preview copy and take a look at all the fun and report back to you!
Here are some pictures from the "more-than-just-a-calculator" calculator:
A full-color screen!
All of the fun accessories, including a case, wall and computer recharge cables, and software for use at home!
Check out how pretty it is!
There is a trackpad in the middle that works just like a laptop mouse. So cool!
In case you missed, there is a full keyboard along the bottom too - keep reading to see how to use this feature in any class!
While I know my middle and high school teacher readers will be on their toes over this one {It is approved for ACT and SAT use as well}, the elementary teachers might not think that there is anything here for you. Well, there actually is!
The TI-Nspire CXs (really mini-computers) can be set up in a classroom so that they are wireless, which allows you to do quick polls - can we say formative assessment? - and even grab screen captures. Any student can present his or her calculator screen onto a main screen from anywhere in the room, so teachers can redirect their lessons to target their students' trouble areas. Even in classes other than math or science! Let's say you wanted to practice random standardized testing skills at various times throughout the day. Grab the units, put up your question, and watch as the results come in (which can be public or private, by the way). You can set it up so that the questions are multiple choice, or even free answer using the keyboards at the bottom. Show the poll when everyone is done voting and then discuss the right answer. Now, you also have private student answers, so you are able to go back and know who to pull into small groups for further discussion for that specific skill! Results can even be transferred wirelessly and graded, saved, and recorded if you so choose!
Another fun and super useful resource that TI also has out there: A great lesson planning site! Head on over to the TI Activities part of their site and you will be able to sort through TONS of lesson plans and ideas using all different TI products! They even have lessons that are already aligned to Common Core! I plan on adding several of them soon to my Common Core Math Lessons page as well! Head on over there to check it out!
Last thing you might want to be aware of: TI is also running their own giveaway where the grand prize includes:
- Mayim Bialik will come to the winning school to teach an integrated math and science lesson, plus your classroom will win the following:
- TI-Nspire™ CX Handhelds
- TI-Nspire™ CX Navigator™ System
- Customized Teacher Training Program
- Data Collection Tools
{For those of you who don't know the name right away, Mayim Bialik was "Blossom" - AND (I had no idea), she holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience - cool!} You can enter their separate giveaway HERE.
Ok, enough of the talky talk - I am sure you are ready to enter The OCB's contest too! Thanks to Texas Instruments for sponsoring this giveaway where one lucky reader here can win their very own TI-Nspire CX! Enter below and good luck from Texas Instruments and The Organized Classroom Blog!
