TI-Nspires In the Science Classroom

    Although calculators aren't exactly new to the classroom scene, especially in math and science, the TI-Nspire series by Texas Instruments provides many advantages over the more standard Texas Instrument graphing calculators in the classroom.
    I myself own a TI-Nspire and it has served me exceptionally well with its wide range of functions. The things that set it apart though, in my opinion, is the ability to shares files between a computer with the downloaded software and each handheld.

Red wireless waves not included.

    The TI-Nspire contains the ability to write and receive documents. Teachers can create dynamic documents complete with graphs and questions among others.
    One such application is during a science lab. Today's science students usually write a prelab, take down data then go home and make a postlab summing up their findings. But, with the Nspire it possible for teachers to integrate questions, instructions and data tables directly into a text, send it to the students before the lab and have them fill them out during the lab and upload it after they are done. Not only does this streamline grading for the teacher, it saves paper and time.

Example document with a question.

Vernier Dataquest modeling Motion 

      

     Another advantage is that it contains inbuilt Vernier Dataquest software, all it requires is a special dock to connect to the sensors and voila. This could be especially helpful in quite a few ways but the first two that come to my mind are that schools that are underfunded and cannot afford computers and related products such as school-wide wifi, mouses, keyboards and maintenance of said computers, can instead by TI-Nspires which are cheaper. The Nspire CX on Amazon costs around $132.14 dollars, not including accessories, while a bottom of the line desktop computer costs anywhere between $1000 to $3000 in today's money (statistics calculated for inflation from older models which are the most similar to the old school computers). 

      The other use for the inbuilt Vernier Dataquest could be convenience. For example, a student loses their written data or graph, normally this would pose a problem if that said can't borrow data, however with Nspire, any lost data can just be found as a saved document in the computer.       In conclusion, the TI-Nspire can be a potent tool in the science classroom as a learning aide and as a replacement for more expensive computers.