TI Brings Wireless Collaboration to Math, Science Classrooms -- THE Journal

Learning Management Systems

TI Brings Wireless Collaboration to Math, Science Classrooms

By Denise Harrison
01/15/10

Texas Instruments has expanded its TI-Nspire line of interactive classroom tools. At the FETC 2010 conference in Florida, the company introduced TI-Nspire Navigator, a wireless student response system especially designed for math and science educators to facilitate and measure classroom instruction and collaboration.

With the TI-Nspire Navigator system, teachers can gauge, in real time, student comprehension of lessons. TI said students can also use it to become more participatory in their own learning, build critical thinking skills, and explore cause-and-effect relationships in mathematics through real-time manipulation.

The system includes a central hub and handheld "sleds" that attach to the backs of graphic calculators, adding wireless communications capabilities to the devices. The central hub communicates with the instructor's computer, allowing the teacher to see activity on the students' devices. The sleds are rechargeable, and the system includes cradles in which the sleds rest between uses.

TI said it piloted the new system with about 3,000 students and more than 20 teachers in a variety of math classes.

"The TI-Nspire Navigator system lets students compare work and explore incorrect answers in a non-threatening environment," said Donald Worcester, mathematics instructor and curriculum leader at Winter Park High School in Winter Park, FL, one of the teachers who participated in the pilot. "In five minutes, I can get an assessment of where my kids are and adjust my lesson accordingly. I can make sure none of my students gets left behind day-by-day and over time."

The TI-Nspire Navigator system is available now through instructional dealers.

About the Author

Denise Harrison is a freelance writer and editor specializing in technology, specifically in audiovisual and presentation. She also works as a consultant for Second Life projects and is involved with nonprofits and education within the 3D realm. She can be reached here.

E-Mail this page

Printable Format

Featured

AI 'Microscope' Reveals the Hidden Mechanics of LLM Thought

Anthropic has introduced new research tools designed to provide a rare glimpse into the hidden reasoning processes of advanced language models — like a "microscope" for AI.
Report: AI Security Spend Surges While Traditional Security Budgets Shrink

A new report from global cybersecurity company Thales reveals that while enterprises are pouring resources into AI-specific protections, only 8% are encrypting the majority of their sensitive cloud data — leaving critical assets exposed even as AI-driven threats escalate and traditional security budgets shrink.
Survey: Younger Educators More Likely to Embrace AI Tools

While educators across the United States agree that AI has enhanced classroom engagement, enthusiasm for AI's benefits is strongest among young teachers, according to a recent survey from learning technology company D2L.
Supreme Court Upholds Universal Service Fund

In a 6-3 decision, the United States Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund, the primary funding source behind the E-Rate program.