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TI-Nspire CX Brings Color to Math Visualizations

• By David Nagel
• 02/25/11

The new TI-Nspire CX and CAS add 16-bit, 320 x 240 color displays.

Texas Instruments has launched a new version of its TI-Nspire handheld, offering 16-bit, 320 x 240 color screens in its TI-Nspire CX and TI-Nspire CAS models. The company also released a new version of its TI-Nspire software.

TI-Nspire handhelds are graphing calculators that can be used in conjunction with desktop software to plan and implement lessons, assign homework, and print and export graphs and other mathematical visualizations. Student software allows class participants to transfer work to and from a computer and complete assignments on the go. Teacher software includes additional functionality, including integration with classroom interactive whiteboards, a lesson library, lesson creation tools, and multimedia capabilities.

In conjunction with the launch of the TI-Nspire CS, TI has also debuted a new version of its TI-Nspire Software, version 3.0, which introduces support for 3D graphs; the ability to graph differential equations; new bar charts and histograms, along with clustered bar charts, summary-level frequency plots, and probability distributions; image import support; and an integrated Vernier DataQuest app for data collection and analysis.

It also adds a new PublishView feature for authoring and publishing to the Web or printing out worksheets locally. It can also be used by students to build presentations and create reports. According to TI, the software also "allows users to load their own images, animations and even video into their TI-Nspire documents...." (Release notes with complete details about the update can be found here.)

Carlo Trafficante, a calculus and advanced math teacher in Ohio's Fitch High School who piloted the new CX, said the new color screens help enhance teaching and learning in his classrooms.

"The TI-Nspire CX handheld exponentially changes how we can teach mathematics," he said in a prepared statement. "With the addition of color as a key learning cue and with 3D graphing, students can better visualize and interact with class exercises. I can emphasize different parts of an equation with color, so the charts, tables, graphics and even photographs that I import into my lessons have more impact and relevance, and enable students to make the important connections among all of these representations."

According to TI, the TI-Nspire CX is acceptable for use with common exams, including the SAT, AP, ACT, and IB exams. The TI-Nspire CX and TI-Nspire CAS are expected to be available soon. Pricing was not available at press time. TI-Nspire Software 3.0 is also still listed on TI's site as "coming soon." It will support Windows and Mac OS X systems. Further information is available here.