Alright, here is the scenario...

1) I work for a school.
2) We have $500 to spend on calculators(we already have 200+ but are always trying to get more....)
3) I need to optimize the number of calculators bought without having to deal with a mail in rebate(because it is coming out of school funds).

I have checked otu slickdeals but didn't see anything that is valid currently.

So help me out please...

7/31/2007 3:48:03 PM

ti offers deals for schools

7/31/2007 3:49:56 PM

all the deals they offer cost more than what we want to spend. Plus they would come with an overhead calculator and we have enough of those

7/31/2007 4:51:43 PM

wow that's like 4 or 5 calculators

7/31/2007 5:41:06 PM

yeah we were given the money from a local rotary club. we know it isn't much but that will give us 4-5 more calculators than we already have....i am hoping to find a place where i could get 7 or 8 though...

7/31/2007 8:21:42 PM

I can't remember calculators ever helping to learn math in school.

However, they did help me to learn programming.

[Edited on July 31, 2007 at 10:28 PM. Reason : fds]

7/31/2007 10:28:06 PM

Quote :

"I can't remember calculators ever helping to learn math in school."

i hate that argument. for learning how to do most mathematical operations the first time, yes it is better to do without a calculator. but once you've mastered those concepts, you are better off focusing on learning advanced concepts and using tools to assist you in the tedious parts. tools are our friends. they just need to be used appropriately. and yes, most students these days don't want to learn trigonometry, they just want to know where the sine button is.

but you're an adult now. no need to continue to believe calculators have no place in schools just cus your high school math teacher told you it's better not to use them

[Edited on July 31, 2007 at 11:55 PM. Reason : . ]

7/31/2007 11:53:54 PM

http://www.ebay.com

7/31/2007 11:56:20 PM

^^
I don't need anyone to tell me what my own judgement based on experience is.

I have no problem with people in college using them in advanced math classes where you actually have to do tedious, but now-trivial computation.

However, for the vast majority of pre-college math (maybe even all) and a lot of undergraduate math, you don't need a calculator. Furthermore, how are students supposed to know what is appropriate? They don't have the experience or wisdom to judge when using a calculator augments learning rather than substitutes for learning.

Jesus christ -- why would any teacher give a flying fuck whether students want to learn trigonometry

[Edited on August 1, 2007 at 1:24 AM. Reason : hjk]

8/1/2007 1:21:54 AM

Quote :

"I don't need anyone to tell me what my own judgement based on experience is"

good for you. you'll also note that i didn't tell you what your own judgment is, i merely stated that its implied consequence to this thread was unfounded.

[Edited on August 1, 2007 at 1:31 AM. Reason : why would a teacher care if a student wants to learn? seriously?]

8/1/2007 1:27:33 AM

ok i dont know how much the overhead calc is, but for 500 bucks, you could get like 15 at least....they go for like 30 now a days used

8/1/2007 5:28:25 AM

First of all...

1) I don't agree that the students should be able to use a calculator at all times.
2) In late elementary and middle school the students are given calculators to use and so they don't even know their multiplication tables or even how to add/subtract positive/negative numbers. This bothers me but there isn't much I can do about it.
3) The EOCs are now being designed where it is almost impossible to take the test without a calculator. Well they could take it without one, but it would take almost 5 or 6 hours to complete it.

Yes I wish my students new the basic algebra skills, but that isn't happening anymore unless something happens at the middle/elementary school.

I know I can get used ones for around 30 or 40 dollars each, but those are mostly on Ebay and I can't buy them in bulk. Plus I would want to check them out before buying.

The cheapest I found last night is ~80 with free shipping from walmart(if i buy them on tax free weekend). That would get me 6 calculators but I am still hoping for a slickdeal soon.

8/1/2007 9:34:31 AM

The overhead calc is worth about 400 dollars.

We have 6 already and on top of that we have 6 TI-Presenters. The Presenter does the same thing as the overhead calculator but it projects it on the TV.

8/1/2007 9:36:04 AM

probably not preferable, but could you buy a bunch of academic licenses of maple with that much. I assume your school has some computers. I would also check a state surplus somewhere or craigslist for bulk used ti's if that's what you're set on though.

8/1/2007 10:59:09 AM

can't use maple on the eoc...

I have gotten 8 calculators for $250. Not too shabby...

And i checked with my department chair....we have 10 presenters

8/7/2007 4:03:50 PM