Invest in Your Child's Learning

Children of all ages need basic tools to succeed in school, such as pens, pencils, notebooks and dictionaries, but sometimes basic supplies just aren't enough to capture a child's interest and understanding.  Since math courses build upon fundamentals learned in previous courses, today's student must keep up and master concepts at each grade level to succeed in school, prompting parents to look for educational tools as an investment in their child's learning.

Texas Instruments, the nation's long-time leader in handheld graphing technology, has developed the TI-84 Plus Silver Edition, a graphing calculator that your child can use in the 8th grade and into college. Recent research shows that graphing calculators, which help students visualize and better understand concepts in math and science, significantly improve their mathematics performance.  The TI-84 Plus SE can even be used on college entrance exams and select advanced placement exams.

"I saw a big difference in the way my students learned after using the TI-84 Plus Silver Edition graphing calculator," said Jane Damaske, an educational technology consultant and former 8th grade math teacher. "I continue to see the difference in classrooms I visit across the country. Students are excited to come to class, they like seeing problems come to life, and they grasp concepts better while using graphing technology. There is a real domino effect that can happen with graphing calculators. The more interested students become in math and science, the more time they spend with these subjects inside and outside the classroom -- and the more they spend time learning, the more likely they are to succeed."

Designed for high school and college classes, the TI-84 Plus SE comes pre-loaded with 30 educational applications (Apps), such as electronic flashcards for test prep and "Topics in Algebra 1."  With built-in USB capabilities and memory to hold up to 94 Apps, students can go to www.tibacktoschool.com to download free educational software and games straight from their computer onto the calculator.

While a learning tool like a graphing calculator requires a small financial commitment from parents, the positive results are well worth the investment.  Research has proved that when students use a graphing calculator such as the TI-84 Plus Silver Edition to complete assignments and study for tests, their overall attitude about math and school can improve.  

Texas Instruments offers colorful faceplates and adhesive stickers (skins) that can be used to personalize the calculator.  The company is also hosting an online design contest where students and teachers can design their own personal calculator skin for the chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree, a TI-Navigator classroom learning system and 30 TI-84 Plus Silver Edition Graphing Calculators.  For more information on graphing calculators, free downloadable Apps and the GraphiTI contest, log onto www.tibacktoschool.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content