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| Texas Instruments, a world leader in education technology, works with educators throughout the world in designing and developing technology for classrooms. By working with educators from inception to production, TI's products, training and support materials are well-researched and tested, providing an appropriate solution for every grade level.
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Origins
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In 1986, several college educators contacted TI about using calculators in their curriculum and requested funding to develop "calculator-active" test questions that could be used on standardized tests. That same year, TI received a request from the state of Connecticut for 10,000 simple "four-function" calculators. These activities alerted TI that the educational community was largely ready to accept the use of new technology as a teaching aid.
At the same time, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) realized that mathematics teachers needed a coherent vision of teaching mathematics for a world increasingly reliant on the use of technology in careers and at home. The NCTM's standards have been incorporated into what TI has used in developing its products.
It became evident to TI that new changes in education provided an excellent opportunity for it to develop new solutions for educators. More than an opportunity to sell products, this situation was an opportunity to design unique solutions to enhance teachers' ability to explain and reinforce important mathematics concepts in the classroom.
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A New Focus and a Focused, Useful Product
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Thus began TI's highly successful practice of having its product development teams meet with educators to design better, more useful classroom tools. By incorporating educators into the product development process, the products would more accurately reflect the functionality that teachers wanted and needed.
TI's initial graphing calculator, the TI-81, was well-received when it was introduced in 1990. Accustomed to working with educators, TI succeeded in creating a readily-adoptable product to a market open for changes in mathematics education. As a result, whenever TI begins work on a new product, the company organizes regular discussion groups with teachers and works with a large network of advisors from inception to production and pilot-site testing.
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Support for Educators
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After TI created handheld units, the company did not stop there.
In fact, one of TI's greatest strengths is helping educators integrate new technology into classrooms. TI provides classroom activities, training resources and supplemental materials such as activity books and newsletters. Many of the books and training materials are written by educators and include sample lessons, activities and suggestions for teaching particular concepts.
Another support program is the Workshop Loan Program, in which TI loans handheld units for teacher evaluation and workshops. TI is also the primary sponsor of T³ - Teachers Teaching with Technology™, the largest professional development program for math and science teachers in the United States and Canada. T³ trains about 14,000 teachers a year on the appropriate use of handheld technology.
Also offered are web site discussion groups and Internet email lists for teachers to share ideas and ask questions of other educators. Educators are also encouraged to take part in courses offered throughout the year by other educators trained in the new solutions.
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Introduction of Flash Technology
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As TI continued to work with educators, they indicated the desire for a way to add more capabilities to the handheld units they've already invested in. At the same time, Flash memory technology, which allows the calculator's software to be upgraded electronically, became affordable. As a result, TI pioneered the use of Flash technology in the educational arena by incorporating it in the graphing units.
In just 13 months, TI developed a line of Flash-based handheld tools and add-on calculator software applications (Apps). In 1998, TI introduced the TI-73 with Flash technology for middle grades, then quickly incorporated the technology into the TI-83 TI-83 Plus and the TI-89 and TI-92 (TI-92 Plus).
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Benefits of Flash Technology
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Educators stressed that flexibility was key in any product TI developed. With the addition of Flash technology, users have the ability to upgrade the functionality of their units by installing current and future calculator software Apps. Using a cable attached to a computer, application software can be updated with the latest operating systems or new software Apps. This enables users to customize their graphing units to support their curriculum.
From "Topics in Algebra I," which provides specific curriculum topics, overviews, and supporting activities to "Inequality Graphing," which provides additional capabilities to support important concepts, the variety illustrates the depth and breadth of software Apps that are available to TI users.
The popularity of TI graphing products has attracted the interest of third-party developers, a number of whom have created Apps for the TI Flash-based products.
As TI continues to listen to educators and work with them on their needs, the company will continue to develop practical educational technology solutions that help increase teacher and student success.
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