Math | News

TI Releases Graphing Calculator Apps for iPad

• By David Nagel
• 02/20/13

Texas Instruments has released two new apps for iPad that bring the functionality of its TI-Nspire graphing calculators to iOS.

According to TI, the new apps--TI-Nspire and TI-Nspire CAS--were developed in collaboration with classroom teachers and researchers. They're designed to mimic the functionality of the TI-Nspire and TI-Nspire CAS calculators and also offer the following functionality unique to the iOS platform:

• A dynamic keyboard that can switch between a standard QWERTY keyboard and a math notation keyboard;
• "Dynamically linked multiple representations of problems that encourage students to make crucial connections by observing how equations change as they touch and interact with shapes, graphs and objects on the screen";
• Built-in file sharing options, including iTunes, e-mail, and Dropbox; and
• Integration with iPad hardware, including the camera, allowing users to take photos and import them into the app.

"The apps fill a critical need for an all-in-one math teaching and learning tool designed specifically for the iPad," said Melendy Lovett, president of Texas Instruments Education Technology, in a prepared statement released today. "TI is extending the proven benefits of TI-Nspire technology to the tablet platform. TI's goals are to provide educators with the most powerful math apps for the iPad and to engage students while helping them reach a deeper conceptual understanding of math. Beyond the new Apps for iPad, TI continues to support teachers by providing world-class professional development, and access to free classroom-ready activities for use with the TI-Nspire Apps for iPad; activities can be integrated seamlessly into curriculum and are available at TI's Math Nspired Web site."

The TI-Nspire and TI-Nspire apps for iPad run $29.99 each and support iPad second generation or newer and iPad mini. A one-year license for the TI-Nspire/TI-Nspire CAS Teacher Software is included with the purchase of either app. They are both available now through the iTunes Store. The apps will also be demonstrated at the 2013 T³ International Conference being held in Philadelphia March 8-10.