1. Nspire CAS (Computer Algebra Systems) Rollout
CEC Room 301
Thursday, November 26, 2009

2. Prayer for Conscience (1 of 2)
Good and gracious God,
Help me to see my connections to all things,
To see your spirit within and without.
Let my faith not only comfort me,
May it challenge and disturb me.
Help me to listen better
to creation, to others, to my own thoughts and feelings,
and most of all to you.
Give me a deeper appreciation
For the unique contribution I can make
To the common good.

3. Prayer for Conscience (2 of 2)
And finally, God,
When I am overwhelmed by my own sense of powerlessness,
remind me of Jesus,
that I may grow in compassion,
by being ready and willing to slip into another’s shoes,
and so find my own place in the universal dance of life.
Amen

4. Agenda Prayer/ Welcome Minds On: Icebreaker Frayer Model for CAS
What research says about CAS
Action:
Introduction to Nspire CAS Handheld
Lunch
Your Turn: Carousel of Nspire Activities
Consolidation:
Next Steps
Dismissal

5. Minds On…

6. IceBreaker Take turns in your group sharing… My name is…
A favourite math learning memory is…
Teaching to me means…
Help in my professional growth…

7. Frayer Model
At your table create a Frayer Model to define CAS (Computer Algebra System
A template is in your handout for you to use this strategy with your classes.

8. What is CAS? According to wikipedia.com:
A computer algebra system (CAS) is a software program that facilitates symbolic mathematics. The core functionality of a CAS is manipulation of mathematical expressions in symbolic form.

9. CAS Overview
Computer Algebra Systems (CAS) have been used in Mathematics since the 1970s
Originally used in post secondary to ease the tedium of complex algebra
The revised Mathematics curriculum in 2005 featured CAS as a tool to help students develop algebraic reasoning

10. CAS Research
Dr Carolyn Kieran from the University of Quebec at Montreal conducted research into secondary school uses of CAS in
Two remedial grade 10 classes participated
One class used CAS and the other did not
Classes focused on factoring and expanding expressions

11. Research Findings Dr Kiernan found that CAS:
Resulted in higher student achievement
Provokes student discussion when unexpected answers encountered
Encourages students to form and check conjectures
Motivates students to check their answers
Creates confidence and interest in students

12. Black Box vs White Box
CAS was originally used a tool to perform the algebra (Black Box)
CAS can also be used as a pedagogical tool to examine patterns, form and confirm conjectures and discuss findings (White Box)
If students only use CAS as a black box, they never develop functional or conceptual skills in algebra
See March 2007 OAME Gazette for more information

13. Action …

14. Nspire CAS Handheld Keys
The NavButton is used to grasp objects
The NavPad is used to move the cursor
The blue Ctrl button is used to control features
Shortcuts:
Ctrl » advance a page
Ctrl « returns to previous page

15. BREAK TIME!

16. LUNCH
Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts, which we are about to receive from your bounty. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

17. Upgrading the OS using Nspire Computer Link
The Nspire CAS handheld software (Operating System) is continually having new features added
The Nspire Computer Link software can be used to automatically update the OS on a handheld that is attached, if the computer is connected to the internet
The current version of the OS (Operating System) is May 19, 2009
Here’s a demo ….

18. Transferring the OS from Another Handheld
To transfer the OS from one handheld to another handheld, you:
Connect the 2 devices using the small cable (The end with the white dot goes on the sending unit)
Turn on both units
On the Sending unit, choose 7: My Documents from the Home screen
Press b then A: Send OS
Follow on-screen instructions

19. Transferring a File from one Handheld to Another
Applications can be downloaded and transferred to a handheld using Nspire Computer Link
To transfer s file from handheld to handheld you:
Connect the 2 devices using the small cable (The end with the white dot goes on sending unit)
Turn on both units
On the Sending unit, choose 7: My Documents from the Home screen
Cursor to the desired file on the sending unit
Press / then b and choose 1: File then 5: Send
Follow the on-screen instructions

20. Resources on TI Web Site
On the back of the handheld is the web address (education.ti.com)
The web site has free downloads for Nspire Computer Link, OS, pre- made applications
Let’s see a demo…

21. Your Turn: Activities Carousel
TI Math is another web site that releases activities for secondary Mathematics
The activities are organized by the American mathematics courses:
Algebra I (Our grade 9)
Algebra II (Our grade 10)
Geometry (Our grade 9, 10, 11)
Pre-Calculus (MCR3U, MCT4C, MHF4U)
Calculus (MCV4U)
Statistics (MBF3C, MAP4C, MDM4U)
The activities are either Bell ringers (class openers) or Action-Consequence investigations
I have preloaded them on the free Nspires and I can transfer the files to the school supplied units

22. Carousel Stations: There are 5 stations:
Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides (MFM1P & MPM1D)
Understanding Slope (MFM1P and MPM1D)
Similar Figures (MFM2P)
Unit Circle (MFM2P, MPM2D, MBF3C, MCF3M, MCR3U)
Critical Points (MHF4U & MCV4U)

23. Consolidation/ Debrief …

24. Your Responsibilities
With a partner teaching the same course, create an activity using Nspire CAS
You will use your class for action research to design, test and refine your activity
Keep a journal of your classroom experiences with Nspire CAS
Come to a session learn how to use the three software components on March 2nd
You and your partner will present your completed activity at the in-service on April 7th

25. Stumbling Blocks Dr Kiernan found that for CAS to be used effectively:
Teachers need to be comfortable using the Nspire CAS device
Teachers need to change their pedagogy so the activities are investigative and student centred
CAS activities must foster student communication where students describe concepts in their own words

26. Plan for the remaining two days
Before March 2nd session:
Download the Nspire Link software from education.ti.com to use on your home computer.
Complete Learn & Earn CD to get a free Nspire CAS Teacher Edition license for home (Deadline is end of December!)
Use Nspire CAS handhelds in your classes. Start with pre-made activities.
March 7th session:
Each school has a license for Nspire CAS Teacher Edition, Nspire Computer Link and Connect to Class software that is installed on your school laptop
Bring a laptop computer with the software.
Before the April 7th session:
Work on your Nspire CAS Activity and conduct action research in your class.
April 7th session:
Come prepared to share your activity.

27. Closing Thoughts: It is only natural for me to want
them to be successful, but by
merely telling them the answers,
doing things for them, or showing
them shortcuts, I relieve students of
their responsibilities and deprive
them of the opportunity to make
sense of the mathematics they are
learning.

28. Closing Thoughts:
The most influential factor in improving student achievement is not demographics, socio-economic status, or classroom resources, but rather more effective teaching!
Robert J. Marzano, Classroom Instruction that Works, 2001

29. Closing Thoughts:
People who say that something cannot be done are usually interrupted by people doing it!

30. For more information, please contact me:
Dwight Stead – Mathematical Literacy Consultant (7-12) x24533