Michaela Nobles

Technology Review
TI-Inspire CAS (Dynamic Software)
Part A
General Information
TI-Inspire CAS is produced by Texas Instrument. You can download TI-Inspire CAS from
https://education.ti.com/en/us/products#product=ti-nspire-technology. You can download the trial
version for free. The trial last for ninety days. The teacher software is available for a one year
subscription for about $120.00. You can also purchase a license to have the TI-Inspire CAS on a
fixed number of computers. I could not find out how many computers could be used on one
license. There are different versions to download based on what type of computer you have. For
example, there is a different download for a Mac and a PC. TI-Inspire CAS is good to use for a
calculator, graphs, notes, data and statistics, geometry, and list and spreadsheets. The software
is good in any class from Algebra to Calculus. TI-Inspire CAS is helpful in teaching all the strands
of the common core for high school mathematics.
Common Core Standards
The TI-Inspire CAS software can help students learn many common core standards. It helps
students learn some standard in every strand of the common core. Here are a few standards from
each strand that the TI-Inspire can help students learn.
Algebra

CCSS.Math.Content.HSA.SSE.B.3
Choose and produce an equivalent form of an expression to reveal and explain
properties of the quantity represented by the expression.*

Functions

CCSS.Math.Content.HSF.IF.A.2
Use function notation, evaluate functions for inputs in their domains, and interpret
statements that use function notation in terms of a context.

CCSS.Math.Content.HSF.IF.C.7
Graph functions expressed symbolically and show key features of the graph, by hand in
simple cases and using technology for more complicated cases.*

CCSS.Math.Content.HSF.IF.C.9
Compare properties of two functions each represented in a different way (algebraically,
graphically, numerically in tables, or by verbal descriptions). For example, given a graph
of one quadratic function and an algebraic expression for another, say which has the
larger maximum.

Geometry

CCSS.Math.Content.HSG.CO.A.2
Represent transformations in the plane using, e.g., transparencies and geometry
software; describe transformations as functions that take points in the plane as inputs
and give other points as outputs. Compare transformations that preserve distance and
angle to those that do not (e.g., translation versus horizontal stretch).

CCSS.Math.Content.HSG.CO.C.10
Prove theorems about triangles. Theorems include: measures of interior angles of a
triangle sum to 180; base angles of isosceles triangles are congruent; the segment
joining midpoints of two sides of a triangle is parallel to the third side and half the length;
the medians of a triangle meet at a point.

CCSS.Math.Content.HSG.CO.C.11
Prove theorems about parallelograms. Theorems include: opposite sides are congruent,
opposite angles are congruent, the diagonals of a parallelogram bisect each other, and
conversely, rectangles are parallelograms with congruent diagonals.

Statistics and Probability

CCSS.Math.Content.HSS.ID.A.1
Represent data with plots on the real number line (dot plots, histograms, and box plots).

CCSS.Math.Content.HSS.ID.A.2
Use statistics appropriate to the shape of the data distribution to compare center
(median, mean) and spread (interquartile range, standard deviation) of two or more
different data sets.

CCSS.Math.Content.HSS.ID.A.3
Interpret differences in shape, center, and spread in the context of the data sets,
accounting for possible effects of extreme data points (outliers).

CCSS.Math.Content.HSS.ID.A.4

Use the mean and standard deviation of a data set to fit it to a normal distribution and to
estimate population percentages. Recognize that there are data sets for which such a
procedure is not appropriate. Use calculators, spreadsheets, and tables to estimate areas
under the normal curve

CCSS.Math.Content.HSS.ID.C.7
Interpret the slope (rate of change) and the intercept (constant term) of a linear model in
the context of the data.

Standards for Mathematical Practice

CCSS.Math.Practice.MP1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

TI-Inspire CAS allows you type in a function and see the graph relating to it. This helps the
students make sense of the connection between the function and the graph of the function. They
will be able to use this to solve many tasks, such as equations.

CCSS.Math.Practice.MP3 Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.

TI-Inspire CAS allows you to do many constructions of graphs for functions, data, and statistics.
You can also construct many objects and shapes. You can measure them, manipulate them, as
well as many other things used with the construction tools to provide evidence to make an
argument. Also, with the representations that you can make on this software, you will be able to
critique the reasoning of others because you can use the visual to support what they say or to be
against what they say.

CCSS.Math.Practice.MP4 Model with mathematics.

TI-Inspire is very helpful with real-world applications to model mathematics. The software
provides the opportunity to create many graphical representations as well as pictorial
representations to help solve problems. They can identify quantities in situations, analyze
relationships, and interpret results to draw conclusions.

CCSS.Math.Practice.MP5 Use appropriate tools strategically.

TI-Inspire CAS provides a numerous amount of tools to assist students in explorations as well as
problem solving. Students are sufficiently familiar with tools appropriate in the software make
sound decisions about when each of these tools might be helpful.

Part B

The technology works really well. The written material is very useful and pretty easy to read.
Once you go through to see all the tools available and where they are located it is rather simple.
The instructions for using the software is not hard, especially if you already know the terms that is
associated with it. If you are in math, you are likely to know the terms associated with the TIInspire CAS. There are several purposes for the use of this software. One purpose is that using
the graph feature, you can plot and explore functions, equations and inequalities, animate points
on objects and graphs, and use sliders to explain their behavior. For statistics, you can analyze
data using different graphical methods such as histograms, box plots, bar and pie charts. The TIInspire offers a variety of graphs to use to help students. For geometry, the purpose is to
construct figures, being able to manipulate it, and measure various parts of a figure to make
conclusions. The software also serves as being a calculator. It performs computations as well
allowing you to enter expressions, formulas, and equations in proper notation.

The technology does address and reach the goals it is supposed to. Students have access to
many different features to allow them to explore, discover, and make conclusions using graphs,
construction, spreadsheets, as well as many other features of the TI-Inspire CAS. The software is
very easy to use. Once you know all the features and where all the tools are are located, it is up
to you what to do. There is not a long process for creating anything in the software. Students
should be able to use it rather quickly and efficiently. . I would recommend this product to be
purchased for a school to use. This technology does enhance the teaching and learning process.
Not only is using this software easier but it helps with speed and accuracy. For example, if you
wanted to show three graphs, all you have to do is type in the graph and they will instantly show
up. You do not have to worry about trying to draw the graphs of each equation. If you wanted to
see a system on a graph, all you have to do is type in the two equations and it automatically
appears. The lines cross at the exact solution. It also is useful as a computational tool. You could
take any problem from easy to very difficult and have it solved on the software. As long as you
type it correctly, TI-Nspire will give you an exact answer. It shows you more than you could ever
see on paper. One way it can do this is by allowing you to do 3D graphing. You can type in any
function and see the result in 3D. Also, you can manipulate the graph and see the changes of
graph as different parameters change. Being able to do that allows TI-Nspire to also be used as a
reasoning and communication tool. You can see multiple representations in a matter of minutes.
When you open a new window, you can choose the options of seeing as many different

representations as you want. You can choose a graph, a calculator, data and spreadsheets, a
table, or many other options. You can compare data quickly. You can construct lines, points,
figures, and objects fast. TI-Nspire allows you to create different shapes and manipulate them. TINspire

Also, you can create them with precision. The measurements would be accurate. The TI-Inspire
CAS helps you gain knowledge that would not be able to be gained without it. With the many
features of TI-Inspire CAS, students are able to explore on their own and make personal
conclusions on mathematical concepts. The software can be used in many subject areas and it
addresses many of the Common Core Standards. It is easy and enjoyable to use.