For someone who has always been more inclined towards creative pursuits than math, I’ve ended up purchasing an alarming number of Texas Instruments calculators—at least four or five throughout my academic journey, starting in high school and continuing into college, and even during my unexpected role as a math tutor. Losing them or having them stolen meant I was shelling out cash approximately every couple of years. If I were to tally up all that money, it would easily exceed $500. Imagine if I had invested that in a mutual fund back in 1988. Spoiler alert: it would have grown significantly. But I digress.
This leads me to ponder: why are we still shelling out for TI-83 calculators? We once bought them as students, and now we’re preparing to do the same for our children two decades later. With a simple Google search for “compound interest,” I can get instant calculations for free. Why should I pay $140 for outdated technology? In an age where computers can fit in the tiniest gadgets, why are kids still lugging around bulky tools that resemble cookbooks? In essence, how has Texas Instruments cornered the graphing calculator market?
The truth is, they have a substantial monopoly. Jack Thompson, writing for Mic, explains, “Texas Instruments has a staggering grip on the high school math sector. The American education system is virtually addicted to TI products.” He also points out that many textbooks feature TI calculators in their illustrations, making it difficult to transition students to newer technologies.
What really keeps families tied to Texas Instruments are standardized tests. For instance, the SAT allows only calculators from a specific approved list. While this is presumably intended to prevent cheating, I can tell you from my tutoring days that students often found ways to preload their TI-83s with formulas and notes.
Moreover, TI actively promotes its calculators through a network of teachers trained to use them and by setting up impressive displays at educational conferences. In the 2013-2014 school year, Texas Instruments sold a staggering 93% of all graphing calculators in the U.S. The Washington Post estimates that TI manufactures these calculators for only $15 to $20 but reaps over a 50% profit margin, making them one of the company’s most lucrative products.
Of course, there are cheaper options available, like Casio calculators, which retail for about $50. One Pennsylvania math teacher humorously pointed out, “The only difference between TI and Casio? Marketing.” While this isn’t a concern for those who can afford it, it poses significant challenges for families struggling to meet their basic needs. Requiring students to purchase an oversized, outdated calculator for math class and standardized testing seems unnecessarily burdensome. As Thompson notes, “The way Texas Instruments collaborates with testing companies, educational boards, and compliant teachers reinforces the achievement gap between affluent students and others.”
On a more positive note, there are now free apps that are user-friendly and gaining traction in classrooms. Personally, I believe I grasped mathematical concepts better when I worked things out by hand, and I found my students thrived that way too. When the time comes, I’m prepared to support my kids with No. 2 pencils and graph paper. If they want to experience the nostalgia of ’80s tech, they can try out my old cassette player.
In summary, while the TI-83 calculator has long dominated math education, it raises questions about accessibility and relevance in today’s tech-savvy world. As we look for alternatives, it’s crucial to consider the obstacles faced by families and explore innovative options. For more insights on parenting and technology, check out this post on modern family blog. If you’re interested in at-home insemination, Make A Mom is a reputable online retailer of syringes. Plus, for more information on pregnancy, visit the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
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