 |
 
Graphing calculators are commonly used in high school math
and science classes. Distance education is no different, except
the teacher is not physically in the classroom with the students.
But unlike the normal classroom, viewing what the teacher is
doing on the calculator keypad is easily accomplished by placing
the calculator under the "flexcam". This way the
entire class can clearly see everything, far more easily in
fact than
in the normal classroom.
 
Viewing the data from the calculator's LCD display is even easier.
A device called the TI Presenter connects by a cable directly
to the calculator. It
converts the calculator's image into a video signal which is
sent to the control room. The students see a crisp black and
white display of the calculator output as a full-screen image
on their monitors.
Another tool for distance education is the CBL or "Computer
Based Laboratory". These are used in conjunction with graphing
calculators to collect and graph data quickly and easily. |
| Each
CBL can be used with several kinds of probes. Each probe
is designed for collecting a specific type of data. This
interdisciplinary flexibility makes it suitable for a great
variety of experiments in mathematics, chemistry, biology
and physics classes. Available probe sensors include: |
 |
- Temperature
- Voltage
- Light
- PH
- Motion
- Conductivity
- Bio
Pressure
|
- Pressure
- Relative
Humidity
- Dissolved
Oxygen
- Colorimeter
- EKG
- Heart
Rate
- Respiration
Belt
|
CBLs
are also less expensive than conventional laboratory test
equipment. A classroom lab can be equipped with several units
for use by the students instead of having one expensive piece
of lab equipment that could only be used by the instructor.
The hands-on aspect of the CBLs provides students with a
more meaningful and educational lab experience. |
|
|
 |
