How to Project Images From a Graphing Calculator

Projecting your calculator enhances the way you teach higher math to classes.

While students have probably always learned best through pictures and concrete examples, for today's youths -- weaned on TV, movies, video games and the Internet -- this is especially so. Such deeply ingrained visual modes of thought can make learning abstract subjects such as algebra and calculus particularly challenging. Projection calculators, which let instructors demonstrate how complicated problems should be done on their calculators, provide an effective solution to this problem. These calculators make abstract math concepts more concrete. They also reduce the need for repetition of instructions and save teachers from having to explain to each student individually how her calculator works.

Things You'll Need

• Overhead projector

Instructions

Texas Instruments ViewScreen Calculators

1. Place the View Screen panel on top of the overhead projector and plug both in.

2. Connect the ViewScreen calculator into the ViewScreen panel by plugging one end of the connection wire into its corresponding hole at the top of the graphing calculatior and the other end into its corresponding hole in the side of the ViewScreen panel.

3. Turn on the overhead projector, the ViewScreen panel and the graphing calculator. The image on the calculator's screen will be projected by the overhead.

Casio Projectable Calculators

1. Place a model of a Projectable Overhead Calculator, such as the RM-9000SET, onto an overhead projector.

2. Turn the calculator on.

3. Turn the overhead projector on. The image on the transparent screen will be projected by the overhead.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't stare directly into the overhead projector for long stretches of time, as this is harmful to your eyes.

References

• Texas Instruments: ViewScreen Panel Product Center
• Casio: RM-9000SET