Calculators (GDC)

Video Tutorials for the TiNspire and Casio calculators (HP Prime to follow . . . .).

Below you will find links to a growing number of video tutorials on how to use your TiNspire or Casio calculator, categorised by module: Number and Algebra, Functions, Geometry and trigonometry, Statistics and probability, Calculus and the "toolkit" for mathematical exploration.

Studies students and teachers have been used to having a GDC in all external examinations. For SL and HL students, and perhaps more significantly, their teachers, with the
2014-20 syllabus having its final examination in May/June 2020, the move away from a calculator and non-calculator paper is significant.  

In particular, the HL Paper 3 is designed to test students' ability to model situations and solve problems gradually over a period of around 30 minutes for each of two questions. Using the GDC not only to calculate, but also to investigate and experiment with the information given in the question, and to test the validity of their approaches, will likely offer a signficant advantage. Personally, I am looking at moving a number of the investigative activities and tasks (and perhaps all . . .) that I used to do using Geogebra, Desmos, Autograph, over to the calculator, so as to increase student's familiarity, and comfort, with their calculators. I often say to students at the start of the IB, when they learn to drive they'll have to master the mechanics of coordinating the clutch and gear stick etc. before their mind can be 100% free to focus on evaluating the road and any unexpected situations that arise. The same is true of the IB exams. Students really need to have mastered their way around the calculator, so that their minds are 100% free to focus on the question, context and mathematics they might/could use to solve each question (and hence avoid the risk of a crash!).

The first link below: "Which Graphics display calculator (GDC) for your students?" is a brief review of the TiNspire, Casio CG20 and HP Prime aimed at providing some concrete 'compare and contrast' examples to help inform your school's decision over which calculator may be best for your students.


Which Graphics Display Calculator (GDC) for your students?

This page offers some concrete 'compare and contrast' examples to help inform your school's decision over which calculator may be best for your students, and classes. 


In addition to the links below, to get a quick overview of a variety of techniques and 'how to's', screen capture calculator solutions are offered in the solutions to the Specimen   Papers 1 and Paper 2

1.Number and Algebra

2.Functions

3.Geometry and trigonometry

4.Statistics and probability

5.Calculus

"Toolkit" for mathematical exploration.

Selected Pages

All materials on this website are for the exclusive use of teachers and students at subscribing schools for the period of their subscription. Any unauthorised copying or posting of materials on other websites is an infringement of our copyright and could result in your account being blocked and legal action being taken against you.