College Grant Program Sponsors TI Workshop
(Press Release 02-27-09)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

Submitted story and photo

Texas Instruments Educational Technology Consultants Bill Caroscio and David Young recently led twenty-seven area teachers during Texas Instruments workshops highlighting the feature applications of the TI-Nspire calculator. The three-day workshops were sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College's GEAR UP grant. The professional development is part of an on-going partnership with Texas Instruments.

Coroscio conducted the math workshop which focused on using the TI-Nspire in Algebra instruction. The TI-Nspire handheld technology dramatically links graphing environments with interactive geometry, spreadsheets, and symbolic expressions. This allows students to investigate problem situations from multiple perspectives; numeric, algebraic, geometric, and verbal. Activities were modeled and participants had the opportunity to work through a number of activities that can be used in their classrooms. Time was also spent on learning the features of this new technology tool.

Young conducted the science workshop which began with an orientation to the TI-Nspire handheld. After spending some time learning about the Document Model and the nature of the many applications of the Nspire, the group moved on to data collection. Participants used the EasyTemp probe for hands-on exploration of Newton's Law of Cooling, the CBR2 for several experiences with motion, the Gas Pressure sensor to explore Boyle's Law, and the Dual Range Force probe to investigate the relationship between mass and force. Participants were left with the challenge of planning some investigation for their classes, and to outline what equipment and training needs they anticipated.

Teachers attending the workshop received a TI-Nspire calculator for their use in the classroom. They learned graphing functions, modes, tables, math and scientific functions, split screen manipulation, programming, and archiving/unarchiving features.

Math teachers attending were: Jerry Mathews, Buffalo Valley; Lyndon Howze, Clayton; Patti Brannon, Crowder; Jaclyn Ward, Crowder; Cecil Hallmark, Haileyville; Selina Riley, Haileyville; Jason Bates, Indianola; Chuck Geis, McAlester; Peggy McBeath, McAlester; Victoria Rager, McAlester; Brenda Burnside, McAlester; Patricia Perrin, McAlester; Deward Palmer, McCurtain; Tonya McKnight, Moyers; Donola Battles, Pittsburg; Lisa Hilburn, Red Oak; Amanda Martin, Whitesboro.

Science teachers attending were: Jim Wasson, Clayton; Cassie Beare, Haileyville; Merredith Newman, Haileyville; Pamela Logan, LeFlore; Christy Self, McAlester; Carol Aldridge, McCurtain; Clark Bruner, McCurtain; Lynne Balzer, Red Oak; Judy Phillips, Whitesboro.

Eastern Oklahoma State College received a $6.7 million federal GEAR UP grant and is in the third year of implementation. Eastern has partnered with 23 area schools to provide students, teachers, and parents with additional educational opportunities.

Front Row Left to Right:
David Young, Texas Instruments; Jim Wasson, Clayton Public School; Jason Bates, Indianola Public School; Lyndon Howze, Clayton Public School; Bill Caroscio, Texas Instruments; Carol Aldridge, McCurtain Public School; Chuck Geis, McAlester Key Academy.

2nd Row:
Jaclyn Ward, Crowder; Cassie Beare, Haileyville Public School; Brenda Burnside, McAlester Public School; Patricia Perrin, McAlester Public School; Selina Riley, Haileyville Public School; Cecil Hallmark, Haileyville Public School; Judy Phillips, Whitesboro Public School; Lynne Balzer, Red Oak Public School; Patti Brannon, Crowder Public School; Tonya McKnight, Moyers Public School.

Back Row:
Peggy McBeath, McAlester Public School; Victoria Rager, McAlester Public School; Amanda Martin, Whitesboro Public School; Pamela Logan, LeFlore Public School; Merredith Newman, Haileyville Public School; Christy Self, McAlester Public School; Lisa Hilburn, Red Oak Public School; Jerry Mathews, Buffalo Valley Public School; and Clark Bruner, McCurtain Public School.
NOT PICTURED: Donola Battles, Pittsburg Public Schools & Deward Palmer, McCurtain Public School