5 ms·

Why have no edtechs created a low cost version of the TI-83/84? One that mirrors the functionality of the TI calcs so that they can still be used with textbooks

Why have no edtechs created a low cost version of the TI-83/84? One that mirrors the functionality of the TI calcs so that they can still be used with textbooks that are dependent on those. The article estimates the TI's cost $15-20 to make, but even that seems very high for what they are. I imagine the harder part is getting approval from the organizations that administer standardized tests like College Board and the states themselves.

aidenn0 7y ago
There are a lot of buttons. Those probably push the BOM up. If you switched to using a shitty membrane keypad you could probably save a lot of money.
- Slartie 7y ago
  If I remember the innards of my TI-83 correctly (I used it during school 15 years ago, added LED lighting to the display and tore it apart for that purpose) Texas Instruments already uses a shitty membrane keypad. At least I don't remember seeing lots of microswitches.
  - aidenn0 7y ago
    It's possible. I'm old enough that I had an 82.
- buttonemuu 7y ago
  How are the buttons different from a $12 Casio fx-300ES for example?
- mkl 7y ago
  I don't think I've used a TI calculator (they're not in NZ much), but with the sole exception of my HP 48G every make and model of calculator I've used in the past 30+ years has used a crappy membrane keypad.
bitwize 7y ago
This is literally like asking why no biotechs have come in and disrupted, say, the CPAP machine market with lower cost alternatives. Calculators used in university entrance examinations must be approved and certified by THE COLLEGE BOARD™, who will only approve specific models and not workalikes. The stated reason for this is to prevent cheating, but as usual the creation of monopolies who can then charge what they like is a nice side benefit, if not the primary benefit.
- BoorishBears 7y ago
  On one hand, you're right, there's a limited number of accepted calculators But on the other, there are a newer entries on the list that seem totally unrelated to the incumbents like Casio and HP, like this one: https://www.numworks.com/ https://www.numworks.com/ It makes me wonder what the actual certification process looks like, maybe it's just adding things like exam mode and presenting it to the board
criddell 7y ago
I think it's time to rethink the nature of the tests. Open up the calculator restriction to any model that is not networked in any way. My kids are in high school now and it seems like what the tests are really measuring is the ability for the kids to take a test. The SAT feels especially useless as an indicator of anything other than that.
- edflsafoiewq 7y ago
  Just drop the calculator portion.
  - criddell 7y ago
    Why? Being able to use tools like a calculator is pretty valuable too.
- tropo 7y ago
  College Board also wants to make it difficult to copy down exam questions that could get reused. For this reason, calculators with QWERTY keyboards are banned. Evidently there is no problem with DVORAK, and nobody would ever learn to type quickly on an ABCDEF keyboard.

aidenn0 7y ago

There are a lot of buttons. Those probably push the BOM up. If you switched to using a shitty membrane keypad you could probably save a lot of money.

Slartie 7y ago
If I remember the innards of my TI-83 correctly (I used it during school 15 years ago, added LED lighting to the display and tore it apart for that purpose) Texas Instruments already uses a shitty membrane keypad. At least I don't remember seeing lots of microswitches.
- aidenn0 7y ago
  It's possible. I'm old enough that I had an 82.
buttonemuu 7y ago
How are the buttons different from a $12 Casio fx-300ES for example?
mkl 7y ago
I don't think I've used a TI calculator (they're not in NZ much), but with the sole exception of my HP 48G every make and model of calculator I've used in the past 30+ years has used a crappy membrane keypad.

bitwize 7y ago

This is literally like asking why no biotechs have come in and disrupted, say, the CPAP machine market with lower cost alternatives. Calculators used in university entrance examinations must be approved and certified by THE COLLEGE BOARD™, who will only approve specific models and not workalikes. The stated reason for this is to prevent cheating, but as usual the creation of monopolies who can then charge what they like is a nice side benefit, if not the primary benefit.

BoorishBears 7y ago
On one hand, you're right, there's a limited number of accepted calculators But on the other, there are a newer entries on the list that seem totally unrelated to the incumbents like Casio and HP, like this one: https://www.numworks.com/ https://www.numworks.com/ It makes me wonder what the actual certification process looks like, maybe it's just adding things like exam mode and presenting it to the board

criddell 7y ago

I think it's time to rethink the nature of the tests. Open up the calculator restriction to any model that is not networked in any way. My kids are in high school now and it seems like what the tests are really measuring is the ability for the kids to take a test. The SAT feels especially useless as an indicator of anything other than that.

edflsafoiewq 7y ago
Just drop the calculator portion.
- criddell 7y ago
  Why? Being able to use tools like a calculator is pretty valuable too.
tropo 7y ago
College Board also wants to make it difficult to copy down exam questions that could get reused. For this reason, calculators with QWERTY keyboards are banned. Evidently there is no problem with DVORAK, and nobody would ever learn to type quickly on an ABCDEF keyboard.