The Caliper

News for Users of TI Technology

VST Apps:A New Application for TI-83 Plus Users

Users of TI calculators and LabPro or CBL 2 generally use the DataMate program for most of their data collection. DataMate is a versatile, easy-to- use, yet powerful program, that supports the vast majority of our sensors. Over the past few years, we have developed separate programs for special sensors such as our drop counter, photogates, radiation monitors, etc. and for special purposes such as distance and velocity graph matching. Each of these programs is individually available free on our web site. For users of the TI-83 Plus and TI-83 Plus Silver Edition users, we recently combined these programs into one application that can be stored in and run from the Flash memory of the calculator. Having these programs in one application makes it easier to access them. They also save RAM, which can be used for data storage. This application, called VST Apps, contains each of these programs within the single application.

• DatMatch—supports graph matching activities with the Vernier Motion Detector.
• DataGate—supports photogates and Smart Pulleys™.
• DataRad—to be used with our Radiation Monitor and Student Radiation Monitor.
• DaRotary—supports data collection with rotary motion sensors.
• DataDrop—to be used with our new Drop Counter.
FunctGen—supports the analog out feature of the Vernier LabPro.

TI-83 Plus vs.the TI-83 Plus Silver Edition

Quite often we are asked to recommend a calculator for use in science and math. At the high school and introductory college level, the choice is between the TI-83 Plus and the TI-83 Plus Silver Edition. One difference between these two calculators is that the TI-83 Plus Silver Edition includes a TI-GRAPH LINK cable but the TI-83 Plus does not. In addition, the Silver Edition comes pre-loaded with applications that are normally sold as extras. These applications include CellSheet™, Fundamental Topics in Science, GeoMaster, Organizer, and Periodic Table. The Silver Edition also has 10 times the Flash ROM as the TI-83 Plus. This extra Flash memory is very valuable because it provides extra space for all of the applications that have been and are being developed for the TI-83 Plus. The many extras of the TI-83 Plus Silver Edition give it the edge over the regular TI-83 Plus.

Vernier and Texas Instruments Collaborations

Vernier and TI are collaborating on three projects that will help you incorporate TI handheld data collection technology into your classroom.

Online Subscription to Science Data Collection with Vernier and TI Handhelds

TI has developed powerful online subscriptions for the use of TI technology in math, science, English, social studies and world languages. These resources let you search by topic for activities that are correlated to popular textbooks and national standards. We have been working with TI to include our lab manuals in this online subscription service. All of the following books will soon be a part of this subscription: Biology with Calculators, Chemistry with Calculators, Physics with Calculators, Physical Science with Calculators, Earth Science with Calculators, Middle School Science with Calculators, and Water Quality with Calculators. A subscription fee of $85 gives you and all of the teachers at your school online access to our lab manuals. Information is available at http://education.ti.com/us/product/explorations/overview/overview.html.

Professional Development from T³ and Vernier

• Vernier/T³ Biology with Texas Instruments Handhelds
• Vernier/T³ Chemistry with Texas Instruments Handhelds
• Vernier/T³ Earth Science with Texas Instruments Handhelds
• Vernier/T³ Middle School Science with Texas Instruments Handhelds
• Vernier/T³ Physics with Texas Instruments Handhelds

Each institute allows school districts to develop local teacher leaders to serve as trainers and mentors, which in turn creates long-term systemic professional development. Information is available at http://education.ti.com/us/training/t3product/t3_cbl_cbr.html.

Online Training for Science Data Collection

TI and Vernier are also developing an online course to introduce teachers to data collection with CBL 2 or LabPro and TI handhelds. This course is appropriate for pre-service, middle school and secondary science teachers. It introduces ways of incorporating TI handheld data collection technology into your science curriculum to enrich instruction and extend your students’ comprehension. Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive 35 hours of Continuing Education Credits. The cost is $225 per participant. Information is available at http://education.ti.com/us/t3/onlinecourses/onlinecourses.html.