Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I have owned numerous calculators by HP, TI, Sharp, Casio, etc., but this new Classpad 300 Plus that was just released a few weeks ago with Casio's latest operating system (OS 3.0) and Classpad Manager 3.0 is just fabulous. It is now in common use in Europe, especially in Germany and also in Australia and in New Zealand. If you purchase(d) the version with OS 2.0, you can still upgrade electronically to the newest version using the Classpad Manager Version 3.0 directly which has a number of very nice new features/functions. This calculator should also be in common use in the USA as well, but regrettably the financial dominance of TI in our marketplace (and the impending arrival of the new TI NSpire calculator) make the likelihood of its acceptance very soon quite small, unless people like myself write reviews like this to promote educators to really get involved with this new product. The real advantage of both the Classpad as well as the TI NSpire calculator (which is not a pen-based product like the Classpad) is the great software that installs on PC's so that a complete emulation of its operations is possible even without the calculator being physically available. It addition, however the Casio (OS 3.0) will do now do Dirac Delta functions, Heaviside Step functions, Fourier and Laplace Transforms (including Fast Fourier Transforms, i.e., FFT's), First order ordinary differential equations, financial analyses, and of course it already performed complex number analyses, etc.
The operating feature on the Classpad that appeals to me the most however is the pen-based drag and drop operations using the Computer Algebra System (CAS) and the interactive menu between each of the numerous types of submenus on the device. Any operation worked on in one area (Graphs and Tables for example) can readily be copied and pasted into another area (Statistics, Spreadsheets, Sequences, etc) just to name a few of the numerous possibilities. The E-activity submenu on the Casio supports presentations to an audience and is the analog for the Classpad of the TI NSpire's 4 screens of information that can all be put on to a single screen at once (analyzing a problem using a geometrical representation in the form of a drawing or a picture, a word statement of the problem, an analytic or numerical equation solution and a graph of the results). Finally, the results can all be ported back and forth and printed/stored, etc. between the Classpad Manager software/emulator and the calculator itself which is simply fantastic to use. I have had this for almost a month now and I am just begining to appreciate what it can do for me daily in my work as a scientist. If students get exposed to these devices in a late middle school curriculum and beyond (after they first master many of the basics of mathematics and science), in my opinion they will want to continue to grow into math and science in their later years and become excited leaders in science and engineering that this country has been famous for having for most of the last 60 years.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Casio - Pen-based Graphing Calculator (CLASSPAD300)
MODEL- CLASSPAD300VENDOR- Casio CalculatorsFEATURES- ClassPad300 Pen-based Graphing Calculator The ClassPad 300 comes packed with an impressive collection of applications that support self-study like 3D Graphing Geometry eActivity and lots more. A big 160x240 pixel LCD touch screen enables easy and intuitive stylus-based operation. Uses an intuitive pull-down menu interface that simplifies even complex operations. Solutions expressions and other items can be selected with the tap of the stylus. Supports drag and drop copyand paste and other pen-based operations that help minimize key operations. Versatile graphing tools for 3D graphing and drawingof geometric figures which provides plenty of support for the math studies of students. Presentation application provides the teachers with tools for creating materials to promote student understanding of mathematical concepts and problem solving processes. eActivity application allows the creation of eActivities that can include figures expressions and explanations.* Pen Touch operation-Computer-like intuitive operations for menu selection button operations etc. Drag & Drop supports dragging of an input expression to a graph screen for instant graphing.* CAS (Computer Algebra Systems) - Natural display input enables input of fractions differentials integrals Sum calculations lim calculations and other expressions in the same format as that used in mathematics texts. - Function Conversion function - Algebra assistant * eActivity Application - Creation- Buttons for expression processing text statements and eActivity function recall.- Each teacher
Click here for more information about Casio - Pen-based Graphing Calculator (CLASSPAD300)
