Minneapolis math teachers trade calculators for smartphone app

OK, class — pull out your smartphones, please.

It’s not the conventional way to begin math class, but neither is Sara Van Der Werf’s calculator alternative at Minneapolis South High School. Instead of banking on clunky and pricey TI-84 calculators, her kids use a free graphing calculator app on their mobile devices.

Students pinch to zoom into graphs of algebraic equations on the Desmos app. They touch curves to show maximums and minimums. Best of all, they can crunch equations, whether in class or at home, without having to buy a costly calculating tool.

http://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-math-teachers-trade-calculators-for-smartphone-app/394055771/