Texas Instruments Nurtures Biology Students' Interactive Learning with TI-Nspire Technology

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Jul 11, 2011, 10:00 ET

DALLAS, July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- You can take the student out of biology class for the summer, but you can't take biology out of the world around them. Whether at the lake, the park or their own backyard, students can take advantage of the long break to learn more about how living systems work.

"The study of biology is becoming more and more important in understanding the world around us," said Erick Archer, science subject matter specialist for Texas Instruments Education Technology. "For example, with an aging population, demand for medical solutions is at a premium. Understanding living systems, from food-borne pathogens to the physiology of humans, is in high demand. This understanding starts in biology classrooms."

Texas Instruments brings life to summer study by posting biology-themed activities on its Facebook page throughout this week. Through these activities, students will be able to explore biology concepts that are around them all the time and understand why the study of biology is so important. For example, one activity focuses on genetic traits.

The self-contained activities also help students discover the powerful teaching and learning capabilities of TI-Nspire™ technology even if they don't own the TI-Nspire™ CX handheld or the TI-Nspire™ Software version 3.0. Students will be able to access the activities through the TI-Nspire Document Player, a free online tool that enables anyone to share and explore

TI-Nspire documents created with TI-Nspire computer software.

When students return to the biology classroom this fall, educators can take advantage of TI-Nspire technology in both the lab and the classroom. TI brings together a suite of interactive science teaching and learning tools including the color-display TI-Nspire CX handheld,

TI-Nspire Software version 3.0, and the new Vernier DataQuest™ application for TI-Nspire.

More than 60 data collection sensors by Vernier Software & Technology and TI are compatible with TI-Nspire technology. Topics ranging from water quality and cell biology to genetics and anatomy are well suited to hands-on experimentation with tools such CO2 and water quality sensors to blood pressure and heart rate monitors.

"The TI-Nspire CX handheld's full-color display and its ability to deliver full-function interactive lessons using color graphics, photographs, animations and simulations give biology educators more options than ever before to create interactive lessons for biology," Jeffrey Lukens, an AP Biology teacher at Roosevelt High School, in Sioux Falls, S.D. Lukens also is an instructor for TI's Teachers Teaching with Technology™ (T3 ™) professional development organization. "By combining interactive lesson capabilities with TI's simple-to-use data collection tools, biology teachers now have a single full-function system that works in both the classroom and the lab."

The new TI-Nspire CX handheld, with its 16-bit, 320 x 240 pixel, high-resolution color display, helps students better visualize formulas and scientific equations; interpret data, charts and graphics; and view full-color images and animations to highlight concepts and deepen understanding. The TI-Nspire CX handheld is permitted for use on SAT*, AP* Biology, PSAT/NSMQT*, IB®, and ACT® college entrance exams, as well as many state standardized tests.

At retail, the TI-Nspire CX handheld comes with the TI-Nspire Student Software for home use. The TI-Nspire Student Software includes the same features and functionality as the handheld enabling students to work either on the handheld or a computer and transfer documents between the two. TI-Nspire Teacher Software is included in the TI-Nspire CX Teacher Bundles, available through instructional product dealers. The software works on both Mac® and PC computers.

For a list of retailers and detailers where TI-Nspire products are available, visit http://education.ti.com/educationportal/sites/US/nonProductSingle/purchase.html. For more information on TI-Nspire CX handhelds, the TI-Nspire Lab Station or the full line of TI-Nspire technology and resources, visit http://education.ti.com/tinspire.

About Texas Instruments

Education Technology, a business unit of Texas Instruments, provides a wide range of tools connecting the classroom experience with real-world applications, helping students and teachers to explore mathematics and science interactively. TI's products and services are tested vigorously against recognized third-party research, which shows that the use of graphing calculators helps improve the mathematical skills of students and their attitudes toward mathematics. For more information, visit education.ti.com.

Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN) helps customers solve problems and develop new electronics that make the world smarter, healthier, safer, greener and more fun. A global semiconductor company, TI innovates through manufacturing, design and sales operations in more than 30 countries. For more information, visit ti.com.

*SAT and AP are registered trademarks of the College Entrance Examination Board, which was not involved in the production of and does not endorse these products. PSAT/NSMQT is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation, neither of which was involved in the production of, nor do they endorse these products. Visit http://www.collegeboard.com/ for more information. ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc., which was not involved in the production of and does not endorse these products. IB is a registered trademark of the International Baccalaureate Organization, which was not involved in the production of and does not endorse these products. Policies are subject to change.

Mac® is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc.

DataQuest is a trademark of Vernier Software & Technology

SOURCE Texas Instruments