TI-Nspire For Dummies

I had not purchased a new calculator for many years, and thought that the title "For Dummies" would mean that it would be very basic. It would probably be great for someone who was just upgrading from a similar TI calculator, but I needed to learn the most basic features about this calculator, and it was too advanced to be helpful for me.

This book is written for the benefit of its author and not that of the reader.
A tutorial book should be "to achieve this result, do the following". Instead, this book starts long dissertations about the calculator architecture and logic. Sort of like a car manual spending tons of pages on the theory of the combustion engine, when all that the car owner wanted was to know how to start the car and how to open the trunk..

This book talks about basic functions. I bought the calculator for chemistry and physics. I have been able to get programming and how to use the calculator from the Texas Instrument website and through Google.

If you need to know how to basically use the calculator then this book is for you.

By the way, I've never owned a TI so this was a very difficult calculator when I first got it.

This book (review) is intended for the teacher (or student) who is new to Nspire. In particular, it is for the teacher who wants to implement Nspire in the Fall and cannot attend a 3-Day seminar and/or who learns well from a book at your own pace.
Please note--I am writing this 7/1/2011. When reading the other reviews, check the date. I think the new book was released in June 2011 for the 2nd Edition.
A lot has been added with OS3.0 for the Nspire CX.
I'm a fanboy of Nspire and consider myself an Intermediate user. I read the book to strengthen my understanding. I teach high school math and want to be prepared for answering my students' questions. The book is fabulous. For about 20 bucks the book is invaluable. I consider it to be a personal tutor at my beck and call. I plan to make it available to my students as a reference guide. Not only that, I have some colleagues who would benefit from reading a section before I answer their specific questions. Granted it does not delve into advanced authoring, but it has all the essentials for getting started with the 6 apps (plus the Questions and DataQuest).
The online Getting Started and Guidebook from TI are also great resources. I like having another resource in book form. I like the convenience of several options. Books are handy!

What I like
He has a conversational and personal tone [p151, 242, 304]
He provides his advice when there are several ways to perform a task [p1, 112, 171, 241] This is helpful when discerning between the handheld and using a mouse/computer.
Lots of room in the margins to write notes to myself
You can jump in anywhere [however, sometimes he has to repeat directions on some basic procedures]
Easy to follow steps with screenshots
He is explicit and gives an example. Rather than just saying `You can perform many operations on lists.' He uses the phrase `For example...and mentions Sort Ascending' This allows my mind to hold onto that thought more securely. [p83, 273]
He has numerous Tips from his personal classroom experience [e.g. place the `sending' calc on the left and transmit to the right just like we read this sentence p48]

What I don't like
I want a Wiley/Dummy website where there is a video that corresponds to the book. This would be particularly helpful with `movement' examples like when he describes how to translate and stretch a parabola. [however, he does provide websites to videos p299]
Some of the screenshots have really tiny font--even with my glasses [p319]

My opinion is that teachers new to Nspire:
1) just can't imagine all that it can do, especially if they are competent on the TI-84. Dummies is a grand tour and showcases Nspire's capabilities (like graphing a parabola over an imported jpeg image).
2) when they do realize its potential, they may be temporarily overwhelmed. The book allows the reader to target specific topics (like Press-to-Test) at your own pace.

The book provides instant and easy access to every Nspire feature. So, I strongly advise they get Dummies and take the plunge! They won't regret it.

I've been using TI-Nspire CX CAS calculator (handheld device, gizmo, whatever the hell the authors call it) for a couple of years, and I find it extremely intuitive to use. Most of the functions I see are self-explanatory. Looking at the dictionary, it tells me exactly what the type and order of the inputs. Of course, it takes trial and error to get the hang of the calculator.

Recently, I picked up TI-Nspire For Dummies in hopes of learning something new that I might have overlooked. Shockingly, there is nothing useful or interesting in the book. I was skimming through a lot of the pages quite rapidly. The book just has nothing advanced to offer. It's a pretty pathetic book, I must say.

I also find the discursive writing to be a bit disconcerting because the authors tend to jump around a lot, going really too fast, without trying to be substantial and to the point in a slow manner. That's bad considering the fact the book is meant for tyros who might have trouble navigating though the calculator.

All in all, I can't really recommend TI-Nspire For Dummies; trial and error is the best way to learn how to use the TI-Nspire CX CAS calculator.

Purchase of the TI-Nspire CS/CAS calculator was required for my classes. I have been using software to graph functions and solve problems symbolically, and I didn't see the need for a miniature computer to do the same thing ... but I was wrong. The calculator is beautiful, and TI-Nspire for Dummies has really helped me learn how to use it. Sure, the calculator comes with a "getting started" file; but the book gives you so much more. You start out learning where things are located, then you begin to use the calculator. It's so nice to have a basic book with you on Day One! It's for beginners; and that's what we all are at first. What a wonderful way to learn math, too -- concepts unfolding before your eyes! Your precocious 10-year-old will like it. Your grandma (with her cheaters on) will like it. It's printed on cheap paper (sometimes a little smeared in my case), but that's fine, since that keeps the costs down and makes you feel just fine about highlighting and annotating. I absolutely recommend for beginners!

Adequately addressing the TI-Nspire CX and OS 3.0 between the covers of one book is no easy task. This book delivers on this difficult challenge. As stated early on, the TI-Nspire is much more than a calculator. Users have a tool that contains the power and potential to create documents to engage students in mathematical discovery. This book will help the reader harness that power and reach the potential envisioned for this tool.

The relaxed conversational tone of the book makes it an easy read with clear and concise instructions for executing the desired skills and features. The directions are accompanied by numerous screen shots to show what the user can expect to see on their handheld.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone currently owning or purchasing a TI-Nspire Clickpad, TI-Nspire Touchpad, or TI-Nspire CX. This book also provides an excellent exposition of the many features of this technology for anyone that is interested in seeing the array of features it has to offer prior to making the purchase of hardware and software.

You won't be a Dummie when you finish this read!

Any previous poor rating of this book were from reviewers referring to the 1st edition of TI-Nspire for Dummies. As the TI-Nspire was improved I couldn't recommend that book, but now with the 2nd edition I strongly recommend this as an excellent resource for students and teachers whether they are new to the TI-Nspire or have been using it for many years.

The deficiencies pointed out by other reviews have been addressed. There are great sections about CAS (Computer Algebra System) that can even help you decide if you want to get the TI-Nspire CX CAS that can be used on the PSAT, SAT, and AP exams, or if you want to get the TI-Nspire CX that can also be used on the IB and ACT exams. For those who want to get started with programming, clear examples are provided.
Even all the new 3.0 features are addressed, like new Question types, 3D, and the Vernier DataQuest application. If you don't have the colorful Texas Instruments Nspire CX N3/CLM/1L1 Graphing Calculator, all the information about 3.0 is still true, and there are special instructions if it is different on the Clickpad or Touchpad. (My recommendation would be to get the TI-Nspire CX CAS.)

Teachers who get the Ti-nspire Cx Teacher Bundle, that comes with the Teacher Software, will appreciate the classroom insights and valuable instructions for doing things like Press-to-Test.
When students go to the store and get a TI-Nspire CX it comes with the Student Software. With this book they will learn how to take advantage of so much more that this learning tool has to offer.

Techies will enjoy the short-cuts and little known tips from Jeff McCalla who is both a teacher and an author who has created some TI-Nspire files that have that WOW factor.

Myself and other members of the TI-Nspire Google Group endorse this book as a great follow up for teachers who attend workshops.

I received this book from my dog who retrieved it from the packaging and thought the cover to be quite tasty. The book binding holds together quite well, even with the strong teeth of a young English Pointer.

The information inside the cover is quite helpful, especially as I am trying to conquer the 3D work of the TI-Nspire 3.0 Operating System. Reading this book I feel like I am having a conversation with Jeff - he is a great writer - making what could have otherwise been a dull resource instead ENGAGING and PAGE-TURNING!

If you are new to TI-Nspire technology or are trying to transition from the TI-Nspire Clickpad or Touchpad to the TI-Nspire CX handheld, I recommend you get this book. And be sure to check out all the extra TIPS and TRICKS Jeff lists - you too could become a TI-Nspire Super User, with enough time and the right motivation.

Tonya Hancock
TI employee

Adequately addressing the TI-Nspire CX and OS 3.0 between the covers of one book is no easy task. This book delivers on this difficult challenge. As stated early on, the TI-Nspire is much more than a calculator. Users have a tool that contains the power and potential to create documents to engage students in mathematical discovery. This book will help the reader harness that power and reach the potential envisioned for this tool.

The relaxed conversational tone of the book makes it an easy read with clear and concise instructions for executing the desired skills and features. The directions are accompanied by numerous screen shots to show what the user can expect to see on their handheld.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone currently owning or purchasing a TI-Nspire Clickpad, TI-Nspire Touchpad, or TI-Nspire CX. This book also provides an excellent exposition of the many features of this technology for anyone that is interested in seeing the array of features it has to offer prior to making the purchase of hardware and software.

You won't be a Dummie when you finish this read!

Any previous poor rating of this book were from reviewers referring to the 1st edition of TI-Nspire for Dummies. As the TI-Nspire was improved I couldn't recommend that book, but now with the 2nd edition I strongly recommend this as an excellent resource for students and teachers whether they are new to the TI-Nspire or have been using it for many years.

The deficiencies pointed out by other reviews have been addressed. There are great sections about CAS (Computer Algebra System) that can even help you decide if you want to get the TI-Nspire CX CAS that can be used on the PSAT, SAT, and AP exams, or if you want to get the TI-Nspire CX that can also be used on the IB and ACT exams. For those who want to get started with programming, clear examples are provided.
Even all the new 3.0 features are addressed, like new Question types, 3D, and the Vernier DataQuest application. If you don't have the colorful Texas Instruments Nspire CX N3/CLM/1L1 Graphing Calculator, all the information about 3.0 is still true, and there are special instructions if it is different on the Clickpad or Touchpad. (My recommendation would be to get the TI-Nspire CX CAS.)

Teachers who get the Ti-nspire Cx Teacher Bundle, that comes with the Teacher Software, will appreciate the classroom insights and valuable instructions for doing things like Press-to-Test.
When students go to the store and get a TI-Nspire CX it comes with the Student Software. With this book they will learn how to take advantage of so much more that this learning tool has to offer.

Techies will enjoy the short-cuts and little known tips from Jeff McCalla who is both a teacher and an author who has created some TI-Nspire files that have that WOW factor.

Myself and other members of the TI-Nspire Google Group endorse this book as a great follow up for teachers who attend workshops.

I read TI-Nspire for Dummies 2nd Edition from cover to cover and found it extremely informative and entertaining at the same time. The authors inject humor appropriately as they explain in detail how to accomplish all levels of tasks: beginner, intermediate, advanced. With the use of many helpful screen shots, they illustrate how to do just about everything on the TI-Nspire handheld -- whether you are using the color CX version or the touchpad and clickpad versions. This is a great resource for students and teachers new to this technology, but it is also great for someone like me who has been using TI-Nspire handhelds for years. There were several cool things that I learned that will make my life easier when using TI-Nspire.
I also like the explanation of how to use the computer software. Since the student software comes free with the purchase of the handhelds, we need to have our students take advantage of how to use this powerful and free software.
Readers will appreciate the math/technology cartoons and the helpful tips that are throughout the book.
You can tell that this book was written by teachers because they supply lots of examples on how to utilize this technology in the classroom from algebra through calculus. Not just what the buttons do but also how to use this technology to develop conceptual understanding. Great book -- I recommend it highly.

Although it is written in very clear language. It does not go into all the features of the calculator. Instead it only dwells on the basic math functions. It does not explain how to use any of the menu functions.

I received this book from my dog who retrieved it from the packaging and thought the cover to be quite tasty. The book binding holds together quite well, even with the strong teeth of a young English Pointer.

The information inside the cover is quite helpful, especially as I am trying to conquer the 3D work of the TI-Nspire 3.0 Operating System. Reading this book I feel like I am having a conversation with Jeff - he is a great writer - making what could have otherwise been a dull resource instead ENGAGING and PAGE-TURNING!

If you are new to TI-Nspire technology or are trying to transition from the TI-Nspire Clickpad or Touchpad to the TI-Nspire CX handheld, I recommend you get this book. And be sure to check out all the extra TIPS and TRICKS Jeff lists - you too could become a TI-Nspire Super User, with enough time and the right motivation.

Tonya Hancock
TI employee

good book, helped me understand my calculator even though this is the first time a so advanced as this. has everything you need to know and what is not well XD (just kidding), has from the basics to the really useful.

Sooooooo very limited in scope. Nothing here is relevant for an engineering student. Was cast aside in disgust, and now sits on our shelf. Best for a high schooler who needs to graph. I'll pass it along eventually.