Possible death of calculators in education?

[JimP]

(05-16-2017 11:35 AM)Maximilian Hohmann Wrote:  

(05-15-2017 09:08 PM)Han Wrote:  The interesting tidbit is that this thing has been approved for testing.

Interesting. Around here, smartphones are strictly banned from all kinds of class tests because students could use them for getting help form outside. Therefore a smartphone app will not easily replace a physical calculator that has no wireless connectivity.

The argument that this will save students $150 is disingenuous -- after all, smartphones can run into the several $100s even before monthly connection and data fees. And as you suggest, connectivity to the internet is a double-edged sword.

One might argue that it's more useful to train students how to use a powerful calculator that will help them all the way through college and into the workplace (where, for the most part, they might need more in the way of statistical and financial calculations than graphing exotic equations!) I'd much rather have a real calculator, with real buttons, than a phone application. At least the newer CAS models seem to have higher resolution screens, with backlighting (HP Prime?!) that add to the visibility.