keithpruitt's Full Review: Casio FX260SLR-SCHL-IH Scientific Calculator
On January 1, 2002, the GED Testing Service will introduce a new GED Test for the future. The equivalency test is changing in order to update its content to that which is generally being tested in today's high schools and to modernize to higher expectations as demonstrated by national standards.
During the course of this change (the first major change since 1988), much has been made of the changes in the math sections of the test. There have been substantial changes to most of the test sections (Writing, Reading, Science, Social Studies and Math), most reflecting higher standards in testing critical thinking and reasoning skills, but the one generating the greatest deal of talk is that having to do with the calculator section of the math test.
For the first time, the GED Testing Service will allow a calculator to be used on a section of the math exam. This has caused many teachers a great deal of concern. In the presentations which I have done concerning these changes, I have repeatedly urged teachers to calm realizing that if a student does not know how to do the math, the calculator will not do it for them.
This brings us to the calculator. The GED Testing Service has chosen the Casio fx-260 Solar Fraction Calculator as the official calculator for the GED 2002 Test. In a televised presentation, one of the instructors on the board who was in charge of selecting this calculator gave an interesting reason for this selection. Literally, he said they had chosen this model because he had had one for years and it is still working. Yeah. It's solar powered! The sun is still shining.
But to the basic observer, this calculator is a fascinating tool or a demon to be mastered. Capable of doing multiple functioning without having to break a complex problem into segments, this calculator is beyond basic leading to the need to teach students first how to use the calculator.
This summer, I sat in a session in which the calculator was presented to us salesreps (I am a salesrep for a publishing company which supplies material for the GED Test. In fact, we are the supplier of the Official GED Practice Test). While the calculator comes with a detailed worksheet filled with examples of how to operate the computations of everything from basic math to trig and everything in between.
At first the calculator was quite challenging (and I have a Master's Degree), so I can imagine how difficult this calculator will be to those at the GED level. But on a practical point, I find this calculator to be everything that one would want in a sophisticated mathematical device. Want to figure interest on a money market account. This calculator will do it. Want to do logarithms, fractions. square roots, sexagesimal functions, continuous calculations? This baby will handle every problem.
Here's an example: Let's say you want to figure 12% of 1500. You go 1500 X 12 Shift %. Or how about this long continuous problem (53 +6)+(23-8)+(56 X 2)+(99 Divided by 4) you go 53 + 6 = shift min 23 - 8 M+ 56 X 2 M+ 99 Divided By 4 M+ MR and you get the answer 210.75. Cool, huh?
While I know this calculator will prove a major challenge for both GED students and instructors, I find this calculator to be a great tool in doing advanced math. I use it on a regular basis and have found it quite helpful. If you are looking for a calculator for your student this Christmas, or just need a reliable calculator to help balance your checkbook, I highly suggest this calculator.
The GED Testing Service in Washington, DC is selling this calculator for around $7.00. You can get it at places like Walmart for around $10.00. Happy calculating.
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