education.ti.com

Schools use TI graphing calculators because they are built for the classroom rather than the internet: they have no internet access and no social media, so students stay on task, and teachers worry less about cheating. They are also approved for use on most college entrance, high-stakes and state tests, so students can practice on the same device they will use on exam day. One calculator covers math, science and cross-curricular work from middle grades through college.

What makes a TI calculator different from a phone or tablet

The core difference is what the device cannot do. According to Texas Instruments, its graphing calculators offer "No internet. No social media. No distractions." That design choice matters in two ways:

• For students: the calculator does one job, so attention stays on the lesson instead of notifications or apps.
• For teachers: with fewer ways to access outside information, teachers "worry less about cheating and focus more on student learning."

A phone can run a calculator app, but it also runs everything else. A dedicated graphing calculator removes that trade-off.

Exam approval is the practical reason

TI states that its graphing and scientific calculators are "approved for use on most college entrance, high-stakes and state tests." The company also notes that "a key to exam success is a calculator students know."

That combination is why schools standardize on a model: if students use the same calculator in class all year, the exam-day device is already familiar. Before buying for a specific test, confirm the current approved-model list for that exam, since approval rules are set by the testing organizations, not by the calculator maker.

One device across subjects and grade levels

TI positions a graphing calculator as "a one-time investment" that "provides a smart, cross-curricular solution that follows students from middle grades and high school to college." In practice, that means:

• The same device supports math, science, STEM and coding work.
• Students do not need to relearn a new calculator when they move up a grade.
• Schools can build lessons and professional development around one platform.

TI also offers online and computer versions of its most popular calculators, which can help when a physical unit is not available.

Support for teachers, not just students

Classroom adoption usually depends on what teachers get. TI points to "hundreds of premade math activities to drop in everyday lesson plans," plus resources organized by subject (math, science, STEM, financial literacy, computer science) and professional development "for teachers by teachers." Schools and districts can also contact a local TI representative to discuss solutions for their needs.

How to decide whether this fits your classroom or school

Use these conditions to judge fit:

If your students mainly need basic arithmetic, a scientific or basic model may be enough; the graphing models matter most when courses require graphing, data analysis or exam-specific functions. To compare specific models by exam approval and course features, use TI's comparison charts on its "Find the calculator right for you" page.

Start with the exam, not the model. On education.ti.com, TI states that its graphing and scientific calculators are approved for most college entrance, high-stakes and state tests, and it directs buyers to comparison charts that show what's approved for exams, course listings and key features. Use those charts to narrow the field, then match the calculator type to the subjects and grade levels you actually take. Confirm the specific approval for every test you sit for, since "most tests" is not the same as "your test."

Step 1: Check exam approval first

Exam rules are the hard constraint; features and color come after.

1. Open the "Find the calculator right for you" section and the comparison charts linked there.
2. For each exam you plan to take, look up that exam's calculator policy and confirm the model appears on its approved list.
3. Note that TI describes its graphing and scientific calculators as approved for most college entrance, high-stakes and state tests. Treat that as a starting point and verify per exam.

Expected result: a short list of models that are allowed on all your target exams.

Common snag: a model that is fine for coursework may not be permitted on a particular high-stakes test. Checking the exam policy before you buy avoids a second purchase.

Step 2: Match the calculator type to your courses

TI organizes its products into graphing, scientific, financial, basic and elementary calculators. The type should follow your subject and grade level, not the other way around.

TI also positions a graphing calculator as a one-time, cross-curricular investment that follows a student from middle grades and high school into college. That argument holds if your exams allow graphing models; if they don't, a scientific model may be the safer buy.

Step 3: Weigh features and colors within the approved list

Once exam approval and course fit are settled, the remaining differences are features and appearance.

• Features: use the comparison charts to line up the approved models on the capabilities your courses actually use.
• Colors: TI markets color options for its graphing calculators, and the "Find your color" link lets you browse them. Color is a preference, not an approval factor, so decide it last.
• Online and computer versions: TI notes it offers online and computer versions of its most popular calculators. These can be useful for practice, but they are not a substitute for checking what hardware your exam room permits.

Step 4: Use the free resources to prepare

A calculator you know is an exam advantage, and TI supports that with free material:

• Hundreds of premade math activities that teachers can drop into lesson plans.
• Subject-specific resources for STEM and coding, science, computer science and financial literacy.
• Tutorials, guidebooks and professional development webinars.

Students preparing independently can use the tutorials and guidebooks to learn a model's operation before test day.

Step 5: Buying and school-level decisions

• Individual buyers: use the "Where to Buy" page to find purchasing options. The site does not publish prices there, so confirm cost and availability with the retailer.
• Schools and districts: TI directs leaders to contact a local TI representative to discuss solutions for their needs; the "Find my rep" link starts that process.

Quick decision path

1. List your upcoming exams and look up each one's calculator policy.
2. Use TI's comparison charts to keep only models approved for all of them.
3. Match the type (graphing, scientific, financial, basic) to your subjects and grade level.
4. Compare features among the survivors, then pick a color.
5. Learn the model with TI's free tutorials and guidebooks before exam day.

Teachers can find free lessons, activities, and training directly on education.ti.com. The site offers hundreds of premade math activities for everyday lesson plans, subject-specific resources for STEM, coding, science, computer science, and financial literacy, plus professional development, webinars, and tutorials. Calculator tutorials and guidebooks are also available for learning the hardware itself. All of these resources are organized under the site's Resources section, which is free to browse and use.

Free Classroom Lessons and Activities

The site's teacher resources section is built around ready-to-use material rather than lesson plans teachers have to write from scratch. According to the site, there are "hundreds of premade math activities to drop in everyday lesson plans for busy teachers."

For teachers outside math, the site directs visitors to choose a subject, with dedicated resource areas for:

• Math — the largest collection of premade activities
• Science — including STEM and coding projects
• Computer Science — coding-focused resources
• Financial Literacy — resources tied to financial education

The homepage also points to downloadable STEM projects, so teachers can pull in project-based work rather than only single-period activities.

How to Use This as a Teacher

1. Go to education.ti.com and open the Resources area.
2. Choose your subject (math, science, STEM, computer science, or financial literacy).
3. Browse the activity list and download the ones that match your lesson.
4. Pair the activity with the matching calculator tutorial or guidebook if students need a refresher on the device.

Expected result: a lesson-ready activity file plus supporting calculator instructions, without needing to build either from scratch.

Professional Development and Training

TI describes its professional development as "for teachers by teachers," aimed at enhancing teaching practices and building skills with TI technology. The site lists these learning formats:

• Professional development sessions
• Webinars
• Tutorials for using TI calculators
• Guidebooks for product reference

The site also notes that teachers can sign up for TI emails, which is one way to hear about new sessions and resources as they are posted.

What to Expect

The professional development offerings are framed around using TI technology in instruction, not general pedagogy alone. If your goal is to get comfortable with a specific calculator before using it in class, the tutorials and guidebooks are the faster route; if your goal is to change how you teach with the technology, the PD sessions and webinars fit better.

Matching Resources to Your Calculator

Lessons and training assume a specific device, so it helps to confirm which calculator your school or exam uses first. The site provides comparison charts showing which calculators are approved for exams, course listings, and key features, and a "Find your calculator" tool to narrow the choice.

Two practical points from the site:

• TI graphing and scientific calculators are approved for use on most college entrance, high-stakes, and state tests, and the site stresses that exam success depends on a calculator students already know.
• TI offers online and computer versions of its most popular calculators, which matters if you want to preview an activity before committing to classroom hardware.

A Realistic Workflow

For a teacher starting from zero, a workable sequence is:

1. Confirm the device. Check the exam approval and course listing charts so your lessons match the calculator students will actually use.
2. Pick one activity. Choose a single premade activity from your subject area and run it yourself using the online or computer version of the calculator.
3. Review the guidebook. Use the tutorial or guidebook to note the keystrokes students will need.
4. Attend a webinar or PD session if you want guidance on integrating the technology into instruction.
5. Sign up for TI emails to keep track of new activities and sessions.

Common sticking point: activities are written for specific calculator models. If a lesson's keystrokes don't match your classroom set, check the comparison charts before adapting the activity rather than improvising on exam day.

Who This Is For

These resources suit classroom teachers in math, science, STEM, computer science, and financial literacy, as well as teachers who are new to TI calculators and want structured training. School and district leaders have a separate path: the site directs them to contact a local TI representative to discuss solutions for their specific needs, rather than browsing the teacher-facing resources.

education.ti.com is Texas Instruments' education-focused site for its graphing and scientific calculators and the classroom resources that go with them. It is aimed at students choosing or using a TI calculator, teachers looking for ready-made lessons and training, and school or district leaders evaluating calculators for a class, school, or district. The site combines product information, exam-approval guidance, free math and science activities, and professional development in one place.

What you can do on the site

The site is organized around a few practical tasks rather than a single product catalog:

• Choose a calculator. A comparison tool lets you check which models are approved for exams, which courses they suit, and how key features differ. The site also highlights the newest model in its main line, the TI-84 Evo, described as easier to use and built for performance.
• Check exam approval. TI states that its graphing and scientific calculators are approved for most college entrance, high-stakes, and state tests. The site's advice is to confirm the specific model against your exam's rules and to practice on the calculator you will actually bring.
• Find free lessons and activities. Hundreds of premade math activities are available to drop into lesson plans, with separate resource sections for science, STEM, coding, computer science, and financial literacy.
• Get teacher training. Professional development is offered "for teachers by teachers," focused on using TI technology in instruction.
• Use software versions. TI notes that online and computer versions of its most popular calculators exist, alongside the physical devices.

Who each part is for

The pitch behind the products

TI positions its graphing calculators as classroom tools rather than general-purpose devices: no internet, no social media, and no distractions, which the site frames as reducing concerns about cheating and keeping students focused. It also presents a graphing calculator as a one-time investment that follows a student from middle school through college and across subjects.

Practical next steps

1. Decide your main need: buying a calculator, finding lessons, or planning a school-wide purchase.
2. For a purchase, open the comparison charts and confirm exam approval for your specific test before buying.
3. For teaching, browse the activities by subject and check whether an online or computer calculator version fits your classroom setup.
4. For school or district decisions, use the representative contact option to discuss options directly.

One caution: exam approval rules are set by each testing program, not by TI, so verify the exact model against your exam's current policy rather than relying on the general statement alone.

To buy a TI calculator, start at the "Where to Buy" page on education.ti.com; if you're choosing for a school or district, use the site's comparison charts to match models to exam approvals and courses, then contact your local TI representative through "Find my rep" to discuss solutions for your needs. The site also lists special offers and programs, and customer support is available for product questions. Note that the site does not publish prices or checkout details—purchasing is routed through the Where to Buy path rather than an online store shown in the provided page content.

Buying a calculator as an individual

The site's purchase path is built around three entry points, each with a different purpose:

For an individual purchase, the practical sequence is:

1. Confirm the model fits the exam. TI states its graphing and scientific calculators are approved for use on most college entrance, high-stakes and state tests. Check the specific exam's rules, since approval is described as applying to "most" tests, not all.
2. Match the model to the coursework. The site's comparison charts show what's approved for exams, course listings and key features—use these rather than guessing from model names.
3. Choose your color if you're buying a model like the TI-84 Plus CE, using the "Find your color" link.
4. Complete the purchase through the Where to Buy page.

Expected result: you arrive at the purchase flow with a model already validated against your exam and course requirements, which avoids the common problem of buying a calculator that isn't permitted on a specific test.

Common sticking points

• Exam approval is exam-specific. "Approved for most tests" is not a blanket guarantee; verify against the exact test you're taking.
• Color availability varies by model. The color-selection link is tied to specific models such as the TI-84 Plus CE, so don't assume every model offers the same palette.
• No pricing is shown in the site content provided. Treat price and availability as something to confirm at the point of purchase rather than assuming from the site.

Choosing solutions for a school or district

School and district leaders have a distinct path: the site directs them to contact their local TI representative to discuss the best solutions for their unique needs, via the "Find my rep" link. This is the appropriate route when the decision involves multiple classrooms, grade bands, or a mix of math, science, and computer science courses rather than a single student's calculator.

Two supporting resources are relevant to that decision:

• Cross-curricular fit. TI frames a graphing calculator as a one-time investment that follows students from middle grades and high school to college, spanning math, science and more. For a district, that argues for standardizing on a graphing model rather than mixing basic and graphing devices across grade levels.
• Teacher resources and professional development. The site offers hundreds of premade math activities for lesson plans, subject-specific resources (STEM and coding, science, computer science, financial literacy), and professional learning "for teachers by teachers." When evaluating a district purchase, these materials are part of what you're buying into, so review them alongside the hardware comparison.

A practical example: a district deciding between a scientific and a graphing calculator for middle grades would check the comparison charts for exam approvals at each grade level, review the available lesson activities for those courses, and then raise the standardization question with the local rep—rather than deciding model by model, school by school.

What the site itself offers beyond purchasing

• Exam information — a dedicated resource for checking which calculators are approved.
• Tutorials and guidebooks — for learning the device after purchase.
• Downloads and activities — free math and science lessons and STEM projects.
• Special offers and programs — listed on the site; check there for current terms.
• Customer support — for product questions.
• Online and computer versions of popular calculators — useful for classroom demonstration or when hardware isn't at hand.

The site also emphasizes that TI graphing calculators have no internet, social media, or other distractions, which is the stated rationale for classroom use and reduced concern about cheating. That's a consideration worth weighing if your district is comparing dedicated calculators against general-purpose devices.

A note on the current lineup

The site's featured heading promotes the new TI-84 Evo, described as the best in the TI-84 series—easier to use, student-friendly and made for performance. If you're buying now, check whether the Evo or an existing TI-84 Plus CE better matches your exam requirements and existing classroom materials before finalizing, since the comparison charts are the authoritative source for approvals and features.