Find here the original press release dated January 27, 2005:

The TI-Navigator System's Collaborative Learning Environment and Assessment Tools Ensure Students Remain on Track and on Task

DALLAS, January 27, 2005 

Based on related research on classroom communications systems and specific pedagogy, classroom use of the TI-Navigator system helps teachers implement instructional strategies that research suggests lead to improved student interest, engagement, and achievement.*

The TI-Navigator system uses the popular TI graphing calculators and a teacher's classroom computer to establish a collaborative, wireless educational network for math classes. Building on the success of the TI-Navigator 1.0 system, the TI-Navigator 2.0 system provides teachers with networking capability that enables them to tailor their teaching based on the level of understanding of each student in class, assess student comprehension in real-time, and create a learning environment where students are eager to learn about math and energized by the interactive technology to learn more about advanced math concepts.

"When the students walk in the room and they see the TI-Navigator system hubs out, which happens frequently, the whole attitude of the student changes - they're excited, they get into their seats, and they're ready to go," said Jane Damaske, math teacher at Lakeshore Middle School in Stevensville, Michigan. "I find that my students are very involved and engaged in what we are doing when we're using the TI-Navigator system. They are asking for more problems to do, they're more prepared when it's time for a test, and they know the material."

With the TI-Navigator system, teachers can easily send to and collect from the entire class various lessons, activities, tests, assignments, and other files to develop a real-time communication pathway between teacher and student. This classroom network enables teachers to view student progress, system use, and lesson status, and provides them with instant assessment of student comprehension to continue cultivating the learning experience and inspiring students to achieve beyond their current levels.

The TI-Navigator system provides teachers with the critical capability to conduct real-time assessment of student learning using a variety of tools. By using the TI-Navigator 2.0 system's Quick Poll feature, teachers can quickly check student comprehension of a particular activity by sending out a question or impromptu survey to the entire classroom. Student responses are then recorded in real-time, allowing the instructor to capture the teachable moment and adjust lessons or coursework as necessary.

Another key feature in the TI-Navigator 2.0 system is the Activity Center, which enables students to actively contribute in real-time to a shared workspace that is housed on the teacher's PC, which can be projected to the entire class to visually illustrate equations, graphs, and other key math lessons by using one of any widely available video projectors. Through the Activity Center feature, math concepts come to life as teachers are able to capture the visual aspects that engage students in active class discussions allowing them to work together with other students to answer questions or work independently and show their individual results to the class. Teachers can also import photos and images to show students how math applies to everyday life. For example, a teacher might display a photo of the St. Louis Gateway Arch to bring real-world examples of algebra and geometry applications into their lessons.

Through the LearningCheck™ feature, teachers can easily create and send assignments and quizzes straight to the students' calculators, which the students complete and electronically submit. The Class Analysis capability then automatically grades the submitted work, and displays and maintains an electronic record of each student's overall scores and specific answers. By using the Student View Tab, educators can track a student's progress over time to see what concepts the student understands and to identify which lessons the student may need additional assistance on to proceed with the learning experience.

With a simple keystroke, teachers can use the TI-Navigator system's Screen Capture feature to see the calculator screens of individual students or the entire class to know who understands the subject matter, who may need additional help, or just to ensure that students are staying on task.

In all of the features of the TI-Navigator 2.0 Classroom Learning System, teachers have the option to show the students' names on classroom displays or hide names to allow students to remain anonymous. Either way, the teacher will always have access to any student's record to know which ones may need additional help. Anonymous results from tests, quick polls, or assignments can be presented to the entire class via projector device, or can be recorded and shared with students on an individual basis.

"The TI-Navigator 2.0 Classroom Learning System harnesses technology for interactive learning and provides instructors with immediate feedback on classroom activities, making their teaching more efficient and effective through a direct link to students," said Marcia Page, vice president of Texas Instruments Educational & Productivity Solutions business. "With the TI-Navigator system, teachers have the classroom technology to help take their students to new levels of achievement."

The TI-Navigator 2.0 Classroom Learning System can be used with the following TI graphing calculators: TI-84 Plus Silver Edition, TI-84 Plus, TI-83 Plus Silver Edition, and TI-83 Plus. The TI-Navigator 2.0 system will be available through instructional dealers with planned availability beginning March 1, 2005. Owners of earlier versions of the TI Navigator system can request a complimentary software upgrade to the TI-Navigator 2.0 system.