D2: TI-GraphLink 2 (v. 2.3)
A. INTRODUCTION
Using graphing calculators in physics class can be relatively
easy when you are dealing with individual steps and discrete functions.
However, should you ever attempt to have students load programs
into the calculator keystroke-by-keystroke, you may be in for
some big problems.
As students program from a listing they are prone to make a
significant number of errors. They may skip lines of code, make
entry errors, and have a hard time finding embedded functions.
This, of course, assumes that the students are already familiar
with programming procedures associated with the calculator in
question. Indeed, it may be that not all students own the same
type of graphing calculators adding to the list of headaches the
teacher will encounter. Not to worry, there is a solution for
at least some of these problems.
Texas Instruments has created a program, TI-GraphLink,
that allows microcomputers to communicate with calculators through
an electronic connection. A teacher can write or obtain a number
of calculator (or CBL) programs with the desktop computer, and
then download the files to students' calculators in a matter of
minutes. In this exercise you will acquaint yourself with TI-GraphLink,
find a source of graphing calculator files on the Internet, and
then program a TI-73, TI-82, TI-83, TI-83 Plus, TI-86, TI-89,
TI-92, or TI-92 Plus programmable calculator. Note: TI-GraphLink
2 does not support TI-82 or TI-85 calculators. Nonetheless, version
1.0 does. See your course instructor to obtain this program and
to receive a verbal orientation. The steps below (a-k) do not
apply to version 1.0.
B. PROCEDURE
1. Complete project E1 before attempting this project.
2. Obtain the TI Resource CD from your course instructor and
familiarize yourself with TI-GraphLink 2. Please not that
the 24-page PDF handbook available on the CD has been printed
out and is available through your course instructor; so please
use this document if necessary. Insert this CD into a MLT 307-B
computer and start the application. Acquaint yourself with the
program and practice sending programs, groups, and images to the
TI-82, TI-83, or TI-85 graphing calculators. You also may want
to learn how to send files from the calculator to the microcomputer.
Below are some quick-start steps you can follow. Print them out
before beginning this exercise because you will be required to
restart your computer after loading the required files.
a) Load the TICD resource disk into your computer' Once its
icon
appears on the
desktop of your computer, double click on this icon.
b) Double click on the TI-GraphLink icon
to start the application.
c) Double click on the appropriate calculator icon
that
you will be using in this activity.
d) Double click on the USA icon
and
hit "Continue" to read the License Agreement. Click
on "Accept" once you have read and agreed to the terms
of software usage.
e) You now should be at the installer. Quit all running applications
other than TI-GraphLink before continuing. Click on the
"Install" button to install TI-GraphLink and
associated software files.
f) Restart your computer by clicking on the Restart button.
g) Find the TI-GraphLink folder that has been created
on your hard drive, and open it. Double-click on the icon for
the TI-Graph Link application to start it.
h) Read the TI-GraphLink Quickstart Help file and then
close the window. You are now ready to employ this application.
i) Make certain that your calculator and the computer are
linked through the appropriate cable, and that your calculator
is turned on.
j) Under the pull down menu Connection, select the type of
calculator you have chosen to link to the computer. Select Connect
when the Connection window appears. You should now see a window
that shows the contents of your calculator.
k) To transfer files (groups, programs, lists, etc.) to and
from your calculator, make use of the drag-and-drop ability of
the TI-GraphLink application.
3. Find and download the TI-GraphLink programs from
the above named web sites or CD that is suitable for physics teaching
and the TI calculator you are using. Please note that Texas Instruments
maintains a Web site for graphing calculators, CBLs, and CBL2's
at the following URL: http://education.ti.com/product/accessory/link/features/features.html.
You can often get similar information from the Vernier Web site
at the following URL: http://www.vernier.com/calc/index.html.
4. Create a data table (L1 and L2) on your graphing calculator.
Use the following data set:
|
t (s) |
d (m) |
|
0 |
0 |
|
1 |
4.9 |
|
2 |
19.6 |
|
3 |
44.1 |
Import this data set into Graphical Analysis from the
graphing calculator and print out the fitted curve giving, also,
the fitted equation and constants.
C. EVALUATION
The student should make an arrangement with the course instructor
for a demonstration interview. Procedures 3 and 4 above should
be demonstrated in the presence of the course instructor after
you become facile with the process.
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