Classroom Technology

Four Decades of Domination

By Andrew Trotter — January 23, 2008 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

When students take out their calculators in math class, the devices most likely bear the logo of Texas Instruments Inc. The company, which invented the hand-held calculator 40 years ago, has carved out a school franchise that its rivals find hard to penetrate.

“TI’s genius was to recognize that the key to the acceptance of its technology in schools was tying it to the existing curriculum—everything follows from there,” says Elliot Soloway, a University of Michigan education professor and a pioneer in the use of hand-held computers in education. “They got well accepted by math educators.”

In 1976, TI's four-function Little Professor model was designed for use by elementary school children.

Other technology companies, he says, should learn from Texas Instruments’ example.

The Dallas-based semiconductor manufacturer has courted teachers by providing training at conferences, disseminating teacher-developed activities, and giving or lending equipment for teacher institutes in districts that buy its devices. TI has won over many school administrators by developing extensive instructional resources and training for teachers and by persuading publishers to create TI-specific supplements included with major math textbooks.

Texas Instruments says it holds 60 percent of the market for the scientific and graphing calculators used in middle school, high school, and university-level education, with sales of graphing calculators at between 3 million and 4 million such devices a year.

Players in the Industry

Casio America Inc.
www.casio.com

Hewlett-Packard Co.
www.hp.com

Sharp
www.sharpusa.com

Texas Instruments Inc.
www.ti.com

Rivals Casio America Inc. and the Hewlett-Packard Co. do not publicize their market shares. But HP is widely used in universities, suggesting that TI may claim an even greater chunk of the K-12 market.

TI’s profits from its education division, a record $200 million in 2006, will likely grow, in light of the renewed attention being given to math, science, and technology education.

Related Tags:

A version of this article appeared in the January 23, 2008 edition of Digital Directions as Four Decades of Domination

Events

Student Well-Being K-12 Essentials Forum Boosting Student and Staff Mental Health: What Schools Can Do
Join this free virtual event based on recent reporting on student and staff mental health challenges and how schools have responded.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Curriculum Webinar
Practical Methods for Integrating Computer Science into Core Curriculum
Dive into insights on integrating computer science into core curricula with expert tips and practical strategies to empower students at every grade level.
Content provided by Learning.com
Jobs Virtual Career Fair for Teachers and K-12 Staff
Find teaching jobs and other jobs in K-12 education at the EdWeek Top School Jobs virtual career fair.

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Classroom Technology Q&A This School Leader Believes AI Could Transform Education for Students With Dyslexia
AI could revolutionize how people with dyslexia navigate K-12 schools, said a school leader who works with children with the condition.
3 min read
Elementary age boy using computer.
E+ / Getty
Classroom Technology Crafting a School Policy on AI? Here’s What Experts Recommend
AI is developing so rapidly that many educators fear district policies to handle the technology will quickly become outdated.
1 min read
Classroom Technology Khan Academy Plans to Shake Up Writing Instruction With AI Tool
Chatbots designed specifically for K-12 education are expected to proliferate rapidly over the next few years.
3 min read
Illustration of woman using AI on phone.
DigitalVision Vectors