Casio fx-CG50 training: your questions answered

The Casio fx-CG50 graphic calculator is the most advanced handset we offer. Its extensive functionality makes it a powerful tool for both GCSE and A-level maths students, in their everyday studies and also in exams.

Like any tool, this calculator needs to be used efficiently in order to deliver the best results. That’s why we encourage teachers who aren’t familiar with the fx-CG50 or who want to build their confidence with it to sign up for free introductory training.

These sessions could be ideal if you’re looking to improve your basic competency with the handset, or if you’re concerned about not being able to help your students with fundamental tasks on the calculator.

If you’re interested in learning more, read on to find answers to some frequently asked questions about the training, with input from one of our fx-CG50 experts, Simon May.

Who is the training for?

The sessions are designed to provide an introduction to the fx-CG50, so are best-suited to teachers who have never even picked up the calculator, or who have very limited experience with it.

If, for example, you’ve gone as far as drawing a graph but not much further in terms of analysis or exploration, this training is for you.

As Simon explained: “The sessions are really designed for teachers who want to know how to use the calculator more efficiently, but don’t necessarily want to explore everything it’s capable of.

“As I often say when leading the training – I’ve been using this device for ten years and I’m still learning new techniques for problems, so don’t expect to master using the handset in a single session!”

What will I learn?

In its current guise, our fx-CG50 training focuses on two core capabilities of the calculator that are guaranteed to be useful to you and your students: graphing and analysing functions, and solving equations numerically.

These are explored in the context of a typical A-level equation, which you will learn how to solve using the fx-CG50’s SolveN functionality. This is a powerful feature that can find all of the solutions to a given equation and even presents them as exact values.

The training also goes a step further and looks at visualising equations using the calculator’s graphing functionality – another key feature that sets it apart as our most advanced handset.

So as well as seeing how the fx-CG50 can do the essentials when it comes to solving equations, you’ll learn more about using the calculator to open up new approaches through graphing and analysing functions.

What else can I expect to gain from the session?

In addition to looking at specific applications of the fx-CG50’s graphing and equation-solving features, our training sessions aim to offer a broader view of how calculators can support you in your teaching and help students improve their understanding.

Simon said this can be particularly significant for the members of your class who struggle with certain concepts and topics. These students could potentially benefit the most from having various ways to tackle a problem, and also from using a calculator to check their working.

“We always try to demonstrate how you can use the calculator to approach example questions in a couple of different ways, which can really help out those students who find these things difficult,” Simon added.

Can I ask questions?

Absolutely! The training sessions are fully interactive and we actively encourage participants to ask questions and request clarification when they need it.

As we’re sure you tell your students all the time – if there is something you’re not sure about or want explained in more detail, please ask!

The sessions take place in relatively small groups – no more than ten people – to ensure everyone can make their voice heard. If you’re joining virtually, we strongly recommend checking in advance that your camera and microphone are working, so your training leader can see and hear you properly.

What’s the next step after training?

Simon pointed out that there is plenty of support available if you want to continue developing your skills with the fx-CG50 after the introductory training.

You can find various how-to guides, leaflets and much more in our online resources centre, as well as a collection of model-specific videos on the Casio Education YouTube channel.

But perhaps most importantly of all, Simon said the best way to learn the calculator and get the best out of it is simply by using it. That could involve looking at plans for future lessons and thinking about how the calculator could support you in the classroom, or exploring how it can unlock new ways of investigating problems.

“I would suggest trying to use the handset as much as possible, and being open to using it for something you might not initially think of – conic functions and drawing circles, for example,” Simon continued.

“When used effectively, the fx-CG50 is much more than just a calculator that can supply an answer. It’s a really effective teaching tool that can make a huge difference to student understanding.” To start exploring how the fx-CG50 can help you and your students, sign up for your free training session now