ClassPad.net is an online calculator system that's designed for use by teachers and students in education.
This is not to be confused with the real-world gadget version, simply called ClassPad, which was released by Casio. This online version works in a very similar way, only without the need for the physical device.
While this digital version is designed to offer lots of functionality -- including geometry, algebra, graphing, and more -- the physical ClassPad does offer even deeper levels of functionality.
This guides aims to explain all you need to know about ClassPad.net to see how it could benefit your class.
What is ClassPad.net?
ClassPad.net is an online calculator resource designed and offered for free by Casio. This is the digital version of the more complex physical ClassPad device.
Since Casio has been perfecting this technology in its physical calculators for decades, the online version is well refined. This translates to something that is easy enough to use for younger and newer students but offers enough depth and complexity for more advanced users and their requirements.
The basic version allows for work with tasks such as primary computational and trigonometric functions. Features such as the graphing and number line sticky are available if you want to get a more visualized expression of the numbers.
Since this works across multiple devices, via a web app in a browser, it's highly accessible so students can use this on their personal devices.
How does ClassPad.net work?
ClassPad.net offers a free version of its web app that allows anyone to get going right away. This, called the Math Core, gives pretty helpful functionality that should cover most classes for the basics of a scientific calculator and more.
You can also use a single sign on, if paying for an account, to access the more complex version of the app that offers functionality more akin to the physical ClassPad device itself.
Students, and teachers, are also able to draw freehand, ideally suited to touchscreen devices. Then, it's possible to click and move specific coordinates using a cursor, which is well suited to a mouse-enabled devices as well as touchscreens.
Users can sign in with accounts including Google Classroom and Clever, making integration into a current class setup quite straight forward.
What are the best ClassPad.net features?
ClassPad.net is really feature-rich -- it's a full scientific calculator for free but more, too. Students can use this for trigonometry, arithmetic, geometry, function graphing, tables, sequences, and more.
Teachers are also able to get more out of this than a standard calculator might offer. Thanks to TeX support, it is possible for students to describe their work or make notes for use later. Crucially, teachers also can prompt tasks or setup calculations to work through. Essentially, this creates a guidance dialogue right within the app itself.
Since students and teachers can directly play with graphs and geometric features, it allows for a really interactive and visually clear way to manipulate the numbers.
This works on smartphones and tablets as well as computers so it can be used widely in class as well as outside the room. That can mean super affordable uptake for schools as well as a reliable device to support students wherever they are.
How much does ClassPad.net cost?
ClassPad.net does offer a lot for free, but for the more complex features there are paid tiers available.
The Free version gets you a full scientific calculator plus functionality for trigonometry, arithmetic, geometry, function graphing, tables, sequences, and more.
The ClassWiz plan, at $14.95/year, gets you the above plus ClassWiz Emulator, allowing teachers to share screens with students, for use with ClassPad Math.
Go for the Math Plus subscription, at $24.95/year, and you also get CAS, advanced statistical calculations, financial calculation functions, and handwriting recognition.
ClassPad.net best tips and tricks
Start big
Display the ClassPad app on the big screen and teach the class how to use it and how it can be fun to manipulate visually.
Get personal
Have students play with the app on their devices and tackle questions in the class to help them ease into understanding use.
Set tasks
Have students go home and work with the device for tasks, so they have to get to grips with it, then review how it went when back in class.
