Texas Instruments launches industry's first Arabic handheld solution

The solution is designed to improve the teaching of mathematics and science in classrooms around the world by creating a more interactive learning environment, proven to encourage student engagement with the aforementioned subjects. It is the first time such an advanced technological education solution has been made available in the Arabic language.

Speaking on the launch, Anton Hierharger, director of sales and marketing for Texas Instruments in the region said, "Texas Instruments is delighted to announce the launch of the localised, Arabic version of the TI-Nspire CX handheld and TI-Navigator, here in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has been proven to aid to both students and teachers in the fields of mathematics and science. Highlighting our on-going global commitment to advanced classroom technology, teacher professional development and local content, we hope that our delivery of this solution will support the Kingdom's wider education initiatives to move towards a more knowledge-based economy."

The launch of the Arabic TI-Nspire CX handhelds follows the completion of a successful learning pilot in the Al-Kharj and Jeddah districts. Participating schools, students and teachers, welcomed the new technology, and have since acquired the TI-NSpire CX handhelds and Navigator systems for day to day classrooms use as an aid to teach and study math, physics, biology and chemistry and to stay on course with the national curriculum. Textbooks in Arabic supporting the curriculum, and providing learning content and exercises with the help of TI NSpire Technology, are provided by the publisher Obeikan.

By using the TI-Nspire CX handhelds in the classroom, teachers are able to encourage the learning of mathematics and science by applying complex scientific rules and mathematical equations to real life situations through graphical representations, providing students with important visual aids that not only make the lessons more enjoyable, but also support them in their understanding of the subject matter, as shown by the pilot results. TI- Navigator allows the teachers to keep a close eye on each student's progress by having access to their individual screens during class and by that be able to provide support to each student according to the individual learning progress and speed.

To provide the necessary support for use of the TI-Nspire CX handhelds in classrooms, the Al-Kharj school district and Texas Instruments have also launched the first Regional Training Centre in the Middle East. Located in Al Kharj, the centre will support teachers in their professional development and training on how to use the TI-NSpire CX handhelds and TI-Navitagor can support learning in the class room. The decision to host both the pilot and training centre in Saudi Arabia highlights the importance Texas Instruments attaches to a successful rollout of its activities in a country which it considers as a pioneer in the field of education in the region, before it expands into other territories throughout the Middle East providing state of the art education technology for the entire Arabic Speaking World.