Contents of this video:
00:00 – Agenda
00:18 – Open the calculator
00:38 – Switch calculators
00:54 – Dock or expand it
01:36 – Recap
Albert has three built-in calculators you can use while you practice: Graphing, Scientific, and Basic. You don't need to open another tab or app. They work like the calculators you'll use on your exams, so you'll already know how to use them on test day.
Opening the calculator
Open a question in an assignment, a Skill Path, or Independent Practice.
Click the calculator icon in the toolbar above the question. When you hover over it, it says Calculator.
The calculator opens over the question.
Note: You'll only see the calculator icon on questions where a calculator is allowed. If you don't see it, answer that question without one.
Where to find the calculator icon:
Independent Practice: in the top right, next to Highlight & Note.
Skill Paths: in the top right, next to your badges.
Assignments: in the top right, next to the pen icon.
Switching calculators
Click the calculator's name at the top left of the calculator (for example, Graphing Calculator).
Choose Basic, Scientific, or Graphing.
Some questions don't offer all three calculators:
If a question allows Graphing, you can use Graphing, Scientific, or Basic.
If a question allows Scientific, you can use Scientific or Basic.
If a question allows Basic, you can only use Basic.
Note: In an assignment, your teacher might pick one calculator for every question or turn the calculator off. If your calculator looks different than you expected, that's probably why.
Moving and resizing the calculator
You can move the calculator so it doesn't cover what you're reading:
Move it: click and drag the bar at the top of the calculator.
Put it next to the question: click the Dock to side icon at the top right of the calculator. Now you can see the question and the calculator at the same time. To make it wider or narrower, drag its edge. To move it back over the question, click the same icon again.
Make it full screen: click the Fullscreen icon to get more room, which helps with graphs. Click Exit fullscreen when you're done.
[Pro-Tip]: On long questions or questions with a graph, dock the calculator to the side so you can see everything at once.
Closing the calculator
To close the calculator, click the X at its top right. If you open it again on the same question, your work will still be there.
Note: When you move to a new question, the calculator clears. Every question starts with a blank calculator.
Using the calculator in Secure Mode
If your assignment uses Secure Mode, you can still use Albert's calculator. You can move it, dock it, and make it full screen, just like in any other assignment.
Note: Using Albert's calculator won't count as a Secure Mode violation. Opening a calculator in another tab, window, or app will.
For teachers: choosing the calculator for an assignment
You choose which calculator students can use in each assignment.
Create an assignment in the Assignment Builder, or edit the settings of an existing assignment.
Find Calculator on the Recipient Settings step.
Choose an option:
Follow Content Guidelines (default): each question gets the calculator its content allows. The setting shows the recommended calculator, for example, Recommended (Graphing).
Basic, Scientific, or Graphing: students get that calculator on every question. Scientific also includes Basic, and Graphing includes Basic and Scientific.
No Calculator: students don't see a calculator.
Note: The Calculator setting applies to everyone in the assignment, so you can't choose a different calculator for one class or student. Learn more about editing and customizing assignment settings.
Common questions
Why don't I see the calculator? That question doesn't allow a calculator, or your teacher turned the calculator off for that assignment.
Can I use the calculator on a Diagnostic? No. Diagnostics don't have a calculator.