Somewhere between the 1980's and today, there seems to have been this little invention called the graphing calculator!
It caught me quite off guard when I first accepted the teaching job, but the calculator and I have long since bonded. However...it HAS left it's impact in the teaching of math. Perhaps you've already come across this issue in the algebras.
Anyway, it seems the newer books all rely heavily on graphing calculator activities. I have mixed feelings about this. The "old school" part of me sometimes tries to fight that, but it IS a nice addition to the subject. I think after working with one such book all year, I now prefer it.
I have taught precalculus for 10 years. In the past, I have not taught much with the graphing calculator since I'm very "old school" too. However, this year, I made it a requirement that all of my students have one. It has really changed the way I teach (for the better). I can ask very in-depth conceptual questions now that I couldn't ask before. I usually break my tests up into a non-calculator part and a calculator part, and much of what I make the kids do is still done by hand. I've also incorporated some lab activities with the graphing calculator to enhance teaching.
Currently, we're using the Merrill text, and the math teachers here universally HATE it. We've adopted a new text for next year, but right now I can't remember the author. Several years ago, I used Swokowski, and I really liked it. I don't know if there's a new edition out.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
