When the PEF donated Technology “Smart” Carts to the Higgins three years ago, we didn’t know the impact they would have. The carts have moved annually, reaching a total of 12 clusters at the school.
As part of the Higgins Middle School’s technology pilot, five of the carts rotate between clusters based on applications submitted by teachers.
Each cart is outfitted with a laptop computer, LCD projector, Elmo Document Camera, Elmo Wireless Tablet, an iPod docking station and speakers. Some projectors can connect via cable to enable projection from an iPad. Eighty teachers at the school received iPads earlier this month.
The state-of-the art mobile technology carts were distributed this year’s five clusters: Grade 8 Orion, Grade 8 Pisces, Grade 8 Gemini & Math Specialist, Grade 7 Broncos, and Grade 6 Sharks. Cluster teachers submitted proposals to the school administration explaining how they plan to use the technology with their students.
The Smart Carts, including two that are permanently assigned to the Higgins Library and Auditorium, were donated by the Peabody Education Foundation as part of the group’s Partners in Education (PIE) initiative to provide technology to Peabody Public School classrooms. The generous contributors to the Partners in Education program include: Lyon Waugh Auto Group, Analogic Corporation, GraVoc Associates, Northeast Massachusetts Economic Development Corporation and Su-Chang's Restaurant.
The carts allow teachers to effortlessly switch from projecting from the laptop to the document camera. A modern version of an overhead projector, the document camera allows teachers to employ new teaching strategies.
