Petrosino and Colleagues-- Using Agent-Based Modeling Collaboratively in Learning Environments (NSF Funded Video)

The following video is centered on an NSF funded project entitled Cloud Based Computing and is conducted with colleagues of mine from The University of Texas at Austin, Northwestern University,  Vanderbilt University and University of Massachusetts- Darthmouth. -Dr. Petrosino

The typical science classroom:

Perhaps the most conspicuous feature of school-based learning is that it takes place in a group setting. A teacher and a collection of students gather in a physically contiguous location with the intent of advancing meaningful domain-related insight and learning outcomes. More often than not, however, the potential of these group settings for pursuing highly interactive and immersive forms of content-specific learning is underutilized.

Collaborative learning environments:

Group-Based Cloud Computing (GbCC) provides an alternative to the Initiation (teacher) - Response (student) - Evaluation (teacher) sequence of instruction typical of the classroom described above (Wells, 1993). GbCC is agent-based modeling program, powered by NetLogo Web, that allows learners to work collaboratively to participate in, author, and share models. Models developed in NetLogo Web cover a range of domain content including, but not limited to: disease transmission, population dynamics, physical phenomena, and social stratification. GbCC provides network supported, generative design based learning and teaching opportunities (Stroup, 2012).

This project seeks to use GbCC technologies to encourage teachers and students to participate more fully in socially mediated learning and teaching to broaden and deepen interest in authentic STEM fields, learning, and careers. Network supported generative design based learning and teaching has improved student outcomes in algebra (Stroup, 2012) and the development of student understanding of agent-based and aggregate forms of systems reasoning (Stroup & Wilensky, 2014).

NSF and ITEST Grant Information

The Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program supports research on the design, development, implementation, and selective spread of innovative strategies for engaging students in technology-rich experiences that: (1) increase student awareness of STEM occupations; (2) motivate students to pursue appropriate education pathways to STEM occupations; or (3) develop disciplinary-based knowledge and practices, or promote critical thinking, reasoning skills, or communication skills needed for entering STEM workforce sectors. (NSF ITEST 2017)
Group-based Cloud Computing (GbCC) for STEM Education project is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) grant number DRL 1615207. It integrates three prior continuing research, development, and design framework.
To read the entire Project Summary, click here.

1. NetLogo (Wilensky, 1999) agent-based and aggregate modeling and participatory simulation (HubNet, Wilensky & Stroup, 1999) capabilities,
2. The completely open-standards based, group-situated, device independent, and database mediated cloud-in-a-bottle (CiB) network architecture (Remmler & Stroup, 2012), and
3. The use of socially-mediated generative activity design and supporting STEM focuses learning and teaching in classrooms (cf. Stroup, 2007).

So-- is this Justice?

Calabro Elementary School Becomes Highest Ranked School in City on new NJDOE Scale-- 96th Percentile!- Scores Rise 12 Percentile Points from Last Year-- Hoboken Board of Education Floats Bizarre Possibility of Calabro Closure as an Elementary School

In perhaps one of the most bizarre educational policy decision in recent memory, the Hoboken Reporter is reporting that the Hoboken Board of Education is considering the closure of Calabro Elementary School. Calabro recently scored in the 96.39 percentile among all New Jersey Public Schools (traditional public and charter). This is the highest academic scoring school in all of Hoboken based on NJDOE criteria. This pending closure decision has many people surprised, confused, and angered. The response to possibly close Calabro has many community members emotional according to the Hoboken Reporter:

CLICK TO ENLARGE- Hoboken Reporter on Calabro Closing

Elementary school is critical to student success in middle school and high school. Research shows conclusively that 3rd grade reading scores correlate with later school success. It is the period where the basic foundation of reading and mathematics are first established. That being said, recent independent, third party evaluations of the Calabro Elementary School shows there are wonderful and extraordinary things happening and there is reason for great optimism for the educational future of the students attending this school.

Calabro Elementary School in Hoboken, NJ scores are outstanding and rank the highest in the City of Hoboken and among the highest scores in the State of New Jersey (last year the NJDOE ranked the school in the 84th percentile-- this year the NJDOE ranked the school below the 96th percentile). Less than 4% of New Jersey Public Schools do better than Calabro Elementary School on the NJDOE 0-100 scale score. 

 The New Jersey Department of Education scores are graded on a scale of 0-100 and consider standardized test results, graduation rates and other factors. For elementary and middle schools like Wallace School, the following criteria are used for score calculation:

NJDOE Elementary and middle schools scoring criteria: English language arts growth (20 percent), math growth (20 percent), progress toward English language proficiency (20 percent), English language arts proficiency (15 percent), math proficiency (15 percent), chronic absenteeism (10 percent). A 50th percentile rating is considered average.

The NJDOE has ranked Calabro Elementary in the 96th percentile-- 12 percentile points above last year's already high 84th percentile score. This with an 9:1 teacher ratio, 46% of students that are economically disadvantaged, teachers with an average of 7.3 years of experience for a teacher, and around $30,000 per pupil spending.

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The NJDOE reports that there are approximately 121 students in Calabro Elementary School, 46% of which are economically disadvantaged. Calabro is a majority non-poverty school. PK-06 grades are housed in the school. 

You can contact your members of the Hoboken Board of Education at the following addresses:

Sharyn Angley
President
sangley@hoboken.k12.nj.us

Thomas Kluepfel
Vice President
tkluepfel@hoboken.k12.nj.us

Malani Cademartori
Board Member
mcademartori@hoboken.k12.nj.us

Sheillah Dallara
Board Member
sdallara@hoboken.k12.nj.us

Alex De La Torre
Board Member
adelatorre@hoboken.k12.nj.us

Jennifer Evans
Board Member
jevans@hoboken.k12.nj.us

Chetali Khanna
Board Member
ckhanna@hoboken.k12.nj.us

Ailene McGuirk
Board Member
amcguirk@hoboken.k12.nj.us

Melanie Tekirian
Board Member
mtekirian@hoboken.k12.nj.us

HOBOKEN HIGH SCHOOL Among Lower Performing High Schools in Hudson County and New Jersey on NJDOE Educational Quality Metric Scale; 2/10 on Great Schools Rating

Hoboken High School- Hoboken, NJ 

High schools are places that help to get people ready to function in the adult world. It not only gives you the lessons in the form of your classes, but it helps you to get the experience you need in learning everyday skills too. Skills like how to listen, how to interact with other people, how to balance your checkbook or bank accounts, and how to process and use the information you get on a daily basis for far more than just an English or History lesson from a book. High schools are also places where children grow into young adults and learn how to grow up both mentally and emotionally in a sheltered environment. Without this form of schooling, many young adults would just be thrown into the business or work world and not have any sort of coping skills. That being said, recent independent, third party evaluations of Hoboken High School show there is cause for concern for the educational future of the students attending this school.

Hoboken High School in Hoboken, NJ scores are once again lower than most high school scores in the State of New Jersey. This year the NJDOE ranked the school below the 32nd percentile. 68% of New Jersey Public Schools do better than Hoboken High School on the NJDOE 0-100 scale score.

 The New Jersey Department of Education scores are graded on a scale of 0-100 and consider standardized test results, graduation rates and other factors. 

Schools were scored on a several factors, including many required by the federal government. Here’s what counted:

How High School Scores Were Determined: Four-year graduation rate (20 percent), five-year graduation rate (20 percent), progress toward English language proficiency (20 percent) English proficiency (15 percent), math proficiency (15 percent), chronic absenteeism (10 percent)

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The NJDOE has ranked Hoboken High School in the 32nd percentile. This with an 8:1 teacher ratio, an average of 11.2 years of experience for a teacher, and around $30,000 per pupil spending. 

2016-17 Cost per Pupil- Hoboken City District 
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The NJDOE reports that there are approximately 401 students in Hoboken High School in a building with an original student capacity of 1501 students. The NJDOE also reports that 68% of students are economically disadvantaged. 

Capacity of Hoboken High School

Hoboken High School has a student to teacher ratio is 9:1 according to the NJDOE - while the average class size for a New Jersey high school is around 19 to 1 according to the US Department of Education.  

2018-19 Great School Ranking (2 out of 10)

Moreover, according to the NJDOE the average Hoboken High School teacher has 11.2 years of experience and the district's per pupil spending is around $30,000 per pupil. To be clear, these are not novice instructors teaching economically disadvantaged students in an underfunded school. Rather, these are experienced, well paid tenured teachers teaching in high resourced classrooms with low student-teacher ratios.  

Unfortunately, the Hoboken  results as well as similar results from the Hoboken Middle School should come as no surprise. It was about 1 year ago when I posted that an analysis by researchers at Stanford University showed Hoboken has the lowest growth rate in Hudson County and among the lowest growth rates in NJ and the entire nation (see Figure 1).  

Figure 1- Effective School Districts (Stanford University)

2018-2019 Hoboken High School Performance Report 
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Find out more about Hoboken High School by clicking HERE.  

AERA 2019 Annual Meeting- Petrosino Presentations

The American Educational Research Association (AERA) is the largest educational research organization in the world and its conference is the largest research conference in the world centering on education. This year more than 14,000 of my colleagues will be meeting in Toronto from Friday, April 5 – Tuesday, April 9. 

This year I will be making two presentations. Please see the topic and my colleagues who will be doing me below. Much of the work I am presenting is from my National Science Foundation grant on Cloud Computing.

Petrosino, A. J., Sherard, M. K., Harron, J. R., Brady, C. E., Stroup, W. M., & Wilensky, U. J. (2019, April). Developing preservice teachers’ conceptualization of models and simulations through group-based cloud computing. Poster session presented at the American Education Research Association Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada.

Brady, C., Stroup, W. M., Cannady, J., Petrosino, A. J., Wilensky, U. J. (2019, April). Generative Modeling in Computer Science. Poster session presented at the American Education Research Association Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada.

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AERA - Toronto