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The content that I learned over the past few weeks through SED 501 contributes significantly to the construct and success of this unit. First, Plickers is an application that I was unaware of before researching it as a tech tool for this course. Plickers proves to be useful in a wide range of scenarios to provide useful information to the teacher while providing the students with an opportunity to engage with the content in a fun and interesting way. Second, SED 501 made me more aware of the technology that I implement into my lesson plans and classroom activities; I specifically am more considerate of the ISTE-S and ISTE-T standards in determining what my goals are when employing technology in the classroom. Third, in developing this unit plan, my Resource Catalog was referenced to decide what type of technology would be practical to incorporate given my school's resources. Although I didn't decide to provide my students with individual laptops during this unit, my Resource Catalog reminded me that I am able to check out laptop carts from the library up to four times per month. Additionally, my Resource Catalog noted that my department has access to a bubble-sheet grading system called Illuminate which cuts down on the time it normally would take to grade multiple choice assessments. This online application was used to grade my students' end-of-unit quizzes.

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Alignment with and Reference to ISTE-S Standards

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Alignment with and Reference to ISTE-S Standards

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1b: Students build networks and customize their learning environments in ways that support the learning process.
1c: Students use technology to seek feedback that informs and improves their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.
3b: Students evaluate the accuracy, perspective, credibility, and relevance of information, media, data or other resources.
5c: Students break problems into component parts, extract key information, and develop descriptive models to understand complex systems or facilitate problem-solving.
7c: Students contribute constructively to project teams, assuming various roles and responsibilities to work effectively toward a common goal.

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The ISTE Student Standards guide educators toward student-driven learning practices that prepare students to thrive in an evolving technological landscape.

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As is mentioned in the "Basic Unit Information" section, this unit aligns to Arizona's 10th grade English & Language Arts standards by addressing Langage Standards 9-10.L.2.a and 9-10.L.2.b which are the following:
9-10.L.2.a: Use a semicolon (and perhaps a conjunctive adverb) to link two or more closely related independent clauses.
9-10.L.2.b: . Use a colon to introduce a list or quotation.

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To complement the content that is taught in class, during this unit, students are provided with online resource that can help them to better understand semicolon and colon usage. This technology adds value to the unit because it provides those students who are reading/writing or visual learners to interact with the content in a favorable way.

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Grammar and Punctuation: Using Semicolons

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Semicolons help you connect closely related ideas when a style mark stronger than a comma is needed. By using semicolons effectively, you can make your writing sound more sophisticated.

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Image credit: http://blogs.setonhill.edu/alexiswank/files/2011/09/success-kid-news-writing1.png

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Basic Unit Information - Semicolons & Colons

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Basic Unit Information - Semicolons & Colons

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As a 10th grade English & Language Arts teacher, one of the Arizona essential standards is for students to first, "use a semicolon (and perhaps a conjunctive adverb) to link two or more closely related independent clauses," and second, "use a colon to introduce a list or quotation." In brief, students are expected to correctly identify and use semicolons and colons in the following ways: joining two closely-related sentences,  joining two closely-related sentences with a conjunctive adverb, separating "monster lists", introducing lists, and introducing emphasis. Students are evaluated on their mastery of semicolon and colon usage through exit tickets relating to short stories read in class, group/class activities, and formal assessments. For ways that technology is integrated into this lesson, please see the section titled "Technology Integration".

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Image credit: http://www.mainstreethost.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/One-Does-Not-Simply-Meme.png

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The following are the technologies that are integrated into the semicolon and colon unit:
1) Google Slides
2) Plickers
3) Online resources

See below for more information.

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Below is a screenshot of one of the slides I used when teaching semicolon and colon usage. While this slide was projected, students had a blank flowchart in front of them that they were required to fill in. The flowchart acted as a tool to help visual learners understand what questions they should be asking themselves to determine what type of punctuation is correct in any given situation. Google Slides added value to the unit because it allowed me to clearly and concisely project the below flowchart which aided students in understanding how to use the correct punctuation. The resource also allowed me to show limited information on the slide at a single time as to not overwhelm my students.

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Plickers is a web and phone application that enables teachers to check for understanding by having students hold up a QR code representing their answer to a multiple choice question. Each side of the QR code has a letter A through D associated with it. The semicolon and colon unit incorporat Plickers by projecting teacher-created multiple choice questions on the board and students choosing the response with the correct grammar. Students work in pairs so that they can collaborate and interact in order to reach their answer. Plickers adds value to this lesson by allowing students to engage in the content in a fun and creative way. The application also provides the teacher with an opportunity to understand how well the class knows the content and what specific areas need to be honed in on.

Image credit:
https://www.plickers.com/assets/images/LandingPage/244e203e.PlickersSplash2.jpg