Unless we are focused, our students will never hit their academic target. We have to identify exactly what they are to learn. Some sometimes we focus on the context, the learning vehicle, instead of the content, the learning purpose. An example is an English teacher who focuses on A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the context, without considering the real purpose of the content such as analyzing themes which is part of NYS ELA Standard 3 Critical Analysis. Is A Midsummer Night’s Dream the most appropriate context for the learning goal?
Once we do decide on our specific learning goal, then we have to decide how we will help students develop that skill. Just reading A Midsummer’s Night Dream will not accomplish the task. We have to develop specific activities to help students grow in analyzing themes.
Do you focus on content or context?
Education with Technology Harry G. Tuttle 
