When selecting the right tool to integrate into your class, what should you always start with?

Starting with the learning goal is essential because it ensures that the chosen tool aligns with the desired educational outcomes. By defining what you want your students to achieve, you can select a tool that effectively facilitates their understanding and aids in reaching those objectives.

Focusing on the learning goal first helps to clarify what students need to learn or demonstrate, allowing you to evaluate whether a particular tool can support those specific objectives. This targeted approach not only enhances the learning experience but also fosters a more deliberate integration of technology, ensuring that tools are not used merely for the sake of using technology, but rather as a means to an educational end.

While considering available technology, current curriculum standards, and student preferences is important, these factors should come into play only after the learning goals have been established. They can influence the selection, but the primary focus should always be on facilitating the learning process effectively.