This is a guest post by David Kaluper, Ed Tech blogger/ and consultant. 

Door 24 is a fantastic new iPad for Math grades 4th-8th. This app is aligned to Common Core Standards and focuses on basic Math facts, number sense, and logical/algebraic thinking. It uses fun interactive animated problems to help fix Victor Robot's circuits and find out the mystery of Door 24.

From their press release, "The app’s focus on computational fluency supports problem solving and higher-order thinking and builds the mathematical processes and proficiencies that the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) identify in the Standards of Mathematical Practice (SMP)."

I highly recommend checking out Door 24 by clicking here!!!

This is a guest post by Lim Chuwei, a tutor working at www.championtutor.com and father of two teenagers, the author actively makes use of iPad apps in his own classes and has benefited much from the use of these apps.

Every teacher has something to share and explore with their students. In today’s technology driven world, having a latest Apple gadget is not just trendy, but also very handy. Teachers can help unearth the hidden talent of their students using unique ways provided via iPad’s App pool. So, whatever the lesson, you can make apps part of the plan. The power lies on your mighty Palm with the presence of these Apps.

iPad is touted today as a versatile tool in education. It is defined as “Everything you need to teach anything”. With some of the Apps described further in the reading that make students feel delighted and captivate them on the topic being taught. These apps provide a deep insight into the new world of learning possibilities.

Evernote

Evernote is very popular, easy-to-use, free app that helps you to stay organized.
It helps you by collecting and finding everything that matters. Evernote app lets you take notes, capture images, record voice reminders, synchronize files across all your devices. With this you can remember everything about your ideas.

CloudReaders

CloudReaders is free book /movie viewer/ comic, which is fully optimized for iPad. With its new version 2.02, it’s now possible to share your books over WiFi. It also supports on iPhone/iPod touch too! This app is freely available on itunes store.

iPad outline

iPad outline is completely free to download and use. Outline is a robust app for note taking and drawing. Everything you create using it is saved in a user friendly notebook format with sections, subsections, groups and pages. It is similar to exactly using the old paper notebook. Outline is very powerful text editor with a variety of features that came as a Built-in. It helps in emphasizing text and provides a good organizational framework.

Numbers

Numbers is the most innovative spreadsheet app designed for a mobile device like iPad. This amazing app lets you make interesting spreadsheets in minutes. Using just your fingers you can add tables, charts and images into this app.
Teacher Tool One
Teacher Tool One is an app designed for updating teachers always. It offers a combined package of gradebook, calendar, notebook and course register in your pocket that is always available and complete.

Super 8

With the help of Super 8 you can make professional-quality videos, movies and also add the shake effects. You can also arrange clips and scenes the way you want.
Teacher’s can add their own credits also.

Science 360

Science 360 app is the result of creativity from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for iPad. This app provides easy access to engaging Science and Engineering images and videos from around the globe. A news feed featuring breaking news from NSF-funded institutions is a bonus.

Dictionary for iPad

Dictionary is an Excellent, intuitive, consistent, hyperlinked, consistent and integrated English illustrated dictionary and thesaurus, spell checker, vocabulary builder and Wikipedia browser. It is premium quality reference, fast, reliable, up-to-date and really easy to use. You will love it! 

ShowMe

ShowMe can be freely downloaded from iTunes. This app turns your iPad into your personal interactive whiteboard. ShowMe allows you to record voice-over whiteboard tutorials and share them online without any delay. It’s an amazingly simple app that is best suited for teachers.

Happy birthday Free Technology for Schools! On the 15th of January last year I published my first every blog post entitled "Where Should Schools Spend their Money?". The idea for the blog came from a general frustration with how schools waste so much money on technology without considering the excellent free solutions available. Creating Free Technology for Schools has helped me widen my professional network in ways I didn't know were possible and I have had some great help from the people I have connected with.
There have been many highlights over the last year especially in the initial stages as I watched it grow, reaching a peak of over 17000 pageviews in May. I hope this year to increase this fivefold although I have been a little quiet lately due to my wife having a baby.  Another year of blogging deserves some resolutions, it is January after all so this is what I would like to achieve this year.

1. Grow the blog to 100000 pageviews every month. In the first 4 months last year, the traffic to the site at least doubled every month for the first 4 months. More traffic means more connections and more sharing of ideas.
2. Find the time to post at least once a week. It's not about lack of time, it's about making time. If I can find time to Facebook, I can find time to blog.
3. Connect, connect connect. The best thing about blogging is the connections you make. I hope this year to meet many more wonderful colleagues to share ideas with. I have had so much help this year it has been amazing
4. Get more guest bloggers involved. This blog is designed to be collaborative so drop me a line if you want to get involved.
5. Keep finding things to blog about. The great thing about having this kind of blog is that it encourages/forces me to continually develop and find new technologies that enhance learning.

If you are reading this, I hope you have found the blog useful over the last year and I hope you keep coming back. Don't forget to follow on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, RSS or email.