It is time for my yearly post about the technology I've purchased during the past year. You can view my previous posts for 2012, 2011, 2010, and 2009  Since I make presentations and facilitate workshops about all sorts of different technologies, I try to get my hands on devices and gadgets that I think might be helpful to teachers. Some of these items I highly recommend. Others are ones I wish I didn’t waste my money on. Some things are stupidly expensive while a few are pretty cheap.

I have been tweeting tech tips on Tuesday mornings. The tips have mostly about iPads and iPhones, but there are other techie tips sprinkled in there as well. 

Do you prefer Facebook over Twitter? Then by all means like Learning in Hand on Facebook and you will see Tip Tuesday (and all of my other updates, including free app alerts) in your Facebook feed. 

Studio B Productions asked 35 top education experts the same simple question:  “What are the most effective uses of technology in online and mobile education?” Each of the 35 responses were put into a slideshow. The introduction to this project spells out the common theme that emerged from the short essays: advances in mobile and online tools, social networks, and content are putting students at the center of learning.

You can use an adapter and a cable to mirror exactly what's on your iPad's display onto a projector or television screen. When picking out an adapter, you need to know if your device has a Lightning or 30-pin Dock connector. You also need to know if your projector has HDMI or VGA input. Use this flowchart to help you choose from among the four possible adapters.

 Up in Pieces turns photos into playable jigsaw puzzles. I've been using the app with students and in workshops for years. It has now been updated as a universal iPad and iPhone app. The update also adds building and sharing options that makes it much more useful in classrooms.

You can import any image from your Photo Library into Up in Pieces. This means your puzzles could come from...

It's my pleasure to be on the team organizing Mobile Learning Experience 2013. It's the third year of this fantastic conference. If you'd like to get a feel for 2012's conference, then check out the Mobile 2012 Program and Mobile 2012 Speakers' Resource Wiki.

It's a tradition here at Learning in Hand that I share some of the technology I've purchased during the year. You can also check out what I bought in 2011, 2010, and 2009. Some of the technology I purchased is completely practical and useful. Other items might just be fun or silly.