Appolicious, the app search and discovery portal which helps users find new mobile applications for iPhone, iPad, and Android, is today launching a new service today aimed at parents, teachers and others in search of the best educational apps for children: appoLearning.

Responding to worries that school is not preparing students for the jobs of the future, there’s been a concerted effort lately to emphasize the importance of learning STEM subjects.

As technological developments in computing and digital media grow with leaps and bounds, education has started to get a piece of the action. Just a few short years ago, districts struggled to an adequate number of laptops to accommodate all students.

With smartphone and tablet users getting younger, new apps can help parents of 2-to-13-year-olds monitor and control their children’s use of the Internet.

National social media and technology reporter PETRA STARKE lists the top 50 learning apps for children and teens.

(*Prices correct as of January 14, 2013)

BRONZEVILLE — Alice Zhao believes a cartoon owl can teach the world’s children about different languages.

Zhao, a Bronzeville resident, is the co-creator of “Gus on the Go,” an app that debuted in June and has slowly built a following.

San Francisco-based kids’ app platform Fingerprint is teaming up with UK educational app maker Mindshapes. The two companies are collaborating on a series of new digital learning activities called “appisodes,” which combine both storytelling and games. It’s the first in what promises to be a busy year of Fingerprint announcements, partnerships, and app launches

The initative will award $50,000 to a sharp programmer that can develop a middle-school application to teach crucial skills for the science and technology jobs of the future.

City schools contest will award programmers $50,000 for best mobile STEM app to improve middle-school math education.

Fresh off a visit at General Assembly last week for the European Buffet, I’ve got my eye on alternative education startups, and there is none more advanced in France than myBlee. They have 20 iOS apps and 4 Apps on Windows 8 dedicated to education for children,  primarily basic mathematics courses.