Adam Wagler, an advertising and public relations professor, has been selected for the Apple Distinguished Educator program. Wagler joins 76 newly selected members for the class of 2011.
Started in 1994, the ADE program provides a unique forum for Apple and exemplary educators worldwide to exchange ideas and information about the effective uses of new technologies in the creation of engaging learning environments that will promote student achievement and academic scholarship.
"Adam Wagler has won a coveted and competitive award as an Apple Distinguished Educator because he is a creative and thoughtful teacher working on the edge of digital technology," said Gary Kebbel, dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
Wagler said he applied to the ADE program “to have the opportunity to work with educators from around the nation that are doing amazing things with technology in education.”
Wagler will return to UNL to share those ideas in multimedia, mobile and online technologies with colleagues.
Apple has partnered with the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism to host the ADE Summer Institute in Phoenix, Ariz., July 17-22. Arizona State University’s facilities include sound stages, recording studios and a modern learning environment that encourages collaboration and content development.
Wagler’s application to the ADE program included a video he made about his classroom work for the Omaha Science Project and his mobile apps class. The video, which also includes his summer study abroad to Sochi, Russia, can be viewed at http://vimeo.com/25096998.
Wagler joined the College of Journalism and Mass Communications in 2006. He teaches New Media Design, Strategic Communications Graphics, Social and Mobile Media and Visual Literacy courses.
Some of Wagler’s most recent work includes developing iPad applications targeted toward teenagers to increase their interest in science issues. Funded by a grant from the National Institute of Health, the “World of Viruses” apps are available for free from the app store in iTunes.
Wagler earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Iowa State University in 2001 and a master's in marketing, communications and adverstising from UNL in 2009. He is working toward a Ph.D in instructional technology.
Applications for the ADE program are taken every other year. More information about the ADE program is available at http://www.apple.com/education/ade.