Dr. William Rankin, Class of 2009
The Apple Distinguished Educators (ADE) program was created to recognize K-12 and higher education pioneers who are using a variety of Apple products to transform teaching and learning. Today it has grown into a worldwide community of visionary educators and innovative leaders who are doing amazing things with technology in and out of the classroom. That includes working together — and with Apple — to help bring the freshest, most innovative ideas to students everywhere.
Leaders as well as educators.
ADEs work closely with Apple to lead innovation in education. They advocate using new technology to help engage students in new ways — and share their expertise with other educators and policy makers. They advise Apple on the realities of integrating technology into learning environments. They author and publish valuable insights, lessons, and best practices. And they work together as ambassadors to develop and promote powerful ideas for improving teaching and learning worldwide.
Welcome to the global classroom.
There are now over 1500 ADEs worldwide, from the USA to Japan, Canada to Australia. And they all gather at the ADE online community (as well as in person) to collaborate on solutions to the global education challenges of today and tomorrow.
More than an honor. An opportunity.
ADEs are recognized by their peers and by Apple as educational innovators. But the most important membership benefit is what they get to do. ADEs work closely with Apple, participating in and often presenting at education events. They author content, sharing ideas and best practices so that others around the world can benefit. And they have the support of innovative and enthusiastic peers dedicated to the same goal — making a difference in the future of education.
A growing community of innovators.
If you or an educator you know is integrating technology creatively into your learning environment, you should apply to be part of this active, global community. Find out more
Where ADEs are making a difference.
Greene County Schools
José Garcia, ADE Class of 2009, helped Greene County Schools bring project-based learning to grades 6 through 12. Enhancing curriculum with engaging, interactive projects, students created movies, podcasts, wikis, and blogs. And in 7 years, the percentage of graduating seniors going to college jumped from 26 to 90. Watch the video
Central Elementary School
Kathy Shirley, ADE Class of 2003, helped integrate the iPod touch into her students’ reading exercises. By recording and listening to themselves read, students got instant feedback and became much more engaged. In a short six months, they gained almost two full years of reading comprehension.
Watch the video
Inspired teaching
that inspires learning.
William Rankin, Class of 2009
Dr. William Rankin, director of Educational Innovation, helped Abilene Christian become one of the first universities to embrace mobile learning by providing an iPhone or iPod touch to every freshman. Students can now do research and create learning objects in real time, transforming the lecture hall into a forum.
Julie Garcia, Class of 2009
Julie helps her middle school students learn by teaching them to teach each other. Using iMovie and GarageBand, students create podcasts that explain math concepts. Then other students watch the podcasts and answer questions. Working together, the whole lesson becomes greater than the sum of its parts.
Ted Lai, Class of 2003
Not all ADEs are classroom teachers. Ted Lai, director of Technology and Media Services at Fullerton School District, teaches the teachers how to integrate Apple technology into their curricula — and, in turn, teaches thousands of kids who aren’t even his students.
See the incredible content ADEs are sharing on iTunes U.
Watch their creative teaching ideas in action — and then see the students’ amazing results. Learn how educators are engaging students with mobile devices and personalizing learning like never before. Experience some of the projects happening in classrooms around the world. Go to iTunes U
