Top Award to Innovative Learning Center

The Innovative Learning Center at Tulane University was honored by the New Media Consortium with the 2010 Center of Excellence award — the highest honor bestowed by the international consortium of colleges, universities and museums dedicated to the exploration and use of new media and new technologies.

At the consortium's awards ceremony, hosted June 12 by the University of Southern California in Anaheim, Calif., Tulane Innovative Learning Center staff members were honored for “their innovative flair for learning spaces and their outstanding support of students and faculty.”

The ILC oversees myTulane/Blackboard and offers support and consultation to faculty members who need assistance in matters of technology. At the awards ceremony, the center's staff members showed this playful video featuring Tulane faculty members talking about their joint projects.

“Over the years the Innovative Learning Center has worked with instructors and staff collaborators on a variety of projects, including creating course supplements, designing and developing Web applications and building optimal learning environments,” says Linda Wright, director of innovative technology and support services. “I'm thrilled with this award, and proud of the ILC staff for earning it.”

Derek Toten, director of instructional media, points to the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library Learning Commons as an example of the ILC's vision for learning spaces. The cheery, open first floor of the library mixes cutting edge technology with warm study spaces and a café, and is staffed by library personnel, ILC professionals and student employees.

“The Learning Commons was immediately popular with the Tulane community when it opened last year, and it's rare when it's not filled to capacity,” says Toten. “We hope that it proves to be the blueprint for extending that same look, feel and functionality to the rest of the library.”