The Innovative Learning Center (ILC) partners with faculty and staff on academic research strategies and acts as a liaison between Information Technology and faculty. By complementing skilled technologists and cutting-edge technologies, the ILC is a space for faculty to explore what is possible in academic technology now and prepare them for future trends in higher education and beyond. Come find us on the third floor of Howard-Tilton Memorial library or contact us at ilc@tulane.edu.
Meet Our Team
Mike Griffith, PhD
Executive Director, Strategic Digital Innovation
Mike Griffith is the Director of the Innovative Learning Center. He is also an adjunct lecturer in the Communications Department at Tulane University. His academic background is in cultural and new media theory, which he has used to develop theoretical frameworks for emerging media pedagogies. Mike has been a National Endowment for the Humanities Digital Fellow as well as a visiting scholar at the Newcomb College Institute.
Bobbie Garner-Coffie, MSW, MLA
Manager Instructional Technology
Bobbie manages the integration of educational applications within the learning management system and promotes the adoption of EdTech applications and tools throughout teaching and learning experiences at Tulane. Bobbie approaches technology integration using the TPACK Framework, cultivating a relationship between technology, pedagogy, and content while helping instructors deploy technology successfully. Bobbie promotes collaboration among peers, guides users effectively, and is always ready for a moment of levity. Bobbie fosters dynamic partnerships with vendors and campus partners, engages with faculty and instructional staff, and leads workshops, webinars, and monthly meet-ups for academic technology liaisons across the institution. Bobbie is an ICF-Level 2 certified leadership and resilience coach and has completed OLC's Certificate of Instructional Design program.
Blaine Fisher, PhD, MS, MA, NRP, PG-Cert
Sr. Instructional Technology Specialist
Dr. Blaine Fisher is an Instructional technology expert, specializing in instructional development and faculty professional growth. Blaine leads faculty workshops on the latest academic technologies, including AI, Canvas, YuJa, Top Hat, Zoom, Box, MS Teams, Qualtrics, and more. He provides regular sessions on AI topics, like AI Fundamentals, AI for Course Development, AI for Research, AI as a Second Brain, and 9-5 AI for Productivity.
Each year, Blaine facilitates Preflight to Canvas, a 3-day intensive boot camp designed to prepare faculty for the upcoming semester. This accelerated training focuses on Canvas, YuJa, and Zoom, ensuring that participants are ready to leverage instructional technology effectively in their classrooms.
Blaine holds a Ph.D. in Geography and Anthropology, a Master of Science in Healthcare Management, and a Master of Liberal Arts in Anthropology and Emergency Management. With over 13 years of experience in instructional design, academic technology, and professional development, Blaine is committed to empowering educators to innovate and succeed in their teaching practices. Blaine is also an adjunct instructor, leading multi-disciplinary courses with Tulane's School of Professional Advancement.
See also:
Tulane University Expert Spotlight
Tulane School of Professional Advancement Faculty Profile
LinkedIn Profile
Carrie Fisher
Instructional Operations Lead
With a remarkable tenure of 25 years at Tulane, Carrie has been an integral part of the institution's technological evolution. Starting as a help desk agent, Carrie has expanded her expertise through roles in technical writing, knowledge management, telephone systems admin, and classroom technology implementation. Currently, she serves as an Instructional Operations Lead and is ITIL-certified.
Carrie is a Canvas Learning Management System admin and oversees a team of student workers who provide essential classroom technology and printer support. Their collaborative efforts with the telecom department, library staff, AV team, and the instructional technology team ensure seamless technological operations across the campus.
Known for her friendly rapport with long-time Tulane staff and her welcoming nature towards newcomers, Carrie excels in fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. Her exceptional attention to detail and determination to resolve technology issues make her a valued resource for the university community. Carrie is passionate about learning new things and helping end users, believing that it's the people at Tulane who make it great.
A native of New Orleans, Carrie is actively involved in a Mardi Gras costuming club and proudly marches in three parades each year. Pieces of her intricately beaded costumes are displayed in her office, showcasing her creative talents. Carrie enjoys a vibrant family life outside of work with her spouse and two teenage children. Their free time is filled with attending volleyball games, debate tournaments, youth orchestra concerts, and various other activities, including sailing, tennis, Boy Scouts, and walking her dog, Benji.
Ariel McFarland
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Ariel is the Marketing and Communications Specialist for IT/ILC and the Center for Engaged Learning and Teaching (CELT). On behalf of IT/ILC, Ariel develops and facilitates marketing and communications for programs and events, manages newsletter content, and designs and delivers informational campaigns. Ariel is a native New Orleanian who has been a part of the Tulane community since 2012. As an undergraduate student, Ariel previously worked with Tulane's Neurosurgery Department, Africana Studies, SLA Gulf South Center, and the School of Liberal Arts. Ariel completed her undergraduate degree in 2017 from Tulane University and joined CELT's team, where she was quickly promoted from Administrative Program Coordinator to her current role. Ariel went through Tulane's SoPA to complete the Human Resource Development, Management, and New Business Ventures program to further her learning.
Programming & Training
Programming
The ILC hosts a regular programming schedule on several different topics throughout the academic year. If there is something you'd like to see scheduled on the ILC training calendar, please don't hesitate to reach out to ilc@tulane.edu.
ILC Programming Calendar
Office Hours
The Innovative Learning Center, in conjunction with the Center for Engaged Learning and Teaching, hosts office hours every Monday and Thursday from 12 PM - 1 PM during the Fall and Spring semesters. Faculty and staff are encouraged to drop in to ask questions and receive feedback on anything from academic technology to pedagogical practices.
Join Office Hours
ILC Resource Hub
The Innovative Learning Center has created a Resource Hub to provide the Tulane community with just-in-time training resources covering our entire academic tech stack. Hosted on Canvas, you can walk through step-by-step guides on using various resources and programs.
ILC Resource Hub
Services & Resources
Academic Tech Stack
Tulane provides faculty, staff, and students with free enterprise licenses to a number of applications and software. Some of these include:
Do you have recommendations for other tools and software? Submit an LTI Request.
Canvas Consultations
We’re here to help you make the most of Canvas for your teaching. Whether you’re looking to streamline course organization, explore advanced tools, or implement best practices for student engagement, our team is ready to help.
Email us for a consultation
IDEA Lab
The ILC IDEA Lab is a new creative space equipped with cutting-edge technology that is open for Tulane faculty and staff use. Located in the ILC, on the 3rd floor of Howard Tilton Memorial Library. The lab includes:
- Two high-performance Alienware Aurora R15 computers with Wacom tablets and 3D scanners
- Adobe Creative Cloud, ArcGIS Pro. and Unreal Engine
- MakerBot Method X 3D printer
Contact us for availability
Reserve a Room in the Suite
Reservations are available for meetings, workshops, and small gatherings primarily designated for faculty, staff, and related university programming. All requests will go through an approval process. If the space you requested is available on the date and time you provided, you will receive a reservation confirmation within 72 hours of completing this request. View the Room Reservation Request page for room details and the request form.
Review Rooms and Reserve Rooms
Classroom Experience Assistants
The Classroom Experience Assistant (CEA) program is a team of Tulane students trained in instructional technologies, ranging from the classroom media equipment, such as cameras and microphones, to EdTech software, such as Zoom and Canvas. CEAs provide on-demand support for faculty with issues in and out of the classroom.
Request a CEA
ILC Newsletter
The ILC Newsletter is shared bi-weekly with Tulane faculty and staff via email.
View the ILC Newsletter Archive
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
