Hi and welcome to my electronic portfolio. My name is Nikolas Smith-Hunnicutt. This portfolio is the capstone experience for my Master’s degree in Instructional Technology.

Let me start out by telling you a little about who I am and how I got here. During my junior year at UNC Chapel Hill, I accepted a job at the UNC Center for Instructional Technology (CIT) Video Services. My job responsibilities required me to setup and run interactive video classes and conferences, perform maintenance, repair, and installation of LCD projectors, Smart Boards, computers, VCRs, video cameras, and mobile Polycom systems, and teach faculty how to use digital video cameras. Being a media studies and production student I was familiar with much of the technology, but I had never thought about using these tools for educational purposes. In order to run an effective, interactive video class it is imperative to not only master the technology (video router, video switcher, remote-controlled cameras, etc.) but also facilitate communication and ensure that the instructors have what they need to successfully teach the class. 

One of the most rewarding projects that I was involved in was the weekly facilitation of real-time communication among a group of chemists from UNC, NC State, Georgia Tech, The University of Texas, and North Carolina A&T. This group was the recipient of a National Science Foundation grant to explore new CO₂ polymers and needed to be able to collaborate on a weekly basis. Each Tuesday my challenge was to organize the PowerPoint presentations and video feeds from each site into a logical manner that would facilitate learning. 

My work experience at CIT Video Services stimulated my desire to improve my knowledge and skills in the area of educational technology. Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies, with a concentration in Media Studies and Production, my supervisor encouraged me to continue to pursue my goal by attending graduate school for instructional technology. 

My next job brought me to Wilmington, North Carolina where I accepted a position as a Learning Resource Technician at Cape Fear Community College. In this capacity I provided instructional technology support to faculty and staff, produced my own pet adoption program that aired on the Learning Network of the Cape Fear, and checked out library materials to faculty, staff, and students. It was also during this time that I researched instructional technology programs across the country and after working at Cape Fear for a year decided to pursue a master’s degree at UNCW. 

Over the past two years in addition to pursing my master’s degree, I have worked as a graduate assistant for both the Watson School of Education (WSE) and UNCW e-Learning Team. As a graduate assistant for the WSE, my responsibilities included planning, shooting and editing video content, maintaining three student computer labs, and providing instructional technology support to faculty, staff, and students. Working with the campus e-Learning team has also been an invaluable experience and helped me to clarify my career goals. My responsibilities include helping faculty to design and develop web-based classes using WebCT CE 4.1, Blackboard Vista, Camtasia, Impatica, StudyMate, and Respondus. I have also gained a lot of experience troubleshooting WebCT issues and during a period of transition, served as the WebCT administrator for the campus. 

I could not be more pleased with my professional growth over the past two years as a member of the MIT learning community and hope this portfolio helps you see the work I have put in as both a student and employee.