--- Forwarded Message from "David Pankratz" <[log in to unmask]> --- >Date: Thu, 27 May 1999 14:25:20 -0500 >From: "David Pankratz" <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: #5032 Position Announcement (Re-Posting) -Reply At the risk of going out on a rather long limb here, my curiosity is seriously aroused about the qualifications required for this position versus the likelihood that there are people out there with those qualifications who are looking for work. While reading through the expectations, I was thinking how ambitious and challenging this position would be (knowledge of language pedagogy, advising faculty, conducting technical workshops, installing software, program evaluation, etc.), and then I got to this part: "...[the applicant] will also be familiar with emerging instructional technology on both Mac and DOS/Windows platforms. Expertise in low to high level authoring systems (e.g. Macromedia's Authorware and Director programs, X-Media Engine Templates, Libra or SuperMacLang) as well as a good grasp on web-development (HTML, Javascript, knowledge of common editors like PageMill, Netscape Composer, or Claris Home Page) is expected." Wow. I can imagine that many potential applicants might be intimidated by the quite diverse level of "expertise" required in all of the computer platforms and applications listed. Many of the people I know who are successful in this field came from a foreign language/linguistics/language pedagogy background, and they have learned technology--including computer technology--as they go. I wonder if a substantial change is taking place. Is the "profession" expecting such a high level of technical expertise for a position that may not even be permanent? Just some thoughts--and not meant to be critical, merely inquisitive. The work sounds fascinating, but I am wondering how others who read this list react to this position announcement. (Am I the only one who is feeling like maybe I should sign up for a Memorial Day Weekend Java course?...) David Pankratz Loyola University Chicago