FCP and Educator's --->

Question

FCP and Educator's --->

I work for a guy that does not understand technology well. A video production teacher that struggles with DVD's and the digital format. He is a video production professor with an unwillingness and drive to understand in full the Final Cut Pro platform. My job is keeping the studios up to date and making sure everything works fine. He relies heavily on me in the instrucitonal process of final cut pro for the reason I am complaining about. Is there a certain way to deal with educators who do not know how teach what they are teaching? I mean this guy is my boss and I feel like I am not in a place to tell him he needs to get up to speed on this stuff. I am sorry if this comes across as a vent.

For a specific example: We had 3 groups working on computers. 2 of the computers were Mac pros with killer horsepower and the other was an IMAC. The rendering process was taking significantly longer on the IMAC because the horsepower is much lower. When I tried to explain this to him, it sort of turned into an argument because he does not understand the computer aspect of it. Again, any help with how to deal with this professionally without ripping my hair out would be helpful! Thank you!

Mac Pro

Posted on Mar 22, 2012 10:48 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Studio X

Level 7

27,229 points

Mar 22, 2012 11:15 AM in response to colforbinphan

In the Humanities areas of Academia (often where "communications" resides) there can be a huge disconnect between technical expertese (sometimes described derisively as "skills") and the more conceptual understandings of the media.

If this Prof is really so far out of it, challenging him in front of the class will not help matters. Often people who are out of their depth will do everything they can to deny it and will end up hating you for pointing it out. If they have to be the "sage on the stage", anything that detracts from that will be a direct challenge.

Is this person assigned as your direct supervisor or is your job description to support the Lab as an academic resource for the Department? If the latter is the case, who is your real supervisor? Have a conversation with them (Chair of the Department?). In all likelyhood, they are aware of the gaps. If not, you have done something to address the issue. If nothing else, behaving in a professional and engaged manner keeps the discussion civil and may bring about some useful changes.

x

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Answer 2

Jim Cookman

Level 7

23,435 points

Mar 22, 2012 12:50 PM in response to Studio X

Really a prime example of "... those who can't, teach."

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