Because I won’t be here next week, here is my in-depth blog early:

1. What kinds of learning opportunities does the mentor provide to expose you to new learning?

On Friday, my mentor introduced me to the website – and magazine – Applied Arts and the illustrations and photography awards they hold. She explained that I could go onto their winning submissions gallery and find pieces of art that I enjoy and am interested in. By finding these photos/illustrations, together we can find out how the photo was made, the method used, and how I could learn it! So, over the course of this spring break, I have homework. Find submissions on Applied Arts that I enjoy and see best suited for me to learn how to do.

2. What kinds of learning opportunities exist to reinforce new learning?

Because of this day and age, and the power of the online world, I have the ability to learn practically anything in a short period of time. Using the internet, I can reinforce new learning by synthesizing multiple approaches to one solution. This will assure that I not only know how to do something, but how the tools used to do it work, too.

3. What kinds of opportunities exist that might accelerate learning?

Something that might accelerate my learning is the fact that Ms. Gilder is a very skilled person in the field of photography and people. And because she is such an experienced person, she as the ability to answer 99% of any questions I have related to her work. Another opportunity that may boost my learning are sketchbooks. Keeping a sketchbook with me all the time, and by continuously drawing and thinking of ideas, I can accelerate my learning experience by becoming more creative and generating better art skills.

4. When you get together what do you talk about?

Last Friday, we talked about my mentor and her career. Because I didn’t really know her background and experience, we thought it was a good idea to spend a little bit of time talking about that. From that conversation, I got a general idea of what kind of thing she does. And I feel very comfortable giving the role of my mentor to her. Furthermore, she gave me a resource to look for inspiration – Applied Arts – and some homework (find pictures that I enjoy/want to learn how to take or make).

5. What is going particularly well in your mentoring relationship right now?

Something that is working well is our interest. Well for me at least. I am always excited for my meetings and look forward to what I want to do or talk about. And my mentor always listens with interest and generosity.

6. What are you learning about one another?

Ms. Gilder doesn’t really know too much about me. However, after this past Friday, I have learned a lot more about her. She is a very interesting photographer, having had her photos on around 200 billboards. She has many great achievements that I don’t know too much about, but the point I want to make is how I (now) feel very comfortable having her instruct me and guide me towards success.

I would post my progress, but the photo I’m working on contains my Father’s face and I don’t want to post that online (at least for now).

Journal

Saturday March 14th

Word is going around, warning of the plague. They say the cats are to blame, but nothing’s changed since we were free of them. I do trust that I am safe however, as the disease seems to be scarcer where I reside. It hurts most the vagabonds of our land.
Although I am safe, I will continue to take precautions. Many of my neighbours have begun to move, escaping the plague. Soon other countries may halt receiving us, in fear of the plagues growth. I too, indeed, have the urge to transport to another home, but I trust in the king that he will protect his people. Others are skeptical, claiming if he was truly a representative of God, why he has yet to make a move.

Sunday May 4th

The plague appears to be getting worse. The vast majority of wealthy men have left the land, including the king. I retained my faith, yet, he ran. He ran cowardly from his country. That is not what a God would do, a true God would be able to save his subjects, or help them at the least. Not leave them. I am questioning the authority he bears, claiming he is chosen by God, as powerful as a God. Yet, he retreats to another country, hiding from the plague.
After hearing the news of King Charles II ‘s retreat, I have lost my trust and faith. After contemplation, I have decided that the King is just another person. Unaware and unknowing of what to do in this situation.

Thursday July 28th

The plague is still spreading, and many of the populace have turned to faulting the witches. Claiming that they have seeded the plague. Others point their fingers at the Jews. As they seem to be less effected by the plague. I myself, believe it’s the witches. Early last month, I witnessed an execution of witch, and I can swear to you that she was guilty. The hatred, sadness, and anger in her eyes, without a doubt, I believe the plague is at the fault of the witches.

‘Wheels of Revolution’ S.E.T.P.

Social: Before the revolution, only the noble and clergy had good lives. The common and poor were highly taxed, starving, and had no influence or power over their country. However, after the revolution, the privileges of the higher and noble class were abolished, and equal rights were issued for all.

Economical: Before the revolution, the Government’s financial stability was in shambles. Due to France’s involvement in the Seven Years’ War, the American Revolutionary War, and King Louis XVI’s spending habits. This caused the Government to put out highly unpopular tax rates to pay for the federal debt. However, after the war, the high taxes were minimized and were paid by everyone, rather than just the peasants.

Technological: Before the revolution, there was no way of executing a great number of people, nor was there a way to do it humanely. This changed during the French Revolution. Joseph-Ignace Guillotin designed a from of execution that was painless, effective, humane, and distinctive. The guillotine. This form of execution was used to kill many enemies of the revolution during the time period. It was even used to execute King Louis XVI.

Political: Before the Revolution took place, France was in a financial crisis. The Nobles and Clergy lived very selfish lives and wasn’t affected by the taxes. The poor people suffered, not being able to pay the taxes or even get themselves food on the table. This changed after the Revolution, when the middle classes took over France and abolished the privileges of the nobles and clergy, putting everyone on more equal footing.

In what ways did your event follow the same trajectory as other events in the past or present?

There are many events that follow the same trajectory the French Revolution, for example, the English Civil war follows a very close trajectory to its French counterpart. Both Revolutions start with a king who raises taxes and makes the common folk unhappy. This, in turn, leads to a populace that wants something to change. In the end, the king loses his power and influence – and even his life – and the populace gains more power.

Does your wheel represent, or end in justice for those involved? Were the consequences of the event positive or negative? To whom? Explain.

In the events that I covered, there was justice for the common folk not being able to feed themselves due to the ridiculous taxes (positive consequence for the common). HOWEVER, I do not know that well of what happened, but after the revolution, Napoleon came into power. And some can argue that the power he had was similar – or better – than what the Nobles had prior. Additionally, there were many wars and conflicts after the revolution itself. A negative consequence would have to go to the nobles and clergy that were in power before the revolution, as they had many privileges taken away.

What has been the most difficult mentoring challenge so far? Why?

I believe that the most difficult mentoring challenge we (my mentor and I) have faced so far is our interests and specialties. I say this because although Ms. Gilder is able help me use photoshop and navigate its tools, she cannot assist me when I do something like using a drawing tablet – something she is not too familiar with. So, the questions I ask generally must be how to use the tools and how they work rather than asking her directly how to do something. This means we must use our noggins to figure out together what the best tools and method would be to approach my question.

What is working well? Why?

I think that we are both able to get to the point straight away. We discuss what I want to learn, how get started learning that, then she gives me a mini lesson, and I practice what I learned. This has been working great and I am given a basis to work off until our next meeting a week (or two) later. This has been a good thing because – in my opinion – it gives me a perfect balance of autonomy and mentorship. I am given the tools necessary to achieve my desires, but they are not directly handed to me. That, would be uninteresting.

What could be working better? How can you make sure this happens?

Something that I think we could do better is communication outside our meetings, as we haven’t done much talking other than in our meetings. An effective way I can assure this is to continuously think about the meetings and questions I have (more than I currently am). This will mean that I will have more ideas and questions to ask during the week, which I know I won’t be able to put off. I could even write down questions if I don’t have enough time to write down an email.

Having answered the questions, I would like to give one example of what I learned during our past meeting: