Studying apprenticeship in Canada was an enlightening experience. It was similar to my other two essays in different but interesting ways. The religion paper had in common with it that it was a relatively scarce research topic especially in relevance to its Canadian focus. It was similar to my Historiography essay in that very little information exists regarding the focus of research. Still, it remains that prior to state mandated education developed in the industrial era, apprenticeship was the primary form of education for skilled tradesman and laborers.

It is unfortunate that little information exists for more research to be conducted. What observations we can make are so narrowly focused that they cannot be completely accurate. I was surprised and a little disappointed that children were indentured in Canada. In my opinion, even if they were taken advantaged of, those children who were indentured and taught by reputable craftsman still gained skills that were marketable and would provide them economy later in life.

I would be interested in exploring this topic further if the opportunity arises in the future.

I took a screenplay writing course this semester, and unexpectedly learned a little about myself. A assignment had us create a moment of discovery for our protagonist. I chose to write about when I found out that my mom wasn’t my actual mother and how it impacted me. It was hard to write and brought up some very emotional memories. I recreated it and it also helped me work through some issues that I had. Creative skills are something I believe it is important to foster in our education system as it does provide an outlet for emotions that shouldn’t be public or would be otherwise difficult to grasp. Having a way to deal with them healthily is important.

This course was interesting as an exercise in education. There is much we can learn from examining the processes and techniques that other academics have used to learn and study a variety of subjects. It allows for objective evaluations as well as an observation of progressing values within these disciplines. It is important to consider how such exercises can influence the students exposed to them. It found it really fun to examine the work of histories two centuries separated from myself and find patterns and conflict between them and modern opinions.

I included this essay in this portfolio because it represents something in my education I am always striving to accomplish. My history of religion class focused heavily on Christian religions as that, and secularism, is the professors primary focus of study. I chose instead to focus on a little known religious community that has been growing in Canada. My teacher appreciated this as she was uniformed about the existence of these communities. By exploring this subject I helped her as well as myself in the pursuit of knowledge.