The article, "Preparing Students to Learn Withut Us,” focuses on the importance of personalized learning for students based on individual passion and interest. It urges the institution of such personalized education and clearly and descriptively describes the necessities of implementing it. It consisely explains the concept and author, Will Richardson uses effective example to support his stance.                                                                                                                                                   "We can take what could be very limiting common core requirements and put them in the hands of the students and, in return, they get to demonstrate growth by applying them to activities and assessments that align to their own passions and interests [but to do so,] we have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, because we don't know the exact direction that a class will go when we walk in." 


These quotes essentially summarize the entire article. Coming from the point of view of teacher, it clearly states the benefits and requisits of this new learning style. The benefits are obviously increased student fascinations and learning but this requires teachers to adjust to a (for the most part) foreign form of teaching, which might prove as difficult for many. 

The article does a good job to summarize a topic that has been prevalent for years in the realm of education but what surprised me the most is the apparent neglect to similar and eproductive real world examples. One obvious one that jumps to mind is that of Montessori Education, an educational approach developed by Italian teacher and physician, Maria Montessori. Having attended a Montessori school, I can vouch for its effectiveness. Montessori education emphasizes freedom and fosters curiosity. A key aspect of this approach is the mixture of various grade levels within classrooms since everyone is encouraged to move at their own pace. The concepts are obviously akin for the most part but differ in emphasis. Where as personalized learning seems to focus on transferring required material to an understandable platform,  (passion. Montessori seems to be more focused on intellectual individuality.

I think that this concept is great t an extent. I recall in 8th grade my french teacher tried this method, where pay everything we learnt tied back to our chosen passion. It was grat for the first few weeks but if you're anything like me with multiple interests, it would get a bit redundant. This system would best work in our classroom if our "passions" we're not so rigidly incorporated.

I am personally greatly interested in music, arts,  and culture. It would be great if we could explore these worlds during this course.