Whats the difference between shared interests and shared passion? People often seem to confuse the two, as shared interests is a reasonable compromise for fitting in and belonging to a group. We’re happy to find other people with similar interests and outlooks as it means working with them is all the more rewarding. On the other hand, plenty of people don’t share our interests. The worst are the self interested Napoleons who care nothing for alternative views, methods or interests at all.
Shared passion is about everyone having a dream-like, gritty determination towards similar individual or shared goals. As I’ve discovered in the last week, getting to chase down that passion with people who have gone down that hard road before in their own lives is akin to a learning mana potion. By the time the kids show up mid-morning in our 4 teacher, open space PBL classroom … All 80 of them have spent two hours with tennis and soccer coaches who share the same passion. I remain convinced that many people undertake teacher training to get a job, and many are yet to find their subject passion at under graduate level. Unlike many countries, a prior passion is not assessed in the current University enrollment scheme. Its a shame, as I really think teaching without a passion is a lie and contributes to the drop out rate of the profession (along with insular ideologies and political fluffery).
It’s difficult to therefore compare any place I’ve been teaching at to this … The shared love of the game, the community hopes and effort that backs the kids means that teaching begins on a high every day and the kids have a natural affinity and kindred passion that really changes the dynamic of the classroom.
Makes me wonder why schools insist on homogeneous approaches which as Kieran Egan said “ensures no one truly becomes an expert of passionate about anything” … Something that technology can’t overcome anymore than chalk could. Two hours a day to follow your passion before entering the more general landscape of politically assembeled “learning” clearly works wonders …
Playable 