ECS 210 Feb. 1st

To be a good student in today’s society, one must conform to commonsense. Commonsense defines a good student as someone is a good listener, approachable and imaginative. I feel as if these aspects of being a good student are a part of the modern system of education. Looking back at my high school experience, I feel as if my peers that were most successful had traits similar, and also had good work ethic and were accountable for their work. I also think that for younger students, being imaginative and approachable allow for good teachers to use different methods of teaching to ensure that an individual is getting the best form of education for them. 

Students are privileged by this definition of commonsense because those who have not developed the traits are looked at as lesser in terms of intelligence. When observing others teach in previous courses, I have developed the opinion that children are all imaginative, but some lack approachability when it comes to work, discipline and respect. I think this privileges those who have developed such characteristics because everyone progresses differently, both intellectually and personally. When characterizing two students, teachers would be inclined to teach the student who is approachable compared to the one who is not. This creates an imbalance within the classroom and creates inequitable opportunity. 

I think perceiving commonsense as an idea rather than directive allows me to see the societal norms it creates. Previously, I believed commonsense to be a regular aspect of life, but lacked in seeing the marginalization that is associated with it. Now I can fully comprehend how commonsense only benefits the majority, and anything that doesn’t qualify as ‘normal’ is limited. From my own point of view, I see simple things as normal that other cultures would see as extraordinary, while things they do seem completely foreign to me.