What it Means to be a Good Student

To be a “good” student is to comply with the predetermined, embedded ideas that society had established for many years that have now become accustomed to the general population. Kumashiro describes in his article that “the mainstream society often placed values on certain kinds of behaviour, knowledge, and skills.” We see that some of these qualities a “good” student possess is being a good listener, doing what the teacher asks for either that be tasks or assignments, and being able to understand and complete the work without arguing or causing any issues. 

Students who grew up with these embedded ideas society has created, who are obedient, listen, follow along and work well with the teachers’ methods tend to be often privileged, since the system of education is tailored for them. It is the students who do not function well with the structure and methods teachers tend to use who are disadvantaged and looked at as “poor” students. For instance child M, Kumashior describes as not being the student that society and schools determine to be, which creates challenges for them as well as other students who “don’t fit the description.” 

These preconceived ideas society creates have been around for a very long time. Through Painter’s article, we find that these ideas of a “good” student have been influenced by historical factors. Painter describes how education “sets forth the principles and methods which have prevailed at various periods and in different lands.” He notes that by looking at the past it allows for no mistakes to be repeated, which allows for the current education systems to show “what is correct in principle and valuable in method.” This enforces the ideas that society claims that there are right and wrong ways to live, act, and go about your education. 

Painter explained in China how important all their traditional customs and culture were valued, and when anyone disobeyed or did not follow it was negatively looked upon and “stigmatized as barbarous.” These actions make it clear for people that they are supposed to follow these social norms or else there could be consequences or negative affects. Their education objective was to “impress upon each generation traditional ideas and customs, and thus prepare it to take its place naturally in the established order of society. “

In his chapter regarding India, we see how they have their own socially constructed norms when it comes to education and life. An enjoyable life to most just included eating, drinking, and sleeping. The teachers established ideas to the ways of life from their rights and privileges, what they should/shouldn’t eat, wear, and ideas around things such as marriage. 

Clearly, we see throughout history society creates these “normal” ideas in all aspects of life that are perceived and embedded in the majority of the population’s head. This makes life and education extremely difficult for the people who do not comply with society’s set norms as well the possibility for any change because of the stubbornness and ignorance of most.