The "Good" Student

 According to the commonsense understanding, a "good" student is one who is quiet, listens, follows instruction, completes their work and does well during assessments. These are all the things students are expected to learn that is "off the record" or not a part of the explicit curriculum. Kumashiro defines the "good" student as the kind of students who allow their teachers to have and maintain control of their classroom.  As a teacher, Kumashiro felt pressure from the school and society to produce this type of student. When he was not achieving this with his particular student, he felt as if he was not being an effective teacher. Painter described a "good" student one who's finished result was a "nobel man" prepared to become a member of society. Defining students as "good" based on their ability to conform to these not explicitly stated expectations is problematic.

The students who are privileged by this definition are the students who are able to learn in an environment with direct lecturing. Each student has a learning style that best suits them and expecting every child to fit in and learn in only one way is harmful to those who are unable to learn in the direct teaching method. Kumashiro mentioned how be began to believe his memorable student "M" was not a student who was able to fit into this ideal. Teachers need to provide and incorporate numerous styles of teaching into their daily routines in order to try to fit the needs of each individual student for them to have positive learning experiences. The other students who are privileged are the students from North America and that have been accustomed to this expected idea of what teaching and learning should be. 

Historically, the "good" student expectation has been taught for years within educational systems. How they behave in school will ultimately make them a "productive" member of society. Within Painter's reading, it mentioned how education stands in close relation to the civilization of people. It also stated how without education, man is helpless and ignorant, without the strength and knowledge necessary to maintain existence. The Painter reading illuminates the pressure put on educational systems to produce "good" students who eventually become the civilized members of society the government wishes for.

Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 2, 2020 at 11:34 AM

    As a future teacher what is your view and definition of a "good student". Do you agree with Kumashiro in how he explains the differences in different cultures and communities and the way they teach? I agree with you that teachers need to use many different styles of teachings to fit the needs of all students.

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