Which component of the ecological model refers to external influences on a student's life?

The chosen answer is appropriate because the exosystem is defined as the level of the ecological model that includes external influences that indirectly affect a student’s development, such as parents' workplaces, community resources, and broader social systems. These influences can shape the experiences and opportunities available to the student, even if the student does not directly interact with these components.

In contrast, the microsystem includes the immediate environments that directly impact the student, such as family, school, and peer interactions. The macrosystem encompasses overarching cultural values, customs, and laws that influence a person's development on a broader scale. The chronosystem relates to the dimension of time and how events and transitions in a person’s life, as well as socio-historical contexts, can influence development.

Understanding these distinctions helps to recognize the complexity of various factors that can affect a student's educational experience and development. Thus, the exosystem is the correct component when considering external influences on a student's life.