Teacher mediation can intervene
to deliberately mis-understand, twist or change learners’ suggestions. This approach
can be used to check pupils’ ‘firm’ volition, understanding or commitment to an idea
or concept. Teachers often offer positive reinforcement clues indicating to learners
what the ‘correct’ solution is and this tends to curtail deeper, reflective thinking
about the task in hand. Students tend to halt their thinking once they perceive they
have achieved the ‘right’ answer.