Holt observed that instead of trying to understand material, students develop "strategies" to dodge adult demands and "fish" for right answers:
Holt identifies three primary psychological barriers that prevent real learning in the classroom: John Holt - How Children Fail
: Students become "producers" who focus solely on providing the answer the teacher wants rather than "thinkers" who seek genuine understanding. Holt observed that instead of trying to understand
: Students may take wild guesses or mumble responses to increase their chances of appearing correct without actually knowing the material. Holt's Educational Philosophy John Holt - How Children Fail