One thing I will say is that I believe a potch should only be used for chutzpah or defiance or emergency like running into the street.
I also do not believe that a Rebbe should potch except in extreme behavioral situations, if ever. I think in the past, it was common that if a child lost the place, or his mind drifted off or he did not know the answer, he was potched. This seems totally cruel and will likely turn off the child to learning for life.
Reb Shlomo Carlebach ZL had a brilliant insight. He asked why after the Holocaust did many gave up their Yiddishkeit and become totally non-frum, but others decided to hold onto it and raise their kids frum.
He answered that those kids who were potched by their parents or Rebbes for Yiddishkeit felt, I was potched enough by the Nazis, who needs additional potching for religious reasons.
But in those houses where Yiddishkeit was taught with warmth and happiness, the families said after the Holocaust, I can’t wait to teach my kids about the beauty of a Shabbos meal, having the family around the table, singing zemiros and eating delicious kugel.