Prescott (2004) set
out to compare the value of teaching for qualitative understanding of projectile motion before introducing
quantitative problems, in contrast to the usual method of having students solve as many quantitative
problems as possible. Although Prescott found that the qualitative-first approach was better, an unexpected
finding was that the more deep-seated misconceptions (impetus theory) were more difficult to address in
the classroom and that "the most significant factor determining whether student misconceptions were
eliminated was found to be the teachers’ ability to deal with their own misconceptions." Both preservice
and in-service teacher educators might keep in mind that it takes confidence and hard intellectual work for
adults to "deal with their own misconceptions" but that such work is essential if we are eventually to
succeed with students.