I think there should be dual topics that get attention concurrently: Optimized Character Generation and Role-play Heavy/Flawed Character Generation. Both are worthwhile and one or both can be hard concepts for beginners to wrap their head around, depending on their formative/first gaming experiences.
Then possibly a course on useful spells, less than useful spells, over-rated spells and which ones to pick.
Careful use of language so as NOT to predispose a new player or DM to a certain method of play might be a good idea.
Optomized? Flawed? Less-than-useful? Over-rated? All this language serves to do is to teach new players and DM's the intructors personal OPINION.
New players and DM's deserve to make these decisions based on personal observation, do they not?
Sure, it does. But then, I fail to see the problem, since it is still the individual's choice as to what they want to take from it.
Torag's balls, man, there is almost no way to remove opinion entirely. So why bother? Let people make their own choices, either way. There is no wrongbadfun, as as I am concerned. But the ideas I had would get people interested.
You act like this an argument against Public School Indoctrination. Lighten up. It's a game.
As an educator, you need to be careful with pacing.
Teach one thing at a time, and move on when that one thing is learned.
I found post-it notes to work well, to show threatened areas. That's the key to understanding AOs, seeing where the risky spots are.