[,4lex S.]

As useful as proper technical drawing skills are usefull, I think AutoCAD is a better place for this kind of drawing to be made. It is considerably faster, and produces something that can be easily moved around and manipulated. As cool as they look, I don't think they are worth the time nowadays.

I think if I was going to do any initial graphics instruction or work with an FRC team, I would try to teach freehand sketching. When it comes to graphics communication, the most important thing is usually the freehand; its fast, easy, and transmits more information per unit time used than other methods. As long as you teach it from a technical perspective (cutting planes, proper views, proper solid creation...) it gives a strong basis for 3D CAD instruction as well. A good 40% of my first year university graphics course was pure freehand, in order to lay the foundation for AutoCAD and Unigraphics.