I have similar preference. However, like many I started touring based first on what I had available (in my case a ten speed bicycle I had bought for $42.50 in a garage sale) and then adjust and upgrade as I went along. If when I started as a college student, the barrier to entry was an initial $2000 investment, I might not have gotten started. In the same way, depending on the intro class attendees I would customize the conversation depending on what folks already have. For example an initial step might be a conversation of why having a rack on the bicycle instead of backpack might be better - or the pro/con of bike shorts or gloves...

So I'd think more in terms of what key essentials are useful to get started, what might be next on the equipment list and eventually what is particularly nice to have...along with perhaps answering the "why" question on those things. However, I would emphasize that I had accumulated these things over many years of touring and point out that you can add to your equipment as you gain experience.