I find that the trick to effectively teach computer graphics is to create a clear narrative progression from simple to complex. This is not easy, but it can be done.
First I lead the students to creating something very simple. It needs to be something that is easy to implement but also gives them a sense of satisfaction and ownership.
Then we gradually add more capabilities. The important thing is that the student sees the clear effect of everything that they add. Nothing should be left to blind faith.
Gradually the student builds up their system, learning skills and gaining confidence as they go along. At each step it is important to suggest ways they can customize their system, so they get feel true pride of ownership.
Eventually the student has put together a fairly sophisticated system. Each step along the way was manageable, so the student is never overwhelmed by the process.
By the end of the class, students should have the confidence to strike out on their own. Ideally they will go on to create their own unique computer graphics.
I suspect that this approach might also work well for other topics.