Simple circuits versus practical circuits

Students need to be taught the distinction between "simple" circuits and "practical" circuits.  A simple circuit has the minimum number of components necessary to perform its function. It is used to explain how the device (oscillator, amplifier, logic gate, etc.) works.  If you build the simple circuit it may take some adjustment ("playing") in order to get the device to function and its performance may be poor.  A practical circuit will typically have far more component parts but will function reliably.  The practical circuit is the one you will use regularly out in the world.