A couple of people have already mentioned it, but I think first hand lessons are absolutely required for the message to sink in. I never had to take the course because I was grandfathered since I had my license before they were required in Maine, but my son will have to take one. And there is no way I'm relying on them to teach him everything he needs to know. He's getting his "safety education" walking the woods with me from this year for the next five years before he even gets to carry a gun.

Frankly, apart from the game identification (which is useful for things like bear ID and, much more difficult waterfowl ID), most of what they teach is common sense - be aware of your muzzle, never slip the safety off until you are ready to shoot, be sure of your target and background, etc. If you don't already have these kind of things in your head when you take the course, I don't think much is going to help you (or the guy you're eventually going to shoot).