I should be more clear about neo-converse arcs in the above paragraph but it is late... suffice it to say that there are really 3 different possible directions (traditional converse, neo-converse and direct) and they are measured differently in different arcs. I wasn't able to confirm my calculations of PD's in Delphic Oracle on traditional converse directions using Morinus because Morinus uses the modern definition of converse, but I was able to confirm the neo-converse directions.

Larxene wrote:My Saturnine mind will reject learning everything at once. I would restrict the scope by breaking things down into simpler components. For example, I might learn direct direction and oblique ascension first, because the first thing I want to direct is the Ascendant. I guess this will be how I go about it.

Yes, that's the best way. In my course I also teach directions of the angles before intermediate directions. The whole curriculum is here:
http://www.martingansten.com/pddc.php

Curtis is right that Morinus (traditional version) does do directions through the terms. It will do most kinds of traditional directions, though you may have to tweak it a bit occasionally. Delphic Oracle is more user-friendly for someone who wants to do primary directions the traditional way (and yes, the traditional converse directions are correct, too).