A few comments from an old goat that you might not want to hear. The dots on the instruments might be okay for a little while, and noters might be, too. But don't cripple new players with your ideas. I bought my first dulcimer in the mid 70's and have been playing it steadily since then. As one travels around the country to the many dulcimer festivals, he will find that most players use their fingers to fret the instruments, noit a noter. Low actions make this kind of fretting easier than high actions. Shorter string lengths make for easier chording. Teach your beginners any way you like, but don't inculcate them with your personal ideas about what is the "proper," or "only" or "right" way to play. This is not meant as criticism, just another point of view.