I would agree with Steve. Considering the amount of overlap, I would aim to have them sit both with a break between.
I think it is important to establish an understanding of the fundamentals prior to starting. I would not let them open a book before I gave them them context on the subject matter.
For beginners I explain how we operated offices in the time before computers (I don't know if you go back that far
). How Typewriters were replaced, how memos were typed and copied with carbon paper (email format, CC etc.), how the inbox and outbox on the desk were replaced, how the PC reflects the desktop in an old office, how the method of storing documents in folders, stored in filing cabinets was replaced.. how spreadsheets replaced totting machines etc. And then eventually how things improved greatly when two computers could be connected to each other - how files could be shared.. how controls could be put in place to manage this when servers came into play.. how services could be shared. The next paradigm shift for me was databases - moving from flat file DBs to SQL Databases - how these would grow to hold all the data we could put into them and how we could get any relevant answer by querying the database using a structured query language.
I then draw a home network and explain the components and how it connects to the internet and go on to explain that this mirrors an office environment, one that they are likely to support at some stage if they continue this career path.
It helps to put context on the topics they will come across.
You should see little lightbulbs coming on in the learners as they factor in that email replaced paper-based communication and begin to understand how that email is converted into digital data and sent from their PC to an email server somewhere in the cloud which arrives in the recipients device (and almost instantaneously) and is converted back into a format that can be read by a human - and not only that - how it arrives at the correct recipient's mailbox!
Sorry.. I blathered on a little there - a sound foundation of concept will go a long way to keeping them interested in the subject matter.
Hope this helps!
John