Hmmm, all very creative!!
How about using a simple planisphere? $20 and it
shows all the constellations as well as the ecliptic where the zodiac ones are!
That's what I did, used the planisphere, dialled up what date and time it was and then looked at it, looked up at the sky, looked at it etc....took no time at all.
Now I can even remember some of the main brighter stars by name and which constellation they belong to (such as Arcturus in Bootes and Altair in Aquila etc) simply by sight.
I think this was because I sat there one or more nights and looked up, tried to see which constellation was where and soon enough the divisions between each area started to become clear.
Take some time Brett, buy a large planisphere from a telescope shop or from Australian Geographic for about $20 and become familiar with whats up there. Certainly helps later on when star hopping or selecting brighter stars for when you get your goto scope.
Have fun, let go of your feelings Paduan......
Cheers
Chris