Well, I know a bevel sure would make things a hell of a lot easier. lol ;-)  You can do it, but it's not a consistent practice.  You'll be needing to have some serious amps and a nice whip.  Maybe that is what your teacher is trying to achieve here.  He may be trying to teach you control and how to read the puddle for whiping.  Then, when you start to take the time to bevel plates, you will have a much better idea of what's going on and will not have wasted all that time you spent preping the plate.