Pip management is something they likely have some sort of experience with. Even if they never had to do it as much, they will be familiar with the concept. Using AFMU and repair limpets is more likely to be completely alien to them. You may use them as an explorer, but not much else. They may understand they are supposed to do that, but it gets forgotten in the heat of the battle. Pips and shields are right in your HUD. Modules are not.Thats just wrong.
There is not "less things to keep track of" with shield. There is more: Pipmanagment. Without s shield you almost never have to bother with Pips on System. With shield you have.