They should not be of a different quality of sound. One of the worst sins we commit as early students is to adopt a quality of detached playing that differs from the basic tone. Staccato is almost always too short. The word means detached, not short. So conceptually, the idea must be not specifically technical, but musical, from the aspect of the sound.
Every mouth is different as are teeth, lips and tongue.
Stay on the side of the sound itself. Work from that aspect, for not only will it work for everyone, it will also make the student concentrate fully on exactly what is coming from the instrument. Then start in the low register with articulation, for it is much easier, much more direct. Always go very slowly, and keep the sound in mind. The tongue can be in a dozen different position depending upon your use of the language and the particular set of the student's embouchure.