I usually bleed master cylinders in a vice with bleeder tubes running from the outlet ports back into the reservoir. I just push the piston several times until all the air is out. However the shop manual says to use the bleeders on the master cylinder and pump fluid into a jar
partly filled with brake fluid. That seems easy enough although I'll need to figure out how to hold the jar in place while I pump the pedal.

Is there a reason to use the bleeders as opposed to the usual bleeding in a vice?

Also the shop manual says when bleeding the brakes to depress the plunger on the back of the proportioning valve for disc brake cars.
It says to use a special tool which of course I don't have. Can the same thing be accomplished using a wood shim or paint stick?
Thanks,
Doug