Don't know about the radios, I usually just tune in the ILS if I can't get the FMC to fix the ILS.

If it's any consolation VNAV in the real Dash isn't used much beyond ascertaining a TOD point. VS is generally used, with the VNAV indicator used as a reference. Determining level off alt at a given point is done using the good old 3 times your altitude and half your groundspeed to give ROD. So if you have to descend from 20,000 feet to 10,000 you need 30 miles to do it (3x10) and at 250 Kts you'd need 1250fpm on the ROD (250/2x10). You'd also use the range arc on the Nav display to see how far out you are from the airport or particular Nav aid to help with situational awareness, as well as the DME etc.

After you press the appr button, you have to change  the button from FMS1 to NAV1, otherwise the glideslope will not be grabbed.