Personally I prefer the paper towel method for germinating. That way you can tell if they are viable seeds before you plant them. Why waste a pot of soil and waiting, waiting, waiting for a seed that won't even germinate?
Of course either way - straight into the soil or paper towel method will work fine if your seeds are good. That's a big 'if'.
There should be some light above the soil after the germinated seed has been planted. It needs something to grow towards. Try not to expose the root stem to light though. Roots don't like light and can damage them.