{"id":3506,"date":"2018-07-19T08:00:15","date_gmt":"2018-07-19T13:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/totscouting.org\/use-googles-morse-code-keyboard-flash-cards-to-teach-scouts-their-dits-and-dahs\/"},"modified":"2018-07-19T08:00:15","modified_gmt":"2018-07-19T13:00:15","slug":"use-googles-morse-code-keyboard-flash-cards-to-teach-scouts-their-dits-and-dahs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/totscouting.org\/use-googles-morse-code-keyboard-flash-cards-to-teach-scouts-their-dits-and-dahs\/","title":{"rendered":"Use Google\u2019s Morse code keyboard, flash cards to teach Scouts their dits and dahs"},"content":{"rendered":"
Google wants to teach the world Morse code.<\/p>\n
The company has released a number of high-tech \u2014 and low-tech \u2014 options for learning this\u00a0dot-and-dash communication method.<\/p>\n
While primarily designed for people with accessibility needs, these new tools are big news for Scouts and Scout leaders, as well. I\u2019m especially referring to those who want to teach or earn the Signs, Signals and Codes merit badge, which debuted in 2015<\/a>.<\/p>\n It begins with Google\u2019s Gboard keyboard, available for iPhone<\/a> and Android<\/a> devices. The keyboard, which replaces your mobile device\u2019s existing keyboard, has added an option for Morse code. (Side note: Gboard offers one of the best standard keyboards, too.)<\/p>\n Next, Google has introduced a\u00a0Morse Typing Trainer game<\/a>\u00a0that the company says can teach users Morse code in less than an hour.<\/p>\n But I saved my favorite thing for last: these printable Morse code posters and cards<\/a>. They\u2019re available for you to use, modify and print free of charge. The only requirement is that you provide attribution to Google, LLC.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The \u201cHello Morse\u201d cards use clever pictographs to help you learn each letter.<\/p>\n Take the letter M, for example. In Morse code, an M is dah-dah or two dashes. Two dashes, it turns out, kind of look like a mustache. \u201cMustache\u201d starts with the letter M.<\/p>\n Got it? Good! You\u2019re 1\/26th of the way there.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n All this new stuff could help Scouts fulfill requirement 3A of the Signs, Signals and Codes merit badge<\/a>, which reads:<\/p>\n a. Describe what Morse code is and the various means by which it can be sent. Spell your first name using Morse code. Send or receive a message of six to 10 words using Morse code.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nSigns, Signals and Codes merit badge<\/h2>\n
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