Re: Online Publications Merit Badge

I am a computer systems engineer and have been dealing with online
data since before the "pc" came out. There are always two sides to any
issue. Several years ago they said we would be a more "paperless" and more
electronic and online. The truth is paper printing has gone up. People like
to "dogear" and highlight books for study and reference.
I have tons of manuals on CD and in files. A floppy disk is not
much value when I need schematics in a wiring closet. The other
disadvantage is locating what I need (much like the Internet Web).
There is great value in having things online. I would love to have
everything up to date and in my computer. I wish the advancement
requirements book that updates every two years were in electronic form.
I don't believe the BSA is making a fortune on merit badge books. I
remember personally using a pioneering merit badge book that was out of
date by 15 years. The pictures of tripod and square lashings did fine for
us.
At summer camp and at some meetings group Merit Badge programs
benefit from each scout having his own copy of the requirements. Schools
have conditioned the scouts to this method. Many times the counselors will
have them paired off and test each other on requirements after the lecture
portion of the program is complete. There is no tougher enforcer on
correctness than the boys themselves. I have seen many learn First Aid and
Safe Swim Defense in this manner.
Finally, I recommend the use of both hardcopy and electronic
publications. Learning is teaching,reviewing and testing and whatever
method best fits the end user that is what they should use.

Yours in Scouting,

Vince Arca Scoutmaster Troop 8 Augusta Georgia

" A picture is worth a thousand words"

I

• Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
• Next message
• Previous message