The following advice on learning Morse is from:
Modern Practice of the Electric Telegraph. (.pdf)
Modern Practice Of The Electric Telegraph.
A Handbook For Electricians and Operators.
By Frank L. Pope.
Fourth Edition, Jan. 1871

"In learning to read by sound it is best for two persons to practice together, taking turns at reading or writing, and each correcting the faults of the other. The characters must first be learned separately, and then short words chosen and written very distinctly and well spaced, the speed of manipulation being gradually increased as the student becomes more proficient in reading. After becoming sufficiently well versed in the art to read at the rate of twenty-five or thirty words per minute, the best practice will be found in copying with a pen and ink from an instrument connected with a line employed in transmitting regular commercial messages, in order that the student may familiarize himself with the usages of the lines and minute details of actual telegraphic business.

"In conclusion, the student is warned against falling into the common error of expecting great results from little labor. To become an expert operator requires much time and patience, and the most unwearied application.

"Remember, that whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well. The time will seldom or never be found when a thoroughly competent operator cannot obtain immediate and remunerative employment, however overcrowded the lower walks of the profession may have become."

Advice worth it's weight in gold !!!

Obviously there have been improvements in learning to read Morse in the intervening 135 years, but only two of any real import:
  • 1. The development of the Koch method.
  • 2. The G4FON Trainer. (Yes, I'm aware of others.)
    And for sending improvement, there were:
  • 1. The Bug in 1904, and, eventually,
  • 2. The iambic keyers.
    The sequence of sending learning should be:
  • 1. Paddles/Iambic Keyers
  • 2. Straight Key (up to about 20-25 WPM)
  • 3. Bug (From about 15 WPM to 50+ WPM )

    Skip the Straight Key and Bug if you're satisfied with boring, lifeless sending; if you want to develop a "swing" that can be instantly recognized by your comrades, use the straight key and/or bug. (Check out the new SKCC.)

    But use iambic FIRST, or you will take FOREVER to learn how to send perfect, or even good, Morse. Only afterwards is it time to assert your individuality.

    Before attempting to send, read Chuck Adam's excellent article on sending at: http://www.k7qo.net/sending.pdf   (upd Sep 2013)