10.23.2020 Senior Planet Montgomery Free Online Classes for Seniors Oct. 26-30
Senior Planet Montgomery, a technology training program designed for County learners 60 and older, is offering free online classes that focus on how to thrive at home. Classes, which are offered live via video conference, enhance a wide variety of life skills. Classes Oct. 26-30 will include Food Delivery Apps and Zoom.
In addition to classes in English, two classes during Oct. 26-30 will be delivered in Spanish. A variety of exercise classes also will be offered.
During the spring and summer program quarters, more than 7,000 participants joined 234 virtual programs hosted by Senior Planet Montgomery. This fall, classes will cover how to use and host on Zoom, online basics, popular social media sites, lowering one’s utility bill, financial security and civic engagement.
The program is supported by the County’s Department of Technology Services’ ultraMontgomery program in partnership with nonprofit OATS (Older Adults Technology Services). The County’s Department of Recreation and Montgomery County Public Libraries also are partners in helping provide the classes at no charge to participants.
Sessions concentrate on user-friendly tools and resources and are designed to enable older adults to learn to utilize technologies to improve their daily lives. Senior Planet Montgomery utilizes curricula created by OATS, which also provides training staff and works with numerous County departments to identify topics of interest for Montgomery residents. OATS sponsors similar Senior Planet programming in six states. The County’s Department of Environmental Protection contributes to the program’s course offerings by producing sessions on how to lower energy costs.
Classes change on a weekly basis. A home internet connection and a device (such as a smartphone, tablet or computer) are all that is required to participate.
Classes to be offered Oct. 26-30 will include:
- Smart Thermostats: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 3-4 p.m. October is Energy Action Month. Learn about lowering heating and cooling bills using programmable and smart thermostats. For example, learn the benefits of installing a programmable or smart thermostat and the availability of incentives like rebates through the Empower Maryland program. Smart thermostats can be integrated into a smart home and controlled through apps and smart home hubs like Alexa and Google Home.
- How to Choose a New Computer: Thursday, Oct. 29, 4-5 p.m. This informational session addresses some of the most common questions surrounding how to choose a new computer: Where to start? What’s a reliable brand? How much should you budget? What technical specifications? Learn about operating systems and compare alternatives to the traditional computer, e.g. tablets and Chromebooks.
- Food Delivery Applications: Friday, Oct. 30, 11 a.m.-noon. Ordering food from home is now easier than ever thanks to the Internet. Lecture provides an overview of the most popular food delivery apps, such as Seamless. Learn about the pros and cons of food delivery applications, how to search for new restaurants and how to leave a tip and rating.
- Zoom Questions and Answers: Friday, Oct. 30, 2-3 p.m. Lecture is designed for beginner Zoom users. For those who have attended other sessions on Zoom and could use a bit more help, this lecture on using Zoom videoconferencing will be a great fit. Zoom works with iOS, Android and Windows operating systems. Zoom can be used in a browser, or through the app on a device. A Zoom account is not required to join this lecture.
For more information about Senior Planet Montgomery and to view its virtual program offerings, visit https://seniorplanet.org/
