Free Online Classes For MoCo Seniors: Aug. 24-28

GERMANTOWN, MD — Montgomery County seniors can take free online classes to learn how to better navigate life at home during the coronavirus pandemic.

Senior Planet Montgomery, the county's technology training program for residents 60 and older, typically offers lectures, hands-on workshops, and multi-week courses at libraries and senior centers. But during this public health crisis, Senior Planet Montgomery is moving all its programming online.

Many of the online sessions will focus on online user-friendly tools and resources for seniors.

"More Montgomery County seniors are online than ever before," said Montgomery County Chief Information Officer Gail M. Roper. "The Senior Planet Montgomery programs provide a means for them to get more out of their internet availability, and we hope, more out of life overall. We have programs that are geared specifically to support the way seniors learn best — which makes so many things easier to understand."

Classes change on a weekly basis. From Aug. 24-28, participants will learn how to use voice assistant technology, initiate a Zoom video conference call, and choose a new computer.

Courses are also offered in Spanish.

Take a look:

Voice Assistants

• When: Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
• Description: Learn about the many devices, current uses and future implications of voice assistant technology.

Creative Writing Club

• When: Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
• Description: Join this program for part two of reflecting on the techniques of crafting poetry. Continue building poems and learn how to better develop a writing style and voice.

How to Use Zoom

• When: Thursday, Aug. 27, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
• Description: Program designed for beginning Zoom users offers orientation and answers on using Zoom videoconferencing software as a participant. Learn the features available to video chat with friends and family, and how to take virtual classes with Senior Planet.

How to Choose a New Computer

• When: Thursday, Aug. 27, 4-5 p.m.
• Description: Informational session addresses some of the most common questions surrounding how to choose a new computer, including where to start, reliable brands, how to budget and explanations of technical specifications.

Age Friendly

• When: Friday, Aug. 28, 11 a.m.- noon
• Description: Lecture will address WHO's eight elements of an age-friendly city and what makes a business age-friendly. Learn how to use social media to advocate for age-friendly spaces and policies at local businesses.

Las clases a ofrecerse durante agosto 24-26 son las siguientes:

#AgeFriendly

• Cuando: Lunes, 24 de Agosto. 11 a.m.- noon
• Descripción: La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) ha pedido un mundo más amigable al envejecimiento ("age-friendly"), donde los adultos mayores puedan acceder, disfrutar y contribuir a sus comunidades y más. En esta lección, aprenderá sobre los ocho elementos de la OMS de una ciudad amigable al envejecimiento y qué hace que una empresa sea amigable al envejecimiento. También discutirá cómo usar las redes sociales para abogar por espacios y políticas amigables al envejecimiento en los negocios locales.

Todo Sobre Teléfonos Inteligentes

• Cuando: Miércoles, 26 de Agosto. 11 a.m.- noon
• Descripción: Los teléfonos inteligentes han cambiado la manera en que la gente se conecta una a otra y la tecnología continúa avanzando! Algunas de las medidas de seguridad podrian incluir reconocimiento facial y de voz y a menudo somos capaces de compartir nuestra ubicación con nuestros amigos y familiares. Algunas características de accesibilidad nos permiten incrementar el tamaño del texto, lectura de la pantalla en altavoz e incluso el dictado de mensajes de texto. Únete a este programa para compartir las características que tu has usado y recibir apoyo para tu conveniencia!

Click here to learn more about Senior Planet Montgomery and its virtual program offerings. You can also call and email the group at 240-753-0676 and mocoinfo@seniorplanet.org.