Free Online Classes For MoCo Seniors: Sept. 8-11

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 Sept. 7-11, participants will learn how to initiate a Zoom video conferencing call, contact lawmakers online, and navigate Instagram.

Courses are also offered in Spanish.

Take a look:

Lighting and Smart Bulbs

• When: Tuesday, Sept. 8, 11 a.m.- noon
• Description: Lecture reviews common lighting terminology like watts and lumens and explains the differences between the many types of bulbs currently on the market. Learn which bulbs offers the most in terms of energy efficiency that can help lower utility bills.

Instagram

• When: Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
• Description: Lecture offers an overview of some of Instagram's more popular features.

Creative Writing Club

• When: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
• Description: Join this program to reflect on the techniques of crafting poetry. Learn how to better develop writing style and voice.

Smart Thermostats

• When: Thursday, Sept. 10, 11 a.m.- noon
• Description: Learn the benefits of installing a programmable or smart thermostat as well as incentives like rebates through the Empower Maryland program. Learn how smart thermostats can be integrated into a smart home and controlled through apps and smart home hubs like Alexa and Google Home.

How to Use Zoom

• When: Thursday, Sept. 10, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
• Description: Join this program for orientation 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. The program is designed for beginner Zoom users.

Contacting Your Lawmakers

• When: Friday, Sept. 11, 11 a.m.- noon
• Description: Learn how a new app can help users stay informed and get their voices heard. Causes (formerly Countable) is a non-partisan website and app devoted to making the government more understandable. Presentation will introduce Countable and cover how to use it to identify congressional representatives and senators and send them messages about issues that matter.

La clase ofrecida el 9 de Septiembre:

Tech Talk: Cómo Usar el Zoom

• Cuando: Miércoles, 9 de Septiembre. 11 a.m.- noon
• Descripción: Únase a este programa para una orientación, preguntas y respuestas sobre el uso del software de videoconferencia Zoom como participante. ¡Aprenda las funciones disponibles para chatear por video con amigos y familiares, y tome clases virtuales con Senior Planet! Zoom funciona con los sistemas operativos iOS, Android y Windows. Puede utilizar Zoom en su navegador o puede descargar la aplicación en sus dispositivos. No necesita una cuenta de Zoom para unirse a una llamada o chatear. Este programa está diseñado para usuarios principiantes de Zoom.