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‘Senior Planet Montgomery’ Technology Classes Designed to Help Those 60-and-Over Live Better in a Variety of Ways Opens Registration for Winter Classes That Begin Monday, Feb. 3

For Immediate Release: Thursday, January 23, 2020

"Senior Planet Montgomery,” a free program offered through Montgomery County’s Department of Technology Services (DTS) to help learners 60-and-over take advantage of classes that can improve their lives, has opened registration for its winter classes that being on Monday, Feb. 3. The classes offer opportunities for residents to improve their financial security and health, open a new business, improve their ability to live independently or just use the internet for better daily living.

Classes meet twice a week over the course of five- or 10-week periods, depending on the course. The program, now in its fourth year, offers course instruction, books and devices to use in class at no charge to participants.

This winter, courses will take place at the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center in Wheaton, the Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center in Silver Spring, the Holiday Park Senior Center in Silver Spring, the North Potomac Senior Center in Rockville and the White Oak Recreation Center.

“I have learned a lot at Senior Planet,” said Celia Robin, Senior Planet past participant. “It has expanded my horizons and it has made me understand and see that things I thought were never possible before, are possible.”

In addition to multi-week courses, Senior Planet Montgomery offers lectures on popular technology topics throughout the County.

Registration for a particular course can be done by directly contacting the site of the class.

For more information about Senior Planet Montgomery, to sign-up for its newsletter or to view all its class and lecture offerings, visit seniorplanet.org/montgomery or contact the team at 240-753-0676 or via email at [email protected].

The list of courses for the winter session of Senior Planet Montgomery, the respective sites and registration information is as follows (with course descriptions after the schedules):

Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center: 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., Ste 506, Wheaton. 240-777-4940.

  • Computer Essentials (PC): Feb. 3-March 9 (Mondays and Wednesdays). 10-11:15 a.m.
  • Introducción de la cultura digital para computadora (PC):   3-March 9 (Mondays and Wednesdays). 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.

 White Oak Community Recreation Center: 1700 April Ln., Silver Spring. 240-777-6944.

  • Intro to Digital Culture (iPad): Feb. 4-March 5 (Tuesdays and Thursdays). 1:30-2:45 p.m.
  • iPad Essentials (iPad): Feb. 4-March. 5 (Tuesdays and Thursdays). 3:15-4:30 p.m.
  • Descubra la tecnología (iPad): Feb. 4-March 5 (Tuesdays and Thursdays).10-11:15 a.m.

 Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center: 1000 Forest Glen Rd., Silver Spring. 240-777-8085.

  • Chrome Essentials (Chromebook): Feb. 4-March 6. (Tuesdays and Fridays). 10:45 a.m.-noon.
  • Digital Storytelling (Chromebook): Feb. 4-March 6. (Tuesdays and Fridays). 12:45-2 p.m.

Holiday Park Senior Center: 3950 Ferrara Dr., Silver Spring. 240-777-4999.

  • iPad Essentials (iPad): Feb. 19-March 20. (Wednesdays and Fridays). 1:30-3 p.m. [NOTE: Please bring your own Apple iPad to this course.]

 North Potomac Senior Center: 13850 Travilah Rd., Rockville. 240-773-4805.

  • Intro to Digital Culture (iPad): Feb. 3-March 9. (Mondays and Wednesdays). 2:15-3:30 p.m.

 Course Descriptions

  • Chrome Essentials (five-week course): The course will cover the essentials of how to use a Chromebook. Chromebooks are fast, secure and cost-effective computers that run the Google Chrome operating system. By the end of the course, participants will have a foundation for using the device to navigate the Internet and also will learn to send and receive email. Prerequisites: None. The course is designed for people who have never used a Chromebook or have very little experience and want a solid introduction.
  • Computer Essentials (five-week course): Teaches the basic functions of a personal computer, how to navigate the Internet and how to send and receive email. It also will explore how to use online resources. Prerequisites: None.
  • Digital Storytelling (five-week course): The course will introduce Enwoven, an exciting digital storytelling platform. Participants will learn to use Enwoven to create stories through curated photos, videos, documents and audio recordings. It is a helpful course for anyone who has desired to share their life experiences with others or to create a narrative about topics that are important to them. Prerequisites: Participants must have an email address and should also be comfortable using a PC to navigate websites and search for information on the Internet.
  • Introduction to Digital Culture For iPads (five-week course): The course explores the growing role of the Internet in everyday life. Participants will learn how to connect more easily, avoid scams and fraud, identify reliable health resources and virtually attend cultural events and museum exhibits. Prerequisites: Participants should have already taken iPad Basics or iPad Essentials or be somewhat comfortable using a touchscreen on a tablet or smartphone. Participants must have an email address.
  • iPad Essentials (five-week course): Participants will learn the essentials of how to use the Apple iPad, how to navigate the Internet and how to send and receive email. Prerequisites: None.

Classes taught in Spanish

  • Descubra la tecnología (Explore Tech Series, 5 semanas): Obtendrá una introducción práctica a temas populares de tecnología tales como: Ebay y Paypal, Google Maps, Cómo elegir una computadora nueva, Recursos de salud en línea, Compras en línea, Recursos en línea sobre prescripción de medicamentos, Servicios de pagos en línea, Aplicaciones de transporte en teléfonos móviles como Uber y Lyft, Redes sociales como Facebook e Instagram, YouTube, y Teléfonos inteligentes. Prerrequisitos: Ningún.
  • Introducción de la cultura digital para computadora (Introduction to Digital Culture - PC, 5 semanas): Este curso de 5 semanas explorará el rol y el crecimiento del internet como parte de nuestras vidas cotidianas. Cuando usted termine el curso, entenderá como crear conexiones por el internet mas fácilmente, evitar estafas, identificar recursos de salud, y asistir a eventos culturales y exhibiciones de museos virtualmente. Prerrequisitos: Debe de haber tomado un curso de Fundamentos de la computadora o Conceptos esenciales de la computadora o sentirse cómodo utilizando la computadora. Tiene que tener una dirección de correo electrónico.

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Release ID: 20-024
Media Contact: Mitsuko Herrera 240-777-2928