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 July 20-24 will focus on Messaging Apps, Cloud Storage, eBay and PayPal.

In addition to classes in English, two classes during July 20-24 will be delivered in Spanish. A variety of exercise classes also will be offered.

During the Spring quarter, more than 4,700 participants joined 124 virtual programs hosted by Senior Planet Montgomery. In July, classes will cover Computer and Internet Basics, Shopping and Entertainment Online, Financial Tools and Saving Money Online and Zoom.

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 July 20-24 will include:

• Messaging Apps: Tuesday, July 21, 11 a.m.-noon. Learn about the most popular messaging apps that allow users to send texts for free when connected to WiFi and understand features of three widely-used apps: iMessages, Hangouts and WhatsApp.
• All Things Zoom: Tuesday, July 21, 2-3 p.m. Learn how to use Zoom video conferencing software to chat with friends and family—and how to take virtual classes with Senior Planet.
• Ride Sharing Apps: Tuesday, July 21, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Learn about the two most popular apps — Uber and Lyft — and the pros and cons of both.
• How to Initiate a Zoom Meeting: Wednesday, July 22, 2-3 p.m. Program will go over the features of having and using a Zoom account: how to create an account, create a meeting, share meeting details, invite participants and adjust meeting settings.
• Hello Montgomery County!: Wednesday, July 22, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Join fellow Montgomery County residents for an hour of socializing. Share locally relevant tips and tricks and hear community updates.
• All Things Zoom: Wednesday, July 22, 4-5 p.m. Learn how to use Zoom video conferencing software to chat with friends and family—and how to take virtual classes with Senior Planet.
• Cloud Storage: Thursday, July 23, 11 a.m.-noon. Learn the basics of cloud storage — a technology that lets you store documents, images and other media files remotely while providing greater accessibility, reliability and protection for important data.
• Spotify: Thursday, July 23, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Learn about Spotify’s important features, including how to search for songs and create personalized playlists.
• eBay and PayPal: Friday, July 24, 11 a.m.-noon. Lecture provides an overview of the popular auction website eBay and the pioneer online payment service PayPal. Learn the basics of buying and selling on eBay, as well as some important concepts, such as seller feedback scores.

Clases en Español:

• Internet de las cosas (Internet of Things): Lunes, 20 de Julio. 11 a.m.-noon. Esta presentación le dará un resumen del mundo grande del “internet de cosas.” También, le presenta las mejores prácticas para mantener la seguridad de sus dispositivos. Aprenda cómo los dispositivos para consumidores comunican entre ellos a través de este ecosistema y cuáles de sus propios dispositivos conforman partes del “internet de cosas.” También, aprenderá sobre la tecnología detrás de casas inteligentes y ciudades inteligentes.
• Compras en línea (Online Shopping): Miércoles, 22 de Julio. 11 a.m.-noon. Comprando productos por el internet le permite hacer compras desde su computadora y enviarlas a su casa o a cualquier dirección indicada. Tiendas en línea frecuentemente tienen un inventario más grande y precios más bajos, que le permite encontrar mejores ofertas. Esta presentación le dará una introducción general de las compras en línea usando un sitio popular, Amazon.com. Aprenderá cómo buscar por productos, hacer comparaciones y añadir artículos a la canasta de compras.

For more information about Senior Planet Montgomery and to view its virtual program offerings, visit https://seniorplanet.org/Montgomery. The team can be contacted at 240-753-0676 or via email at mocoinfo@seniorplanet.org.

To sign up for the Senior Planet Montgomery newsletter, which includes detailed information about upcoming classes, go to https://seniorplanet.org/get-involved/newsletters/.

# # #

Put the “count” in Montgomery County! Be sure to complete the Census online, by phone, or by mail. It’s safe, confidential, easy, and important. #2020Census #EveryoneCountsMCMD 

For the latest Reopening Montgomery updates, visit the County’s website and follow Montgomery County on Facebook @MontgomeryCountyInfo and Twitter @MontgomeryCountyMD.

• County News
  • County Council
  • Fire and Rescue
  • Public Library
  • Police
  • Transportation
• Public Information Office
  • PIO Home
  • Information Officers
  • Publications
  • Film in County
  • Montgomery Updates
  • Performance Plan