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 Aug. 3-7 will focus on Voice Assistants, Telemedicine and How to Use Zoom.

In addition to classes in English, two classes during Aug. 3-7 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. This summer, classes will cover Health and Fitness Technologies, the Internet of Things, Creative Writing, Civic Engagement Online and Using 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 Aug. 3-7 will include:

• Voice Assistants: Monday, Aug. 3, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Learn about the many devices, current uses and future implications of voice assistant technology.
• Telemedicine: Tuesday, Aug. 4, 11 a.m.- noon. Lecture provides an overview of telemedicine options and focuses on exploring virtual medical appointments with a doctor in real-time. Lecture also offers advice about how best to prepare for a virtual visit, from questions to ask to common concerns regarding connectivity, privacy and insurance.
• Internet of Things: Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lecture provides an overview of the vast world of the Internet of Things and discusses best practices for keeping devices secure.
• Hello Montgomery County: Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Join fellow Montgomery Country residents for an hour of socializing.
• How to Use Zoom: Wednesday, Aug. 5, 4-5 p.m. Join this program for an orientation and Q&A on using Zoom videoconferencing software as a participant. Learn about features available to video chat with friends and family and take virtual classes with Senior Planet. Program is designed for beginner Zoom users.
• Online Health Resources: Thursday, Aug. 6, 11 a.m.- noon. Lecture provides an introduction to topics and tools offered on two reputable websites, MedlinePlus and Mayo Clinic. Learn how to evaluate health-related information online.
• IoT and Entertainment: Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lecture will explore the many ways people interact with IoT on a day-to-day basis and take a look at how IoT is revolutionizing entire industries.
• Online Bill Pay: Friday, Aug. 7, 11 a.m.- noon. Learn how to set up an online account with a utility company and explore its many advantages, including automatic bill pay and paying with a credit card or from a bank account. Learn how to better understand a bill using the color charts and graphs that detail energy usage.

Clases en Español:

• Podcasts: Lunes, 3 de Agosto. 11 a.m.-noon. Los podcasts son una forma cada vez más popular de entretenimiento y una gran fuente de información sobre todo tipo de temas. En esta inteligentes, aprenderá más sobre estos programas de audio disponibles en Internet: por qué la gente los escucha, dónde puedes encontrarlos y cuáles son los más populares.
• Todo Sobre Podcasts: Miércoles, 5 de Agosto. 11 a.m.-noon. ¿Tienes preguntas sobre programas de audio conocidos como Podcasts? ¿Interesado en por qué la gente los escucha, dónde puedes encontrarlos y cuáles son los más populares? ¡Únase a este programa para que todas sus preguntas sobre Podcasts sean respondidas!

For more information about Senior Planet Montgomery and to view its virtual program offerings, visit https://seniorplanet.org/locations/montgomery-county/ . 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/ .

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