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 Sept. 14-18 will focus on Tech and Energy, Pinterest and Crowdfunding.

In addition to classes in English, two classes during Sept. 14-18 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 Sept. 14-18 will include:

• Tech and Energy: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 11 a.m.- noon. Learn about the top energy users in the home and how to spend less money on energy. Learn how internet-connected smart plugs, power-strips and ENERGY STAR appliances use less energy.
• Pinterest: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Get an introduction to the platform and learn how it can be used to pin healthy recipes and more.
• Fall into $aving$: Thursday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m.- noon. Join the Department of Environmental Protection’s Residential Energy Program Manager for a rousing game of “Fall into $aving$.” This fun, interactive online game will cover tips and tricks to help participants keep money in their pocket. All participants will also receive a Home Comfort Kit, which will be mailed to their homes.
• How to Use Zoom: Thursday, Sept. 17, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Join this program for orientation on using Zoom videoconferencing software. Learn the features available to video chat with friends and family, and to take virtual classes with Senior Planet. Program is designed for beginner Zoom users.
• IoT and Entertainment: Thursday, Sept. 17, 4–5 p.m. Lecture will explore various interactions with IoT on a day-to-day basis and look at how it is revolutionizing entire industries.
• Crowdfunding: Friday, Sept. 18, 11 a.m.- noon. Presentation will explore crowdfunding—fundraising by gathering small amounts of money from large numbers of people—online. Learn the fundamentals of using a crowdfunding campaign to raise money as well as how to search for and contribute to other people’s campaigns.

Clases en Español:

• Aplicaciones DE “Viajes Compartidos” (Ride Sharing Apps): Lunes, 14 de Septiembre. 11 a.m.- noon. ¡Las aplicaciones han cambiado cómo movilizamos! En esta presentación, exploraremos las aplicaciones de viajes compartidos (“ride-sharing”), también conocidos como aplicaciones de “e-hailing”. Aprenderá sobre las dos aplicaciones más populares - Uber y Lyft - y las ventajas y desventajas de las dos.
• Tech Talk: Cómo administrar tu correo electrónico: Miércoles, 16 de Septiembre. 11 a.m.- noon. ¡Administrar una cuenta de correo electrónico puede parecer una tarea sin fin! Ya sea saber qué hacer cuando recibe spam o correos electrónicos fraudulentos o simplemente examinar correos electrónicos promocionales, mantenerse al día puede ser abrumador. Únase a esta charla técnica para conocer las mejores prácticas para administrar sus correos electrónicos.

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/.

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