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 Oct. 19-23 will include Online  Health Resources and Energy Action Month Trivia.

In addition to classes in English, two classes during Oct. 19-23 will be delivered in Spanish. A variety of exercise classes also will be offered.

During the spring and summer program quarters, more than 7,000 participants joined 234 virtual programs hosted by Senior Planet Montgomery. This fall, classes will cover how to use and host on Zoom, online basics, popular social media sites, lowering one’s utility bill, financial security and civic engagement.

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 Oct. 19-23 will include:

• Energy Action Month Trivia: Tuesday, Oct. 20, 3-4 p.m. October is Energy Action Month.  In collaboration with Montgomery Energy Connection, this Trivia Session will test energy knowledge and give some tips and tricks on how to lower utility costs. Learn how energy is connected to recycling, water, lawns and trees.
• Hello Montgomery County!: Thursday, Oct 22, 2-3 p.m. Join fellow MoCo residents for an hour of socializing.
• Online Health Resources: Thursday, Oct. 22, 4-5 p.m. The Internet can be an excellent source for learning more about a loved one’s health. This presentation will introduce the topics and tools offered on two reputable websites, MedlinePlus and Mayo Clinic. Learn how to evaluate health-related information online.
• Online Shopping: Friday, Oct. 23, 11 a.m.– noon. Lecture will provide a general introduction to shopping online using the popular website Amazon.com. Learn how to search for products, make comparisons and add items to an online shopping cart.

Clases en Español:

• Aplicaciones de Mensajería: Lunes, 19 de octubre, 11a.m.-noon. Esta conferencia analizará las características de tres aplicaciones ampliamente utilizadas: iMessages, Hangouts y WhatsApp. La presentación también presentará el envío de textos e imágenes, hacer llamadas de voz y video, y cómo estas aplicaciones mantienen los mensajes seguros.
• WhatsApp: Miércoles, 21 de octubre. 11 a.m.- noon. ¿Tiene curiosidad por saber sobre la aplicación de mensajería muy popular, WhatsApp? ¿Quiere practicar sus habilidades de mandar fotos y hacer llamadas de voz y video? ¡Únase a este programa para responder todas sus preguntas acerca de WhatsApp!

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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