Senior Planet Montgomery Free Online Classes for Seniors Jan. 25-29 Will Include Programmable Smart Thermostats and Food Delivery Applications

For Immediate Release: Friday, January 22, 2021

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 Jan. 25-29 will include Programmable Smart Thermostats and Food Delivery Applications.

In addition to classes in English, two classes during Jan. 25-29 will be delivered in Spanish and one class will be delivered in Mandarin. A variety of exercise classes also will be offered.

During the summer and fall program quarters, more than 4,000 participants joined 213 virtual programs hosted by Senior Planet Montgomery. This winter, 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 Jan. 25-29 will include:

• Programmable and Smart Thermostats: Tuesday, Jan. 25, 3-4 p.m. Learn about the benefits of installing a programmable or smart thermostat as well as incentives like rebates through the Empower Maryland program. Additionally, learn how smart thermostats can be integrated into a smart home and controlled through apps and smart home hubs like Alexa and Google Home.
• Food Delivery Apps: Thursday, Jan. 28, 4-5 p.m. Ordering food from home is now easier than ever thanks to the internet. Lecture provides an overview of the most popular food delivery apps, such as Seamless. Learn about the pros and cons, how to search for new restaurants, and how to leave a tip and rating.
• Startup!: Friday, 29, 11 a.m.-noon. Lecture gives an overview of some important digital tools to help get an online business up and running. Learn about e-commerce sites, how social media can help promote a business and how to use video chat platforms for services. Lecture will also cover how to get paid using digital payment services.

Clases en Español:

• Las Transmisiones en Vivo y Televisores Inteligentes (Streaming and Smart TVs): Lunes, 25 de Enero, 11a.m.-noon. Cada día, más y más personas están “cortando los cables” y cancelando sus suscripciones de cable. En vez de cable, más personas están usando servicios de “streaming” gratuitos o de bajo costo, como Youtube, Netflix, y Hulu, para ver sus programas y películas en línea. Aprenderá información general sobre “streaming”: qué es, cómo usarlo, y la variedad de contenido disponible. También aprenderá cómo ver programas en vivo por televisión, y cómo los televisores inteligentes y dispositivos que usan la transmisión en vivo o "streaming" le permite ver videos del internet con el televisor.
• Todo Sobre Televisores Inteligentes: Miércoles, 27 de Enero, 11 a.m.- noon. ¿Tienes curiosidad por saber más sobre el uso de los televisores inteligentes y “streaming”? Los servicios populares como Netflix, Youtube, y Hulu pueden hacer que sea conveniente ver programas y películas en su casa. ¡Únase a este programa para obtener respuestas a todas sus preguntas de televisores inteligentes y “streaming”!

Class in Mandarin:

• All Things Zoom 關於 Zoom 的一切: (三), 1/27, 12:00pm- 1:00pm EST. 想知道為什麼 Zoom 近期已成為大家必用的視訊會議軟件嗎？在這堂講座裡，我們會複習如何使用 Zoom 與家人朋友聊天以及與 Senior Planet 線上學習！您也會學到 Zoom 的主要特徵，不管是用 iOS、Android 或 Windows 連起使用。我們也會複習視訊裡的安全措施和視訊時該如何展現自己眉清目秀的樣子

English Translation for Class in Mandarin:

• All Things Zoom (Mandarin): Wednesday, Jan. 27, 12 - 1p.m. Curious why Zoom has become everyone's go-to video conferencing software? This lecture will go over how to use Zoom to chat with friends & family, and take virtual classes with Senior Planet! You'll learn about useful Zoom features, whether you're connecting with an iOS, Android, or Windows device. The lecture will also go over security considerations and give tips on how to look your best during a video chat.

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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Release ID: 21-049
Media Contact: Neil H. Greenberger 240-205-1915
Categories: Recreation