Senior Planet Montgomery Free Online Classes for Seniors Feb. 15-19 Will Include Programmable and Smart Thermostats and Virtual Museum Tours

For Immediate Release: Friday, February 12, 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 will include Programmable and Smart Thermostats and Virtual Museum Tours.

In addition to classes in English, two classes during Feb. 15-19 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 Feb. 15-19 will include:

• Programmable and Smart Thermostats: Tuesday, Feb. 15, 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.
• Hello Montgomery County: Thursday, Feb. 18, 2-3 p.m. Join fellow MoCo residents for an hour of socializing.
• Wearables: Thursday, 18, 4-5 p.m. Lecture will cover the health, wellness and personal safety benefits of wearable technology, from fitness trackers to smart glasses.
• Virtual Museum Tours: Friday, 19, 11 a.m.—noon. Tour world famous museums from the comfort of your home. Many of the world’s leading museums have made their collections and exhibits available to view virtually. This lecture will explore these virtual galleries, as well as digital tools that help bring art, architecture, and history to life.

Clases en Español:

• Compras en Línea: Lunes, 15 de Febrero. 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.
• Todo Sobre Compras en Línea: Miércoles, 17 de 11 a.m.-noon. Tienes preguntas sobre comprando cosas en línea? ¿Interesado en los sitos son más populares? ¡Únase a este programa para que todas sus preguntas compras en línea sean respondidas!

Class in Mandarin:

• iPhone（ 蘋果手機 : (三), 2/17, 12:00pm- 1:00pm EST. 如果您好奇 iPhone 能做些什麼和為什麼它那麼的普遍，歡迎來看聆聽這堂講座。您會學到最新款項的 iPhone 與它的特徵以及您想買一台 iPhone 的話，該考慮些什麼項目。請注意，這堂講座的目的不是要教您如何使用 iPhone--如果您有那方面的疑惑，您可以請教我們的一對一的電腦科技的協助團隊。

English Translation for Class in Mandarin:

• If you are curious about what an iPhone can do and why it is so popular, come to this lecture. You will learn about the latest iPhone, its features and what to consider if you are thinking of buying one. Please note this lecture will not teach you how to use your iPhone--ask about our Tech Talks if you need assistance with your iPhone.

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 [email protected].

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: 21-105
Media Contact: Neil H. Greenberger 240-205-1915
Categories: Senior