Senior Planet Montgomery Free Online Classes for Seniors April 12-16 will Include Lighting and Smart Bulbs and Job Searching in the Digital Age

For Immediate Release: Friday, April 9, 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 Lighting and Smart Bulbs and Job Searching in the Digital Age.

In addition to classes in English, one class during April 12-16 will be delivered in Spanish and one class will be delivered in Mandarin. A variety of exercise classes also will be offered.

During the fall and winter program quarters, more than 3,000 participants joined 210 virtual programs hosted by Senior Planet Montgomery. This spring, 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 April 12-16 will include:

• Lighting and Smart Bulbs: Tuesday, April 13, 3-4 p.m. Lecture reviews common lighting terminology like watts and lumens and explains the differences between the many types of bulbs currently on the market. Learn which bulb offer the most in terms of energy efficiency that can help lower a utility bill. Additionally, explore the benefits of smart bulbs and smart lighting and how they can be controlled through applications and smart home hubs like Alexa and Google Home.
• Hello Montgomery: Thursday, April 15, 2-3 p.m. Join fellow Montgomery County residents for an hour of socializing.
• Job Searching in the Digital Age: Thursday, April 15, 4-5 p.m. Lecture will provide an overview of how to use social media in job searches, demonstrate digital job searching tools like LinkedIn and will offer tips and advice to job seekers. Learn about new opportunities for freelance work and how to supplement your income in innovative ways.

Clases en Español:

• Pagos en Pares: Lunes, 12 de Abril 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Desde el debut de PayPal hace más de veinte años atrás, pagos en pares han convertido más comunes. Usted aprenderá de algunos de los servicios de pago más populares, incluyendo PayPal, Venmo, y Cash App. Vamos a cubrir algunas de los funciones básicos de estos servicios, cómo se comparan, y consejos para usarlos en una manera segura.

Class in Mandarin:

• All Things Zoom 關於 Zoom 的一切(三), 4/14, 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: 4/14, 12:00pm-1:00pm EST. Learn how to use Zoom video conferencing software to chat with friends & family and take virtual classes with Senior Planet! Zoom works with iOS, Android, and Windows operating systems. You can use Zoom in your browser, or you can download the app on your devices.
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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: 21-221
Media Contact: Neil H. Greenberger 240-205-1915
Categories: Senior