Senior Planet Montgomery Free Online Classes for Seniors May 9-13 will include ‘Fitness Apps’ and ‘Introduction to Social Media’

For Immediate Release: Friday, May 6, 2022

Senior Planet Montgomery, a technology training program designed for County learners 50 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 for Seniors May 9-13 will include “Fitness Apps” and “Introduction to Social Media.”

In addition to classes in English, two classes will be taught in Spanish, and one class will be taught in Mandarin. A variety of exercise classes also will be offered.

During the fall and winter program quarters, more than 2,000 participants joined 201 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 week of May 2-6 will include:

• Fitness Apps: Tuesday, May 10, 10:30-11:30 a.m. This lecture covers many different types of fitness apps, for whatever health and wellness goals.
• Let’s Go Solar: Tuesday, May 10, 3-4 p.m. This session brings together experts on going solar specifically participating in a solar cooperative and community solar.
• Introduction to Social Media: Thursday, May 12, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Learn about some of the more popular social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
• Mobile Health Apps: Thursday, May 12, 4-5 p.m. This lecture introduces common health apps, like the iPhone's built-in app and the Google Fit app.

Class in Mandarin:

• 視訊交談5/11, 12 - 1 p.m. 視訊交談的應用程式是一種可以跟家人、朋友、在國內或國外，以及您在旅行時的一種聯繫方式。您可以用這些程式看到與您在線上聯絡的人。在這堂講座裡，您會學習到一些常用和免費到低價的視訊交談應用程式，學習它們的各個特徵，以及研究一些視訊交談的技巧，讓您在視訊時都可以隨時展現自己最美的一面。English Translation for Class in Mandarin:
• Video Chat: Wednesday, May 11, noon-1 p.m. Video chat apps are a way to connect with family and friends, locally or internationally, and even when you’re traveling. They let you see the people you’re chatting with on the other end of the line. In this lecture, you’ll find out about some commonly-used, no or low-cost video chat apps, learn about their features, and explore video chat tips so you can present your best self when on 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: 22-270
Media Contact: Neil H. Greenberger 240-205-1915
Categories: Senior