Senior Planet Montgomery Free Online Classes for Seniors May 31- June 3 will include ‘Voice Assistants’ and ‘Drones’

For Immediate Release: Friday, May 27, 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 31- June 3 will include “Voice Assistants” and “Drones.”

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.

There will not be programming on May 30 due to Memorial Day.

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 31 – June 3 will include:

• Voice Assistants: Tuesday, May 31, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Amazon’s Alexa and the Google Home can do everything from playing music to ordering an Uber. Learn about the many devices, current uses, and future implications of Voice Assistants
• Drones: Thursday, Jun 2, 10:30-11:30 a.m. This lecture will cover the basics about drones: what they are, who uses them and why.
• Streaming and Smart TVs: Thursday, Jun. 2, 4-5 p.m. This presentation will give an introduction to streaming what it is, how to use it, and the variety of content available.

Class in Mandarin:

• 行動健康應用程式6/1, 12 - 1 p.m. 您知道您的智慧型手機也是一台能幫您衡量您健康狀況的工具嗎？這堂講座會給您一些普遍健康狀況應用程式的簡介，像是 iPhone 的預設應用程式和 Google Fit 的應用程式 。您會認識如何使用這些應用程式的計步器，而且融合其它熱門的健康和健身的應用程式上追蹤的資料。您也會學習把您資料存在您醫療卡上的好處。

English Translation for Class in Mandarin:

• Mobile Health Apps: Wednesday, Jun. 1, noon-1 p.m. This lecture introduces common health apps, like the iPhone's built-in app and the Google Fit app. You'll learn about using the app's step counter, as well as integrating information from other popular health and fitness apps. You'll also learn the benefits of saving your medical ID.

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: 22-326
Media Contact: Neil H. Greenberger 240-205-1915
Categories: Senior