Senior Planet Montgomery Free Online Classes for Seniors June 6-10 will include ‘Online Shopping’ and ‘How to Spot Fake News’

For Immediate Release: Friday, June 3, 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 June 6-10 will include “Online Shopping” and “How to Spot Fake News.”

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 June 6-10 will include:

• Online Shopping: Tuesday, June 7, 10:30-11:30 a.m. This lecture will provide a general introduction to shopping online for everything from dish soap to groceries using the popular website Amazon.com.
• How to Spot Fake News: Thursday, June 9, 10:30-11:30 a.m. This lecture will provide a helpful explanation for the increase in the use of the term fake news, as well as give tools to evaluate news sources.
• Hello Montgomery: Thursday, June 9, 2-3 p.m. Join fellow MoCo residents for an hour of socializing.
• Online Tools for Contacting Lawmakers: Thursday, June 9, 4-5pm. Learn how online tools can help one stay informed and get their voice heard.

Class in Mandarin:

• Google 地圖6/8, 12 - 1 p.m. 在您舒適的家中探索全球的景點、由俯瞰的觀點看到您小時後的鄰區或是指引您到朋友家！Google 地圖是專門顯示地圖的應用程式，讓您得到衛星影像、路況地圖和街景的視野。它也有規劃路線的功能，讓您選起最想的交通工具，步行、車行或是大眾運輸方向。在這堂講座裡，您可以得到這個平台的簡介以及得到如何使用它的示範。

English Translation for Class in Mandarin:

• Google Maps: Wednesday, June 8, noon-1 p.m. Visit sites around the world from the comfort of your home, get a bird’s-eye-view of your childhood neighborhood, or simply get directions to your friend’s house! Google Maps is a mapping application that offers satellite imagery, street maps, and street-view perspectives. It also has a route planner for your preferred transportation method, be it foot, car, bicycle or public transportation. During this lecture, you’ll get an introduction to the platform and a demonstration of how to use it.

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: 22-331
Media Contact: Neil H. Greenberger 240-205-1915
Categories: Senior