Senior Planet Montgomery Free Online Classes for Seniors July 18-22 will include ‘Wearables’ and ‘Lighting and Smart Bulbs’

For Immediate Release: Friday, July 15, 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 July 18-22 will include “Wearables” and “Lighting and Smart Bulbs.”

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

During the winter and spring program quarters, more than 2,000 participants joined 235 virtual programs hosted by Senior Planet Montgomery. This summer, 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 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 July 18-22 will include:

• Wearables: Thursday, July 21, 4-5 p.m. Come to this lecture to learn about the health, wellness, and personal safety benefits of wearable technology.
• Lighting and Smart bulbs: Friday, July 22, noon-1 p.m. Learn which bulb offers the most in terms of energy efficiency that can help lower a utility bill. Explore the benefits of smart bulbs and smart lighting and how they can be controlled through apps and smart home hubs like Alexa and Google Home.

Class in Mandarin:

• 在線保護您的個人信息7/20, 12 - 1 p.m. 本次講座將詳細說明如何在網路上保護個人信息。我們將介紹在電子世界中保持安全的技巧，例如添加高強度密碼、處理垃圾訊息、識別網路詐騙以及何時可以（或不可以）在線上分享您的個人資訊。

English Translation for Class in Mandarin:

• Protecting Your Personal Information Online: Wednesday, July 20, noon-1 p.m. This presentation will cover the ins and outs of how to protect your personal information online. We’ll cover tips for staying safe in cyberspace, like creating strong passwords, managing spam, how to recognize email and text scams, and when it is OK — or not — to share your personal information online.

For more information about Senior Planet Montgomery and to view its virtual program offerings, visit. 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: 22-396
Media Contact: Neil H. Greenberger 240-205-1915
Categories: Senior