Senior Planet Montgomery Free Online Classes for Seniors July 25-29 will include ‘Podcasts’ and’ Stop Losing Money on Your Utility Bill’

For Immediate Release: Friday, July 22, 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 25-29 will include “Podcasts” and “Stop Losing Money on Your Utility Bill.”

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 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’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 July 25-29 will include:

• Hello Montgomery: Thursday, July 28, noon-1 p.m. Join fellow Montgomery County residents for an hour of socializing.
• Podcasts: Thursday, July 28, 4-5 p.m. In this lecture learn more about these audio programs available on the internet: Why people listen to them and where to find them.
• Lighting and Smart Bulbs: Friday, July 29, noon-1 p.m. During this presentation discuss the two main ways to save money. Cover the difference between conservation and efficiency and the benefits of using less energy, plus some of the most efficient ways to do it.

Class in Mandarin:

• 智能手機攝影7/27, 12 - 1 p.m. 有興趣了解更多有關您的智慧型手機相機的信息嗎？參加本講座，探索您智慧型手機的相機以及一些功能，例如錄製影片、為圖片添加濾鏡以及使用相機的計時器！我們還將介一些基本的自拍技巧、選擇背景和使用最佳照明。本講座將涵蓋 Android (安卓手機) 和 iPhone(蘋果手機) 的資訊。

English Translation for Class in Mandarin:

• Smartphone Photography: Wednesday, July 27, noon-1 p.m. Interested in learning more about your smartphone camera? Come to this lecture to explore your smartphone's camera and some features like recording video, adding filters to pictures and using your camera's timer. It also will go over some basic tips for taking good selfies, selecting backgrounds, and using optimal lighting. Presentation will cover Android and iPhones.

For more information about Senior Planet Montgomery and to view its virtual program offerings, visit Montgomery County, Maryland - Senior Planet from AARP. 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: 22-402
Media Contact: Neil H. Greenberger 240-205-1915
Categories: Senior