Senior Planet Montgomery Free Online Classes for Seniors Aug. 1-5 will include ‘Money Matters’ and ‘Tech and Energy’

For Immediate Release: Friday, July 29, 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 Aug. 1-5 will include “Money Matters” and “Tech and Energy.”

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 Aug. 1-5 will include:

• Money Matters: Thursday, Aug. 4, 4-5 p.m. This lecture introduces online banking and goes over how to keep financial information safe.
• Tech and Energy: Friday, Aug. 5, noon-1 p.m. In this lecture, learn about the top energy users in the home and what to do to spend less money on energy.

Class in Mandarin:

• Google 地圖8/3, 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, Aug. 3, 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. 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: 22-411
Media Contact: Neil H. Greenberger 240-205-1915
Categories: Senior