Senior Planet Montgomery Free Online Classes for Seniors Aug. 15-19 will include ‘Smartphone Photography’ and ‘Going from a Green Home to a Smart Home’

For Immediate Release: Friday, August 12, 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. 15-19 will include “Smartphone Photography” and “Going from a Green Home to a Smart Home.”

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. 15-19 will include:

• Smartphone Photography: Thursday, Aug. 18, 4-5 p.m. This lecture explores smartphone cameras and features like recording video, adding filters to pictures, and using a timer. This presentation will cover Android and iPhone.
• Going From a Green Home to a Smart Home: Friday, Aug. 19, noon-1 p.m. During this presentation learn about what makes a home “green” and how smart technology can help make a home more energy efficient.

Class in Mandarin:

• 遠距醫療 8/17, 12 - 1 p.m. 您會想與您的醫生在線上看診嗎？或者想知道目前有哪些類型的遠距醫療嗎？這個講座簡介遠距醫療的選項， 然後專注探索如何即時與您的醫生會診。我們會說明線上看病的例子， 以及線上看診時該注意的事項。這次的講座也會建議線上看診之前的準備，從問醫生哪些問題到網路連線的穩定度， 以及線上看診的隱私和使用上的安全考量等等。

English Translation for Class in Mandarin:

• Telemedicine: Wednesday, Aug. 17, noon-1 p.m. Interested in having a virtual visit with your doctor? Or learning about types of telemedicine out there? This lecture provides an overview of telemedicine options and focuses on exploring virtual medical appointments with your doctor in real-time. You will see a virtual-visit walk-through and learn what to expect from an appointment. This lecture offers advice about how best to prepare for a virtual visit, from questions to ask your doctor to your concerns regarding connectivity, privacy, and insurance.

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: 22-429
Media Contact: Neil H. Greenberger 240-205-1915
Categories: Senior