Learning During Coronavirus: Free Online Classes For MoCo Seniors

GERMANTOWN, MD — Montgomery County seniors can take free online classes to learn how to better navigate life at home during the coronavirus pandemic.

Senior Planet Montgomery, the county's technology training program for residents 60 and older, typically offers lectures, hands-on workshops, and multi-week courses at libraries and senior centers. But during this public health crisis, Senior Planet Montgomery is moving all its programming online.

Many of the online sessions will focus on online user-friendly tools and resources for seniors.

"More Montgomery County seniors are online than ever before," said Montgomery County Chief Information Officer Gail M. Roper. "The Senior Planet Montgomery programs provide a means for them to get more out of their internet availability, and we hope, more out of life overall. We have programs that are geared specifically to support the way seniors learn best — which makes so many things easier to understand."

Classes change on a weekly basis. From April 20 to 24, classes will center around Zoom, the popular video conferencing platform, the Internet of Things, exercise, and a creative hour for those who want to share local resources and tips with other Montgomery County residents.

Courses are also offered in Spanish.

Take a look:

All Things Zoom

• When: Monday, April 20, 1-2 p.m., and Thursday, April 23, 1-2 p.m.
• Description: Learn how to use Zoom video conferencing to chat with friends and family —and how to take virtual classes with Senior Planet.

How to Initiate a Zoom Meeting

• When: Tuesday, April 21. 1-2 p.m.
• Description: Program will go over the features of having and using a Zoom account: how to create an account, create a meeting, share meeting details and invite participants and adjust meeting settings.

Good Morning Montgomery County

• When: Wednesday, April 22. 10:30-11:30 a.m.
• Description: Join other County residents for a morning hour spent over a second cup of coffee to share locally relevant tips and resources.

Internet of Things

• When: Wednesday, April 22. 2-3 p.m.
• Description: Lecture provides an overview of the vast world of the Internet of Things and discusses best practices for keeping devices secure.

Creative Hour

• When: Thursday, April 23. 3-4 p.m.
• Description: Share your creativity and take a break from the news to connect with fellow Senior Planet members.

Las clases a ofrecerse durante Abril 20-24 son las siguientes:

¡Reunión en linea! (All Things Zoom)

• Cuando: Martes, 21 de abril. 11 a.m.-noon. Y jueves, 23 de abril. 11 a.m.-noon.
• Descripción: Únase a este programa en línea y reúnase con otros participantes de Senior Planet para aprender el arte de "conectarse" utilizando la tecnología. Utilizaremos un software de videoconferencia conocido como "Zoom". ¡Zoom se puede usar para chatear con amigos y familiares, y tomar clases virtuales con Senior Planet!

Internet de las Cosas (Internet of Things)

• Cuando: Viernes 24 de abril. 11 a.m.-noon.
• Descripción: Esta presentación le dará un resumen del mundo grande del "internet de cosas." También, le presenta las mejores prácticas para mantener la seguridad de sus dispositivos. Aprenda cómo los dispositivos para consumidores comunican entre ellos a través de este ecosistema y cuáles de sus propios dispositivos conforman partes del "internet de cosas." También, aprenderá sobre la tecnología detrás de casas inteligentes y ciudades inteligentes.

Click here to learn more about Senior Planet Montgomery and its virtual program offerings. You can also call and email the group at 240-753-0676 and mocoinfo@seniorplanet.org.