January

Computer Fundamentals using Windows 10 gives the beginner or person with limited experience the basic concepts, skills and tools such as terminology, using the mouse proficiently, and mastery of the keyboard. You also receive a general grounding in word processing, file organization, and an introduction to the Internet, web browsing and e-mail.  Our PCs use Windows 10, but the skills taught in this class apply to earlier versions of Windows as well. Class fee $25.

Introduction to Facebook – Facebook is used and enjoyed by people of all ages. Facebook provides easy ways to exchange communications with friends and family. You will learn how to view and post your own photos, video, and messages. You will learn about posting on friends "Time-line“, "Commenting" on friends’ pictures, and real-time Chat. Personal security recommendations are also covered. If you do not have a current account, please tell the desk and plan to arrive 15 minutes early for the class. Class fee $15.

February

Introduction to Android Smartphones & Tablets - This 6-session class will show you how to use your Android Smartphone or Tablet. Except for phone calls, these devices work the same way. We'll show you how to use the Home screen and Settings. Phone users will learn to make and answer calls and manage your contacts. Then we'll explore texting and email. We'll search the web, play with YouTube, set up calendars, tasks & alarms. We'll use the camera for photos and videos. And, we'll show you how to find free & fee apps - including games - to personalize your Phone or Tablet. Class fee $25.

Windows 10 - This 3-hour class is for students familiar with Windows 7 or 8.1. Windows 10 has be out for over 3 years, so students want to know if they should stay on Windows 7 or 8, move to Windows 10, or do something else. We will be using our classroom desktop PCs, and handouts with practice exercises are provided.  Class fee $15.  

We will cover:

• What if I stay on Windows 7 or 8 for now - what are the issues?

• Should I stay on a PC - or go mobile and switch to a smartphone or tablet and keep all my files in the cloud?

• Personalizing the Windows 10 desktop and using the new Start screen

• Using Windows 10 Settings for Updates, Security and Privacy

• Comparing Microsoft's cloud storage (OneDrive) vs. Google's cloud storage (Drive)

• Managing your PC data files using File Explorer, Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive

• Exploring the new Windows features including Windows Store, Edge and Cortana

Click here to access the handout for this class.

Free Clinic for iPhone & iPad Users  - Use this clinic session to get your specific questions answered - this is not a class with an agenda. So, do you need help with certain iPhone or iPad settings, accounts, email, calendar, the app store? Need a hand synching Apple devices using the iCloud? Have some other burning question? Sign up for the iPhone/iPad clinic. Bring your iPhone or iPad with you (charged up), and ask your questions. Stay for the full 2 hours, or leave when you are satisfied. Free Clinic - Please enroll to save your seat.

Free Clinic for Android Smartphone & Tablet Users  - Use this clinic session to get your specific questions answered - this is not a class with an agenda. Android smartphones & tablets are made by companies like Samsung, LG, Motorola, HTC, etc.. So, do you need help with certain Android smartphone or tablet settings like WiFi and Bluetooth; accounts; the app store; or apps like email, texting or calendars? Maybe you have just a single burning question? Sign up for the Android Phone & Tablet clinic. Bring your phone or tablet with you (charged up), and ask your questions. Stay for the full 2 hours, or leave when you are satisfied. Click here for the link to the Qs & As covered in recent clinics. Free Clinic - Please enroll to save your seat.

Introduction to the iPad and iPhone – These devices are amazing all-in-one tools for email, text, photos, music & videos. They are also a camera, e-book reader, Internet browser, and gaming device.  You will learn about setting up email, about Siri, iTunes, and the App Store. You can even totally replace other general-use computers with the iPad. You can add a real keyboard; in fact, your iPad/iPhone will work with nearly any Bluetooth keyboard. Please bring your iPad or iPhone to class.  Class fee $15.

File Management – This class will help you become more self-sufficient in managing the information you choose to save on your Personal Computer - whether you are using Windows Vista, 7, 8 or Windows 10. It guides you through practice exercises that use features of the operating system designed to create and organize “folders” that hold the information you produce or obtain from other sources. This will help you get started reorganizing your personal files and folders so that they are easier to locate and access. The student will also receive an introductory discussion of keeping some of your files in the cloud, for access from your phone or tablet. Class fee $15.

Open Computer Lab – One of our instructors or coaches will help you learn more about personal technology.  This is not a class with an agenda. Bring your questions and your hardware – or just use one of our PCs. Make sure you have your passwords for any apps you want help with - like Skype or Facebook. And, of course, bring power cords and anything else that could be useful. Free Seminar - Please enroll to save your seat.

Computer Security & Backup: Protect Yourself - We spend much of our day on the Internet. In this free seminar you will learn many of the basic ways to protect yourself in this fast-paced online world. Of course, in spite of our best efforts, things can go wrong. You need to have good computer security software and a backup method in place for your computer files, email and settings. We will discuss how to install & use Microsoft Security Essentials or Windows Defender and give you some easy-to-do computer backup alternatives. Free Seminar - Please enroll to save your seat.

Introduction to the iPad and iPhone – These devices are amazing all-in-one tools for email, text, photos, music & videos. They are also a camera, e-book reader, Internet browser, and gaming device.  You will learn about setting up email, about Siri, iTunes, and the App Store. You can even totally replace other general-use computers with the iPad. You can add a real keyboard; in fact, your iPad/iPhone will work with nearly any Bluetooth keyboard. Please bring your iPad or iPhone to class.  Class fee $15.

Everything Google - Google offers us lots of free, web-based apps along with the free space for storing the files we create or upload.  In this class, we will examine several of Google's free programs, including Search, Maps, Drive (Documents, Spreadsheets, Presentations), Calendar, YouTube and Groups. You will learn how these programs are used to collaborate on projects and to share your creativity with family and friends. Click these links to access latest versions of these Google Docs & Slides: The 11-Page Handout; the 20-Page DETAILS document; and the Everything Google Slides.  Class fee $15.

Photo Editing with the iPhone and iPad  - Using the iPhone or iPad, learn how to remove "Red-eyes," Crop, Straighten, create Panoramas, correct lighting, and create Collages using the new Photoshop Express app. On day two we will work on photos you've taken and we will edit photos on your device. Bring your iPhone or iPad to class. Class fee $15.

April

Photo Editing with Windows 10-  Using your Windows 10 PC, learn how to remove "Red-eyes," Crop, Straighten, create Panoramas, correct lighting, and create Collages using the Apps available on Windows 10. On day two we will work on photos you've taken and we will edit photos on your laptop or bring them on a USB (flash) Drive. If you have laptop, you can bring it to class or use the Class room PC. Class fee $15.

Open Computer Lab – One of our instructors or coaches will help you learn more about personal technology. This is not a class with an agenda. Bring your questions and your hardware – or just use one of our PCs. Make sure you have your passwords for any apps you want help with - like Skype or Facebook. And, of course, bring power cords and anything else that could be useful. Free Seminar - Please enroll to save your seat.

Introduction to Ancestry.Com - We will cover the fundamentals of beginning to create your family genealogy using Ancestry.Com. We will go through some actual examples, such as using the US Census, birth, marriage, and death records to tie them to your own family history. Class fee $15.

Introduction to Your Mac & OS X – This 3-session class is for current Mac owners who would like to learn more about using their Mac, and prospective Mac owners who want to know more before buying their first Mac. We will introduce you to the variety of Macs available today and then look at many of the Mac’s basic features. We will examine the elements of the desktop, dock, and menu bar; the Finder and OS X folder structure; system preferences (settings for, hardware, internet, printer); setting up user accounts; setting up and syncing iCloud; and give you an overview of the key software on your Mac. Please note: Our classroom is set up only with PCs. Our instructor will be demonstrating using a Mac laptop and classroom projector. Bring your own Mac laptop and follow along or simply watch the demonstrations.  Class fee $15.

Pinterest.Com - Pinterest is a pinboard-style photo sharing website that allows users to create and manage theme-based image collections such as events, interests, hobbies, and more. Users can browse other pinboards for inspiration, "re-pin" images to their own pin boards, or "like" photos. Pinterest is a tool for collecting and organizing things you love. Class fee $15.

Google Photos - Use Google Photos app to backup all your photos and videos to the cloud from a PC, Mac, smartphone or tablet (Android or iPhone/iPad). We'll also explore the free Backup and Sync app. Google cloud storage is free and and there is no limit on the number of items stored if you use Google's recommended settings. This means you can store and easily find photos or videos you took years ago! Using Google Photos, we can edit our photos and videos, create albums, and share them with friends & family. And you can also download items to your computer or mobile device again when needed. You will also learn to send photos to online print services directly from Google Photos. PC and Mac users will practice backing up photos and videos to the cloud from our classroom PCs. All students should bring your smartphone or tablet. Class fee $15.