September to December 2018 Schedule & Course Descriptions

September 2018

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 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. Bring your phone or tablet to class. Class fee $25.

Windows 10 Workshop - This 2-session class is for students familiar with Windows 7 or 8.1. We'll explore the many new features and benefits of Windows 10 - including free software and improved performance. We will be using our classroom desktop PCs, or you may bring your own laptop with Windows 10 installed. Practice exercises and handouts are provided.  Class fee $15.  

We will cover:

Click here for the handout used in this workshop.

iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch for the Vision Impaired - The iPad, iPod Touch, and iPhone, especially with iOS 8.1 or above, are equipped with robust speech output features for the blind, called VoiceOver and Speak Screen, as well as a speech-enabled personal digital assistant, called Siri. You can accomplish tasks with far less physical interaction than that required by computers and many high-tech adaptive products. When you combine all of the built-in apps with those that are being created by third party developers every day (most of which range from free to under $20.00), people with severe vision loss can now use their iPad, iPod Touch or iPhone to search the Internet, send email, take notes and access online services; to identify currency and products in packages; and to carry a single solution that functions as a clock, flashlight, GPS device, portable book reader, calculator, calendar, reminder, radio, and more. After this first session, students will meet one-on-one with an instructor for 4 more sessions. Bring your phone or tablet to class. Class fee $25.

Android Smartphone & Tablet Free Clinic  - 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.

Open Computer Lab – One of our instructors or coaches will be present to help you learn more about personal technology. 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 some 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. 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. Click Here for link to slides used in this class:  Computer Security & Backup - Protect Yourself    Internet of Me (shortened version)

iPhone & iPad Free Clinic  - 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.

October 2018

Photo Gallery for Windows - This 2-session class will teach you how to edit, organize, combine, and share your photos. Photo Gallery is compatible with Windows 7, 8.1, and 10. Although Photo Gallery is not currently available from Microsoft, we will have a copy to install on your PC if needed. ​ Class fee $15.

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.

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.

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.

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 learn backing up photos and videos from our classroom PCs. All students should bring your smartphone or tablet. Click here for the link to the handout used in this class -  as well as a handy list of Qs & As.  Class fee $15.

November 2018

Introduction to Skype - Stay in touch with loved ones! Make free voice or video calls over the Internet using your computer, smartphone or tablet. Do texting, file transfer, and videoconferencing. If you bring your device to class, please have Skype installed with a Skype account name and password. In class, you are welcome to use your own Skype account - or one of ours - with one of our class PCs. Class fee $15.

Open Computer Lab – One of our instructors or coaches will be present to help you learn more about personal technology. 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.

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, Groups & Calendar. You will learn how these programs are used to collaborate on projects and to share your creativity with family and friends. 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 pinboards, or "like" photos. Pinterest is a tool for collecting and organizing things you love. 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 skills practiced in this class are applicable to every task you perform on your computer. Class fee $15.

Photo Editing for 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.

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.

December 2018

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.