Introduction to Computers

This 4-day course is being taught starting Monday, May 15th (see the Schedule for all dates and times).

Are you a senior or know someone who is struggling with technology in general and computers in particular? Absolutely no prior computer experience is necessary for this course but it goes into the concepts deeply enough that even with some experience you are going to learn a lot. We start with basic computer skills (day 1), learn how to work with Windows (day 2), move on to Windows skills, including file organization (day 3), and wrap up with exploring the Internet, including Internet safety (day 3). This course is based on Windows 7, but even if you have Windows 10, you will still find this class to be very worthwhile and the student workbook covers both Windows 7 and Windows 10.

Introduction to Computers

This 4-day course is being taught starting Monday, March 6th (see the Schedule for all dates and times).

Are you a senior or know someone who is struggling with technology in general and computers in particular? Absolutely no prior computer experience is necessary for this course but it goes into the concepts deeply enough that even with some experience you are going to learn a lot. We start with basic computer skills (day 1), learn how to work with Windows (day 2), move on to Windows skills, including file organization (day 3), and wrap up with exploring the Internet, including Internet safety (day 3). This course is based on Windows 7. There is a separate Windows 10 update course (keep reading).

But where is E-mail? This is a separate 3-day follow-up course starting March 15th. In this course you will learn the basics, and then some, of email using a free online version of Microsoft Outlook named Outlook.com. Everyone will receive an Outlook.com email address unless you already have one or a Hotmail or MSN email address, all of which now are accessed via Outlook.com.

But wait, you say you have a Windows 10 PC, you don’t understand the tiles and really need help in using it. The Windows 10 update to the Intro to Computers (Windows 7) course is scheduled for starting March 27th. This 5-session course is a BYOD (bring your own device) class – your own laptop or Windows tablet PC running Windows 10. If your computer is not a laptop or tablet or you are getting a new computer (we always recommend a laptop – ask why), you can come anyway and sit beside someone who has a Windows 10 PC.

This class will also be repeated starting May 15th.

Spring 2017 Schedule Now Available

Please see the schedule page for the list of courses and dates for the Spring 2017 term.

This term we are introducing or reintroducing some courses. The top section of the schedule page contains the details.

Have some friends that could benefit from some of these classes? Encourage them to sign up for some classes. It’s always more fun to take a class with someone you know so drag that Luddite friend of yours out of the house to join you. And remember — we do not teach one-on-one classes so the best way to ensure that a class you signed up for will not be cancelled is to encourage a friend to sign up and take the class with you.

Our opening lineup, Intro to Computers with Windows 7 (taught twice this term), Email using Gmail and Windows 10, are a great way for some seniors new to computers to get started and are an excellent primer. Word Online and Excel Online give you FREE online versions of the popular, but expensive, Microsoft Office programs. Learn how these work and integrate with the cloud. Also, what you learn is directly transferable to MS Office.

We are bringing back Facebook this term. We have slimmed this class down from 6 days to 5.

If you’ve recently got a new laptop with Windows 10 or you’ve upgraded an older computer to Windows 10, check out the Windows 10 class.

Digital Photography is back and will be taught by Mike Weis. This class will be taught on the library computers but using your camera, tablets and phones to export pictures to the computers.

Again this term is the ever-popular iPad class, but now with iPhone as well. Received a new or hand-me-down iPad/iPhone? Want to get more out of your iPad/iPhone than you’re using it for now? Join this class to learn more. This is also a great refresher class. This class will be on iOS 10 so you can benefit even if you’re taken the class before. We have slimmed this class down from 10 days to 9.

Remember than any class marked BYOD mean Bring Your Own Device, be it a laptop or iPad. BYOD classes are typically taught in the large room downstairs – park in the lower lot. All other classes use the Castle Shannon Library computers and are taught upstairs – park alongside the library.

Also remember, at the bottom of every page is a place for you to enter your email address to “Follow” this blog. That means that when I update a page or add a new post (typically for an upcoming class) you will be notified via email.

Introduction to Computers

This 4-day course is being taught starting Wednesday, Sept 7th (see the Schedule for all dates and times).

Are you a senior or know someone who is struggling with technology in general and computers in particular? Absolutely no prior computer experience is necessary for this course but it goes into the concepts deeply enough that even with some experience you are going to learn a lot. We start with basic computer skills (day 1), learn how to work with Windows (day 2), move on to Windows skills, including file organization (day 3), and wrap up with exploring the Internet, including Internet safety (day 3). This course is based on Windows 7. There is a separate Windows 10 update course (keep reading).

But where is E-mail? This is a separate 3-day (4 sessions with #4 optional) follow-up course starting Sept 26th. In this course you will learn the basics, and then some, of email using the free online version of Google’s Gmail.Everyone will receive an Gmail email address unless you already have one. Session 4 is a BYOD session that teaches you how to set up and access Gmail on your mobile device (phone, tablet).

But wait, you say you have a Windows 10, you don’t understand the tiles and really need help in using it. The Windows 10 update to the Intro to Computers (Windows 7) course is scheduled for starting Sept 19th. This 5-session course is a BYOD (bring your own device) class – your own laptop or Windows tablet PC running Windows 10. If your computer is not a laptop or tablet or you are getting a new computer (we always recommend a laptop – ask why), you can come anyway and sit beside someone who has a Windows 10 PC.

Fall 2016 Schedule Now Available

Please see the schedule page for the list of courses and dates for the Fall 2016 term.

This term we are introducing or reintroducing some courses. The top section of the schedule page contains the details.

Have some friends that could benefit from some of these classes? Encourage them to sign up for some classes. It’s always more fun to take a class with someone you know so drag that Luddite friend of yours out of the house to join you.

Our opening lineup, Intro to Computers with Windows 7, Windows 10, Email using Gmail, Word Online and Excel Online are an excellent primer and a great way for some seniors new to computers to get started. Word Online and Excel Online give you FREE online versions of the popular, but expensive, Microsoft Office programs. Learn how these work and integrate with the cloud. Also, what you learn is directly transferable to MS Office.

We are giving Facebook, Intro to the Internet and Beginners Guide to the Cloud a break this term but can add any of them at the end if the demand is there.

If you’ve recently got a new laptop with Windows 10 or you’ve upgraded an older computer to Windows 10, check out the Windows 10 class.

Digital Photography is back and will be taught by Mike Weis. This class will be taught on the library computers but using your camera, tablets and phones to export pictures to the computers.

Wrapping up this term is the ever-popular iPad class, but now with iPhone as well. Received a new or hand-me-down iPad/iPhone? Want to get more out of your iPad/iPhone than you’re using it for now? Join this class to learn more. This is also a great refresher class. This class will be on iOS 10 (the next version as I write this) so you can benefit even if you’re taken the class before.

Remember than any class marked BYOD mean Bring Your Own Device, be it a laptop or iPad. BYOD classes are typically taught in the large room downstairs – park in the lower lot. All other classes use the Castle Shannon Library computers and are taught upstairs – park alongside the library.

Introduction to Computers (Redux)

This is the first 3 days of a normally 4-day course. Starts Monday, May 9th (see the Schedule for all dates and times).

Are you a senior or know someone who is struggling with technology in general and computers in particular? Absolutely no prior computer experience is necessary for this course but it goes into the concepts deeply enough that even with some experience you are going to learn a lot. We start with basic computer skills (day 1), learn how to work with Windows (day 2), and wrap up with Windows skills, including file organization (day 3). Due to time constraints, we will not be teaching exploring the Internet, including Internet safety (day 4). This course is based on Windows 7. There is a separate Windows 10 update course (keep reading).

But where is E-mail? This is a separate 2-day follow-up course starting September 14th. In this course you will learn the basics, and then some, of email using a free online version of Microsoft Outlook named Outlook.com. Everyone will receive an Outlook.com email address unless you already have one or a Hotmail or MSN email address, all of which now are accessed via Outlook.com.

But wait, you say you have a Windows 8 (or 8.1) computer, you don’t understand the tiles and really need help in using it. Windows 10 is a free upgrade (until July 29, 2016) from Windows 7, 8 and 8.1. Windows 10 is what Windows 8 should have been and is well worth the time to upgrade to it. The Windows 10 update to the Intro to Computers (Windows 7) course is scheduled for starting November 4th. It is a flex class in that it is scheduled for 2 days with a 3rd day as needed. This is a BYOD (bring your own device) class – your own laptop or Windows tablet PC running Windows 10. If your computer is not a laptop or tablet or you still have Windows 7  or 8/8.1 but are getting a new computer, you can come anyway and sit beside someone who has a Windows 10 PC.

Introduction to Computers (Redux)

This 3-day course is being taught starting Monday May 9th (see the Schedule for all dates and times). We had more demand than available computers for the March class so have removed Excel Online and replaced it with this course. This class will be just 3 days and will not include exploring the Internet which was the 4th day.

Are you a senior or know someone who is struggling with technology in general and computers in particular? Absolutely no prior computer experience is necessary for this course but it goes into the concepts deeply enough that even with some experience you are going to learn a lot. We start with basic computer skills (day 1), learn how to work with Windows (day 2) and move on to Windows skills, including file organization (day 3). This course is based on Windows 7. There is a separate Windows 10 update course (keep reading).

But wait, you say you have a Windows 8 (or 8.1) or Windows 10 computer, you don’t understand the tiles and really need help in using it. Windows 10 is a free upgrade (until July 29, 2016) from Windows 7, 8 and 8.1. Windows 10 is what Windows 8 should have been and is well worth the time to upgrade to it. The Windows 10 update to the Intro to Computers (Windows 7) course is scheduled for starting May 16th. It is a flex class in that it is scheduled for 5 days with the 5th day as needed. This is a BYOD (bring your own device) class – your own laptop or Windows tablet PC running Windows 10. If your computer is not a laptop or tablet or you still have Windows 7  or 8/8.1 but are getting a new computer, you can come anyway and sit beside someone who has a Windows 10 PC. The first day (May 16th) is devoted to upgrading Windows 7 and 8/8.1 computers to Windows 10. If your computer is already running Windows 10, do not sign up for this first day.

Introduction to the Internet

This 4-day course is being taught starting Monday, March 28th (see the Schedule for all dates and times).

This basic, but fast-paced, introduction to the Internet covers the basic skills you need to:

• Browse (surf) the Internet using Internet Explorer (IE)
• Use the Internet safely
• Bookmark and organize pages of interest
• Understand Internet addresses (URLs)
• Understand search engines and effective search queries
• Select and use “cloud” storage
• Use the Internet for shopping, entertainment and learning
• Learn about social media

We are just going to touch on the basics of these topics. Many require installing software and/or signing up for online accounts, which you may not want and which is time-consuming in class. Also, there are separate courses for many of these topics.

This course will concentrate purely on using a Windows PC but the workbook has many examples for mobile devices. Because there are a variety of mobile devices and some students do not have a mobile device, the course has been shortened from 6 sessions down to 4.

 

Introduction to Computers

This 4-day course is being taught starting Monday, March 16th (see the Schedule for all dates and times).

Are you a senior or know someone who is struggling with technology in general and computers in particular? Absolutely no prior computer experience is necessary for this course but it goes into the concepts deeply enough that even with some experience you are going to learn a lot. We start with basic computer skills (day 1), learn how to work with Windows (day 2), move on to Windows skills, including file organization (day 3), and wrap up with exploring the Internet, including Internet safety (day 3). This course is based on Windows 7. There is a separate Windows 10 update course (keep reading).

But where is E-mail? This is a separate 3-day follow-up course starting April 6th. In this course you will learn the basics, and then some, of email using a free online version of Microsoft Outlook named Outlook.com. Everyone will receive an Outlook.com email address unless you already have one or a Hotmail or MSN email address, all of which now are accessed via Outlook.com.

But wait, you say you have a Windows 10 or Windows 8 (or 8.1) computer, you don’t understand the tiles and really need help in using it. Windows 10 is a free upgrade (until July 29, 2016) from Windows 7, 8 and 8.1. Windows 10 is what Windows 8 should have been and is well worth the time to upgrade to it. The Windows 10 update to the Intro to Computers (Windows 7) course is scheduled for starting May 16th. The 16th is specifically for upgraders, with the 17th-20th being for those that are already running Windows 10. This is a BYOD (bring your own device) class – your own laptop or Windows tablet PC running Windows 10. If your computer is not a laptop or tablet or you are getting a new computer (we always recommend a laptop – ask why), you can come anyway and sit beside someone who has a Windows 10 PC.

Spring 2016 Schedule now available

Please see the schedule page for the list of courses and dates for the Fall 2015 quarter.

Let’s call this term “Back to Basics.” Returning are the basics we teach every term along some some other basic courses that we have not taught in a while. Even if you’ve already taken some of these courses but would like a refresh, sign up to take them again. The prices are more than reasonable so the cost of retaking a course will not put a dent in your wallet.

Have some friends that could benefit from some of these classes? Encourage them to sign up for some classes.

Our opening lineup, Intro to Computers with Windows 7, Intro to the Internet, Email using Outlook.com and Beginners Guide to the Cloud are an excellent primer and a great way for some seniors new to computers to get started. Word Online and Excel Online give you FREE online versions of the popular, but expensive, Microsoft Office programs. Learn how these work and integrate with the cloud. Also, what you learn is directly transferable to MS Office.

Not using Facebook? Heard bad things about it? Afraid to use it? Allay your fears and learn why the most popular social media program, Facebook, is such a popular program for everyone from teenagers to seniors. We’ll have you communicating with friends, posting pictures and recipes, private messaging and whiling away the hours watching those funny cat videos. Hey, we’re seniors and we’ve earned to right to unapologetically fritter away some time doing whatever we want.

If you’ve recently got a new laptop with Windows 10, you’ve upgraded an older computer to Windows 10 or you want to upgrade yous to Windows 10, check out the Windows 10 classes. New this term is a one-day upgrade class for those that haven’t upgraded yet (and time is running out for the free upgrade).

Wrapping up this term is the ever-popular iPad class. Received a new or hand-me-down iPad? Want to get more out of your iPad than you’re using it for now? Join this class to learn more. This is also a great refresher class.

Remember than any class marked BYOD mean Bring Your Own Device, be it a laptop or iPad. BYOD classes are usually taught in the large room downstairs – park in the lower lot. All other classes use the Castle Shannon Library computers and are taught upstairs – park alongside the library.

Stay safe, warm and dry this winter and I’ll see you in the spring.  🙂