FREE In-Person Technology Classes!
Location:
Dick Eardley Boise Senior Center
690 Robbins Rd, Boise, ID 83702
(208) 608-7580
Scroll down for Spring 2023 schedule
Space is limited, so CALL NOW to register!
Spring 2023 Technology Ed Sponsors:
Curriculum from:
LEARN is partnering with Senior Planet from AARP to help older adults use technology to learn new skills, save money, and make new friends. Classes are hosted at the Dick Eardley Senior Center in Boise and are intended for adults 60 and over. Join us for FREE in-person lectures, hands-on workshops and courses on popular topics, and learn how you can stay connected!
Multi-week Courses:
INTRO TO DIGITAL CULTURE 5-Week Course
Tuesdays from 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM
April 11 – May 9
From communicating with others to staying healthy, digital tools and technologies affect much of our lives. By the end of this 5-week course, you’ll use the internet to contact your lawmakers, learn about health-related topics, connect with others offline and online, and explore your interests and passions. You’ll also learn best practices for staying safe online and using social media. This course is a great opportunity to meaningfully practice skills that you learned in a Basics or Essentials course.
COMPUTER ESSENTIALS 4-Week Course
Mondays from 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM
May 15 – June 12
This 4-week course covers the essentials of how to use the basic functions of a personal computer, how to navigate the internet, and how to send and receive email. By the end of the course, you’ll have a foundation for using a computer and the internet to enrich your life.
Lectures:
MYCHART
Monday, April 10
10:30AM – 11:45AM
Has your doctor or healthcare provider ever mentioned MyChart? Come learn about this electronic health-record portal that works both in a web browser and app. We’ll go over how MyChart can help you keep all your health information in one place, communicate with your providers, and have a virtual visit. You’ll also learn about the portal’s privacy and security features.
GOOGLE MAPS
Monday, April 17
10:30AM – 11:45AM
Visit sites around the world from the comfort of your home, get a bird’s-eye-view of your childhood neighborhood, or simply get directions to your friend’s house! Google Maps is a mapping application that offers satellite imagery, street maps, and street-view perspectives. It also has a route planner for your preferred transportation method, be it foot, car, bicycle or public transportation. During this lecture, you’ll get an introduction to the platform and a demonstration of how to use it.
PROTECTING YOUR PERSONAL INFO ONLINE
Monday, April 24
10:30AM – 11:45AM
This presentation will cover the ins and outs of how to protect your personal information online. We’ll cover tips for staying safe in cyberspace, like creating strong passwords, managing spam, how to recognize email and text scams, and when it’s OK — or not — to share your personal information online.
EBAY & PAYPAL
Monday, May 1
10:30AM – 11:45AM
This lecture provides an overview of the popular auction website eBay and the pioneer online payment service PayPal. You’ll learn the basics of buying and selling on eBay, as well as some important concepts, like seller feedback scores. This lecture will also present a basic overview of some of PayPal’s most popular features.
YOUTUBE
Monday, May 8
10:30AM – 11:45AM
You may associate YouTube with silly videos of cats, but it’s much more than that. Every day, people around the world watch more than 1 billion hours of video, including classic movies, how-to videos, news clips, and more. This presentation will give an overview of the free content available on YouTube and show you how to navigate the site with ease. You’ll also get tips for viewing and sharing others’ videos and learn about uploading your own.
Hands-On Workshops:
CONNECTING TO THE INTERNET
Tuesday, May 16
10:30AM – 11:45AM
Not always sure if your internet-enabled devices are connected to the internet? In this hands-on workshop, we’ll go over how to check the WiFI connection on your PC, iPhone, or Android smartphone. We’ll also cover how to use the hotspot from your smartphone and best practices for password protection and connecting to public WiFi.
GMAIL TIPS & TRICKS
Tuesday, May 23
10:30AM – 11:45AM
Go beyond sending and receiving with this hands-on workshop about Gmail features! This workshop will cover important features like spellcheck, formatting emails, searching your inbox, adding a signature, and attaching files. The session will combine demonstration and hands-on practice, so that you’ll have plenty of opportunities to ask questions and try out these features. Please note that this session will not go over how to sign up for a Gmail address.
AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM
Tuesday, May 30
10:30AM – 11:45AM
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll verify your eligibility for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and apply for the program using the online application! ACP is a permanent, government program that helps qualifying low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices. In some cases, depending on your internet plan, the ACP discount may help you get home internet for free! This program replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program and expands the eligibility requirements so more people are eligible to participate. Once your application is accepted, contact an Internet Service Provider about getting home internet.
FINDING INFORMATION ONLINE
Tuesday, June 6
10:30AM – 11:45AM
The internet is an incredible resource, but finding what you’re looking for can sometimes be daunting or time consuming. That’s why finding what you’re looking for online is such an important skill. This hands-on workshop will review helpful tips for using effective search terms, evaluating your search results, and searching within a reliable site for accurate information.
STAYING SAFE ONLINE
Tuesday, June 13
10:30AM – 11:45AM
This hands-on workshop reviews important tips for keeping your personal information safe while enjoying the benefits of the internet. Learn how to recognize suspicious emails and what to do when confronted with online scams.
Our Technology Education Program would not be possible without the generous support of The HP Foundation and the Greater Boise Rotary Foundation which funded the creation of the LEARN mobile computer lab. Thanks also to Dick Eardley Boise Senior Center for providing the space and connecting us with our beautiful students, helping us build a strong community of tech learners!
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance Community forms the strong, growing core of digital inclusion work in the United States. We are seasoned experts, yet extremely welcoming – diverse and inclusive. We are digital inclusion practitioners, advocates, and supporters working with our communities to advance digital equity.
