Friends Village has partnered with Senior Planet from AARP to help older adults use technology to learn new skills, save money, get in shape, and make new friends. Classes are intended for adults age 60 and over. Register below to join the Friends Village community in person and learn how you can stay connected!
Friends Village Styer Campus | 331 Lower Dolington Road, Newtown, PA 18940 |. (215)968-3346
Though not required, participants are encouraged to sign up for all classes to receive a well rounded review of some of today’s most commonly used technology
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Contact the Senior Planet Hotline at 888-713-3495
Introduction to Digital Wallets Monday, August 10th
Curious about paying with your smartphone or storing tickets and cards digitally? This beginner-friendly course introduces the basics of digital wallets and how they can make everyday tasks easier and more convenient. Participants will learn what digital wallets are, explore popular options such as Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Venmo, and discover how to securely store payment cards, boarding passes, event tickets, loyalty cards, and more. The course also covers common uses, key security features, benefits, and potential drawbacks, helping learners build the confidence to decide if a digital wallet is right for them. No prior experience is required.
Understanding Fraud & Scams Wednesday, August 12th
Scammers are constantly finding new ways to target people online, by phone, and through text messages. This informative course helps participants recognize common signs of fraud, identify suspicious emails, calls, texts, and websites, and learn practical strategies to protect their personal and financial information. Participants will explore best practices for staying safe online, including using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and avoiding common scam tactics. The course also covers the important steps to take if you believe you've been the victim of a scam, helping learners feel more prepared and confident in today's digital world.
Free Streaming with Tubi Monday, August 17th
Discover how to enjoy thousands of movies and TV shows for free with Tubi, a popular streaming service available on computers, smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs. In this beginner-friendly workshop, participants will learn how to create a free Tubi account, browse content by genre, search for movies and shows, use playback features like captions and full-screen mode, and save favorites to "My List" for future viewing. By the end of the session, learners will feel confident navigating Tubi and making the most of its free entertainment options.
AI All Around-Using Gen(erative) AI Wednesday, August 19th
Artificial intelligence is becoming part of many of the digital tools we use every day. This introductory lecture explores the basics of AI, including the differences between predictive AI and generative AI, and how these technologies are changing the way we search for information, create content, and complete everyday tasks. Participants will learn about common AI-powered features in popular apps, discover practical ways AI can assist with writing, summarizing information, and answering questions, and discuss important privacy considerations and best practices for using AI safely and responsibly. No prior experience with AI is required.
AI and Disinformation Monday, August 24th
As artificial intelligence becomes more powerful, it is increasingly important to know how to recognize AI-generated content and evaluate information critically. In this informative workshop, participants will explore both the benefits and risks of AI, including how it can be used to create convincing deepfakes, clone voices, and spread disinformation. Learners will discover practical strategies for identifying misleading content, verifying information using trusted sources, and recognizing common warning signs of manipulated media. The workshop also introduces helpful fact-checking and AI detection resources, empowering older adults to navigate today's digital world with greater confidence and awareness.
Intro to Chatting with AI (Two-Part Series) Wednesday, August 26th & Monday August 31st
Curious about talking with artificial intelligence? This beginner-friendly workshop introduces participants to AI chatbots and how they can be used to make everyday tasks easier. Learn how popular tools like ChatGPT, Google, Microsoft Copilot, and Meta AI can help you draft emails, brainstorm ideas, answer questions, and provide personalized recommendations. Participants will also explore best practices for writing effective prompts, understand the limitations of AI, and learn important privacy and safety tips for using these tools confidently and responsibly. No previous experience with AI is necessary.
Google Workspace Wednesday, September 2nd
Discover how Google Workspace can help you stay organized, productive, and connected from anywhere. This introductory lecture explores Google's free suite of cloud-based tools, including Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Photos. Participants will learn how to store and access files securely, create and edit documents, organize photos, and collaborate with friends, family, or colleagues in real time. Whether you're new to Google Workspace or looking to get more out of these powerful tools, this session will provide a practical overview to help you work more efficiently across your devices.
Practicing with Google Docs (Two-Part Series) Wednesday, September 9th & Monday, September 14th
Whatever your word processing needs, Google Docs can help! This 2-session series will give you plenty of hands-on practice using Google Docs, a free alternative to Microsoft Word. You’ll learn to use grammar and spellcheck, download your documents in Word and PDF format, use Docs to collaborate with others, and more!
Prerequisites: You must have a Gmail address to take this series. For help signing up for Gmail, call the Senior Planet Tech Hotline: 888-713-3495. This series is best suited for participants who are comfortable performing internet searches and filling out forms online
Gmail Tips and Tricks Wednesday, September 16th
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.
Prerequisites: You must have a Gmail address and should be comfortable sending and receiving emails. Bring your Gmail username and password and be ready to sign in during the workshop.
Intro to Photo Editing Tools (and apps) Monday, September 21st
Learn how to enhance and transform your photos using today's easy-to-use photo editing apps. In this introductory lecture, participants will explore popular free editing tools available for smartphones and computers, including features that can remove unwanted objects, improve image quality, retouch portraits, replace backgrounds, and even use AI-powered editing tools. The session also introduces built-in editing features available on many Apple and Android devices, along with tips for getting started and navigating common photo editing apps. Whether you're preserving family memories or creating images to share, this class will help you edit photos with confidence.
Getting Started with Canva Wednesday, September 23rd
Unleash your creativity with Canva, a free and easy-to-use online design tool that helps you create professional-looking graphics with no design experience required. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to set up a Canva account, navigate the platform, choose and customize templates, add text and images, upload personal photos, and share or download finished projects. Whether you're designing greeting cards, flyers, invitations, social media posts, or photo collages, this class will introduce the essential tools and features to help you create beautiful, personalized designs with confidence.
Exploring and Downloading Apps Monday, September 28th
During this hands-on workshop, you'll learn how to search for and download apps to your smartphone. Whether you have an iPhone or an Android phone, we'll explore both app stores and cover some helpful considerations for choosing apps. You'll also learn how to uninstall apps and how to adjust some important app settings.
Pre-requisites: Participants should bring their smartphone to class. Please note that this workshop focuses on downloading apps on your smartphone and will not cover every smartphone question.
Registration is required. Class size is limited.