CLASSES
WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
The classroom areas are shared by the VDO PC Group and the Mac Group and offer fast, reliable fiber optic Internet service.
Registration is held Monday mornings 10:00-11:30 am in the PC computer room. (Be sure to check the calendar for the exact schedule and possible registration closures.)
Listed are brief descriptions for each of the classes offered in the 2022-2023 season. Students should read the course description before enrolling to ensure you meet the prerequisites and bring any requested information or equipment to the class.
Classes are primarily taught by members of the VDO PC Group and the Mac Computer Group……..your neighbors. We are not able to cover all topics requested. A list of free self-study referrals are at the bottom of this webpage.
Register for classes:
- The PC Computer Club requires advance class registration for most classes
- Class limit is usually 10 students
- Handouts are printed in advance
- We will contact students if a class must be rescheduled or cancelled.
- Most classes have a $5 registration fee. The registration fee will be returned to you upon attendance at the class. You will lose your registration fee if you DO NOT attend the class.
- Register for classes Monday morning 10:00-11:30 am in the PC Computer Room (be sure to check the calendar for the exact schedule and for possible registration closures.)
Classes for 2022-2023
Note: Students should review the course description before enrolling to ensure you meet the prerequisites and bring any requested information or equipment to the class.
NOTE: Click on a class name in this list to be taken to the class description.
BASIC SMARTPHONE (NOT iPHONE) SETTINGS & TIPS
CREATE YOUR OWN PROFESSIONAL LOOKING VIDEOS
WINDOWS 11 PART 1 – INTRODUCTION
As a courtesy there are a number of FREE SELF-STUDY COURSES
BASIC SMARTPHONE (NOT iPHONE) SETTINGS & TIPS
Registration fee $5
For those with smartphones (not iPhones) that need to know how to change settings and learn tips for better phone usage.
CREATE YOUR OWN PROFESSIONAL LOOKING VIDEOS
Registration fee $5
Learn how you create professional looking videos and trailers that look like they came from Hollywood Studios. The only experience needed is how to use a keyboard & mouse. You will learn how to use the app and basic MacOS skills to copy and save a file. If you use Windows, or Chromium you probably have those skills.
Use that special adventure or holiday with the grandkids. Once the videos are created, you can load them on any social media (within their guidelines) or email/text them to family and friends. Perhaps you want to do a special project and show it off to your friends or organization. Even if you don’t share with others a video can unload all those pictures taking up storage space into something you may want to see every once in a while.
Apple has created a free app that you can use in the Internet Cafe, or on your iPhone, iPad or Mac. After you have finished you can easily transfer via thumb drive to any Windows, Android, Chromium, Linux or Mac computing device as professional a video as you can find from professional editing apps costing thousands of dollars. When finished you will have created a video in the same format as the streaming services like NETFLIX uses.
What you need to bring to class, 15-20 photographs or several short video clips and some music that depicts a story you want to tell. For example: Our Christmas, How I Spent my Summer Vacation, Our Alaskan Cruise, Grandkid Soccer Tourney, Ride ‘em Cowboy! What ever suits your fancy. Bring them to class on a Thumb drive/flash drive with a basic plot or story you want to tell.
NOTE: DO NOT BRING YOUR COMPUTER TO CLASS
(Part 1 of 2)
WINDOWS 11 PART 1 – INTRODUCTION
Registration fee $5
This class is the first of a two-part series and is taught using the classroom PC’s so that everyone is using the same setup. We will discuss the overall look and appearance of Windows 11, new features, use of the taskbar and start menu and navigation through common tasks. We’ll also explain how to access File Explorer to find your own records, using the Edge browser and how to connect to WiFi.
NOTE: This class DOES NOT address how to convert from earlier Windows versions or pro’s/con’s of converting.
Prerequisite: none
Applicable for all levels
DASHLANE PASSWORD MANAGER
Registration fee $5
This session will explain how you can use the Dashlane application as a “wallet” to store and access your very personal and critical information anywhere in the world without fear of losing it and with no paper. The security and encryption capabilities will be described to assure you your information is safe. We’ll see how to store hundreds of passwords, credit cards, private documents and IDs and access them from anywhere in the world. Finally, we’ll discuss how to allow the people you designate, to access some of the items in your wallet, in a secure manner.
NOTE: DO NOT BRING YOUR COMPUTER TO CLASS
WINDOWS 11 PART 2 – ADVANCED
(Part 2 of 2)
Registration fee $5
Prerequisite: Windows 11 Part 1 Introduction class and the equipment listed above.
This class is the second of a two-part series – you must attend Part 1 before taking this course.
The main goals of this class are to demonstrate how to adjust the taskbar, settings, start menu and Internet browser in order to personalize your laptop to your needs and preferences. There will be detailed walk-thru of the Settings app.
Please arrive 15 minutes early to connect your laptop to electricity, connect to the Internet, and log into Windows 11.
Please bring the following to class:
- Your laptop and power cord
- Mouse
- Your Microsoft login username and password
- Your mobile hot spot if you use one
Applicable for all levels
ELECTRONIC DEVICE SECURITY
Registration fee $5
Learn to safely use the Internet and keep your personal information and money safe from the crooks. We will teach you to spot and and avoid email scammers, hackers, online cons, viruses and a host of other tips to keep you safe when using your computer, cell phone or tablet. Since this is a lecture course your skill level with a computer or cell phone is not a factor. Course materials will be provided. Be safe and don’t get your name on the Dark Web for the crooks to find.
Students will learn:
- Mobile Security – tips for being safe on your digital devices and use of public WiFi
- Virus – what viruses are, how they work and how to avoid
- Hacking – what it is and how to avoid
- Pfishing – how scammers operate
- Ransomeware – how it works and how to avoid
- Scare Tactics – email, web and telephone: (example IRS scam)
- Security Updates – importance and computer settings
- Antivirus programs – free programs vs paid systems
- Safe web surfing – best settings and non tracking options of browsers
- Passwords – creating unique, strong passwords for each of your online accounts.
- Virtual Private Network – use VPN to protect your privacy, movements and transactions.
NOTE: DO NOT BRING YOUR COMPUTER TO CLASS
Applicable for all levels
WINDOWS 11 SECRETS
Registration fee $5
Windows 11 comes with many short cuts and useful apps including Paint program, 3-D Paint and one that lets you clip out what you see on your screen and another to connect your phone to your computer. One will even give you access to characters that are not on your keyboard. There is also a file shredder app. We will look into many of these as well as some of the keyboard shortcut that can save you time and effort. Bring your laptop if you have one.
Best for Windows 11 users
GENEALOGY
Registration fee $5
You may bring your computer and/or flash drive to all classes
Prerequisite: A working knowledge of computers and file systems is required
Genealogy 101 – Finding Your Roots
Objectives are:
Record Keeping for Genealogy
Objectives of this class are:
Using Snip & Sketch and Start a Family Tree on Ancestry
The first part of this class will teach the student how to find and use the Snip & Sketch to add clips to files. The second part of the class will teach the student how to get started on the Ancestry.com website. The student will open a free account on Ancestry Website and set up a basic Family Pedigree Chart. We will look at some of the other software that is on line. If possible, the student should have information available as much as possible on their parents and grandparents. Such info would include birth names, birth dates, location where they lived. Any other family info is a plus to get started.
Exploring Census Records
In this class we will learn a bit of history about Census records mostly in the US; there is some information about the United Kingdom and Canada Census Records. We will look at what information is available on census records from the various years. We will learn how to analyze the information for its best use.
Intro to DNA and Family History
In this class we will learn the basics of what DNA is, how genetic information is passed down from generation to generation, how DNA testing can determine one’s ethnicity, using DNA for Health Analysis and matching DNA with others to determine relationships.
FREE SELF-STUDY COURSES
Digital Photography (Introduction)
eBay – Shopping and Selling Online
There are many versions of Kindle e-readers and Kindle Fire tablets. Clicking on this link takes you to Amazon Kindle support where you can select the device you own and get to a listing of “how to’s” and YouTube videos.
Transferring Photos from Phone/Tablet to Windows PC:
- Connect to PC and Transfer (step-by-step article)
- Organize Photos and Videos (YouTube for senior citizens)