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Nowadays, smart phones are miniature computers. Nevertheless, while they may possess the capabilities of a desktop computer, using these devices is nothing like sitting in front of a computer with a full-size keyboard, mouse, and large digital screen.
Now in my 70th year, I purchased my first smart phone only three years ago and learning to use this device has been a struggle. I can’t see like I used to and the screens on these phones are tiny. There’s no mouse and typing on the miniature keyboard is difficult for my big clunky fingers.
I tried to learn some watching basics “beginner” videos on YouTube but the videos presumed I had way more skills. I had to figure out how to turn the device on/off, download an APP, delete an APP, organize the APPs in different groups on different screens, connect to WiFi, turn on/off data roaming, link devices to bluetooth, etc. The list is endless! I took the phone to Europe last spring and had to learn WhatsAPP, Booking.com, translation APPs, and Google Maps.
I’ve created this class for people over sixty. This is an actual class for beginners! This workshop is not a slide show presentation or lecture. This is experiential learning. Bring your smart phone, fully charged, and we’ll sit around and practice using our phones together. We’ll learn from each other. Participants will create the curriculum on the spot from their questions. I’m no expert and will be learning from you! However, I invited a bonafide expert to assist us.
Jon Epstein is a lifelong experiential educator. A private music teacher for nearly fifty years and former Outward Bound Instructor, Jon has taught mountaineering, first-aid, XC-skiing, and many other skills you can’t learn from reading a book or watching a video.
Taylor Stratton is one of the Olympia Food Coop’s Tech Coordinators and has years of professional experience as an IT technician. Taylor loves tinkering with and learning more about computers, and feels strongly that everyone should be empowered to learn more about the technology they use and interact with every day.
Our Co-op Community Classes program has a long and exciting history; we've had a plethora of learning partners over the years, the Free School, GRUB, the Fertile Ground, and more. Many of our classes focus on basic kitchen skills, often paired with a solid education in a particular kind of food: hearty greens, fermented foods, international delicacies, pies, etc. We also feature classes on gardening, personal health, sustainable living, and social justice. Classes are geared towards beginners, with no assumption of prior knowledge, often packed with specific projects appealing to those with more experience.
At the heart of all of our programming is the spirit of generosity. Our classes are led by Olympia Food Co-op working members, staff and community members who want to share their excitement and knowledge with you. Consider sharing your expertise with your community through a Co-op Community Class. Our classrooms are a place to experiment, to explore, and to try something new in a supportive environment. They are a great place to network and meet others in your community who share your interests.
