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SEE CURRENT SCHEDULE BELOW

JANUARY - APRIL 2024

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Click the headings above (on computer) or tap the 3 yellow lines in the above-right (on cell phone) for Mike on video, administrator & student comments, tons of students' pics, and listings of centers you can register with.

You can now take live-virtual, instructor-led classes
with Mike from the comfort of your own home!
 

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IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19...you can now take basic live
instructor-led classes with Mike practically anytime and
anywhere in the country, from the comfort of your own home!

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Mike has partnered with 25 government/state centers. Click on the "Met Mike on Video" tab above to view some institutions you can register with for Zoom classes from
Sept. - Dec.  2023. If you are on a cell phone, tap the 3 lines at the top right of
your screen to view the institutions and other information.

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You may register with one
of many institutions:

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(E-mail Mike at backoncourse@att.net for more information about registering for your Zoom
online class with community centers, Parks & Recs, and other state-run institutions around
the country. After registering, the Zoom link will be e-mailed to you prior to class.)

 

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​MIKE'S CLASSES FROM JANUARY - APRIL 2024 

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All classes are 20.00, with the exception of the iPhone and iPad classes.

The computer literacy classes below cover four days, and the classes are 99.00.
 

There are different dates under the headings below.
For example, the first class: “Computer Help for The Absolute Beginner”.
This heading has four dates: 9-12-23, 9-16-23, 10-8-23, and 11-6-23. This is one class
that is taught on four different times. So, students need only choose ONE of the dates.

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YOU MAY E-MAIL MIKE A FEW DAYS BEFORE CLASS IF YOU
THINK YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE GETTING ON ZOOM.
Mike will guide you to setting up Zoom.
backoncourse@att.net

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A PRACTICAL COMPUTER
CLASS FOR OLDER ADULTS

1-20-24 / 12 p.m. / 1 hour 

3-30-24 / 12 p.m.  /  1 hour 

4-7-24 / 3 p.m.  /  1 hour 

4-23-24 / 2 p.m.  /  1 hour 

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Have you taken computer classes before and been totally lost? Well, this unique class is for those who are looking for simple and practical instructions. Your patient instructor has trained 1000s of older adults, with 4 and 5-star ratings! We will discuss the popular YouTube website that offers 1000s of free informative and entertaining videos, show a few email tips and tricks, demonstrate online shopping, visit AARP and other related websites for seniors, use some shortcut keys, and navigate Google Search to do research and get information. So, if you have been frustrated with other classes, consider taking this refreshing and informative computer class for older adults! You won’t be disappointed!

 

COMPUTER HELP FOR

THE ALMOST ABSOLUTE
BEGINNER

1-7-24  /  2 p.m.  /  1 hour 

1-12-24  /  6 p.m.  / 1 hour 

1-21-24 /  4 p.m.  / 1 hour 

3-6-24 / 7 p.m. / 1 hour 

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Basic requirement: you must know how to use a mouse or touchpad and be able to access your e-mail account. Learn from your home! Simply click the text sent to your e-mail and follow a few simple instructions to enter the “Zoom classroom.” You will then be watching and listening to your live instructor! He will start off explaining basic terms that can be foreign to the beginner. We will navigate the desktop and look at some of the benefits of using a computer. Let’s take the mystery out of ‘www’ and the Internet, compose an e-mail, and check out the current news. Other features may be discussed as time allows. See instructor’s demonstrations right from your computer. (Not for Apple/Mac users.)

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Note: you may contact the instructor at backoncourse@att.net if you need help getting on Zoom. E-mail Mike at least a few days before class. 4-5 star ratings from 1000s of older adults!

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HOW DO I TAKE A LIVE ZOOM
CLASS AS A PARTICIPANT?

1-8-24  /  7 p.m.  /  1 hour

2-4-24  / 1 p.m. / 1 hour

 

Many instructors use Zoom for live/virtual classes such as cooking classes, painting, exercising, computers, music, and others. The students or participants will gain a working knowledge of how to use Zoom controls to benefit from being in Zoom sessions. "Author and computer instructor Mike Wilson will help participants understand the process of receiving Zoom invites, “getting to your classroom,” and navigating the features used in Zoom. This user-friendly class will be held over Zoom. If you need assistance getting on Zoom, please e-mail instructor days prior to class at backoncourse@att.net . 4-5 star ratings from 1000s of older adults!

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I NEED TO HOST MY
OWN ZOOM MEETING?

1-19-24 / 7 p.m.  /  1 hour  

1-28-24 / 1p.m..  /  1 hour

4-4-24 / 4 p.m.  /  1 hour 

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You will see how a host sends an e-mail, invites, and schedules meetings. Even the basic host controls can seem overwhelming, but we will explore those, as well. You’ll learn how to Share Screen, invite, and send links to e-mails. This class is a great place to start before hosting your first Zoom meeting! Join this informative class by Zoom. 4-5 star ratings from 1000s of older adults!

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ENJOY NAVIGATING YOUR

WINDOWS 10 COMPUTER

1-27-24 / 12 p.m.  / 1 hour 

3-3-24 / 12 p.m.  /  1 hour 

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Your instructor will define and demonstrate the Windows 10 operating system and related features. See how to navigate the desktop, use the taskbar, and work with icons. Learn about apps and how they are organized in Windows 10 and use the start menu to explore even more features. (Not for Apple/Mac users.) See all the neat features by Zoom. 4-5 star ratings from 1000s of older adults!

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THE EASY TO LEARN iPad CLASS!

3-13, 14, 15 / 4-5 p.m.  /  3 hours

4-6, 13, 20 / 2-3 p.m. / 3 hours 

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Take this fun and informative iPad class! We will explore the practical uses of your iPad and how to use the features! You will learn how to navigate, use apps, work with e-mail, take pictures, go online, and do more as time permits. Your patient instructor’s iPad screen and features will be clearly displayed over Zoom. 4-5 star ratings from 1000s of older adults! Not for Android tablet users.

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WINDOWS 11 – STARTING
FROM THE BEGINNING

2-3-24 / 12 p.m.  /  1 hour 

3-10-24 / 12 p.m.  /  1 hour  

4-18-24 / 3 p.m.  /  1 hour 

This is an adult-friendly Windows 11 class! See how to use the desktop and the new taskbar. We’ll also explore the start menu and related features. In addition, you will learn about the new design, the use of widgets, and how Windows 11 is organized. (Not for Apple/Mac users.) Meet us on Zoom for this informative class! 4-5 star ratings from 1000s of older adults!

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MICROSOFT WORD:
THE VERY BASICS

1-10-24  /  12 p.m.  /  1 hour 

2-11-24  /  2 p.m.  /  1 hour 

3-8-24  /  2 p.m.  /  1 hour 

4-22-24  / 10 a.m.  /  1 hour 

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Your instructor will break down the unknown Microsoft Word stuff. and present them to you in a clear, sensible, and enjoyable way! We will briefly look at the free and paid version of word processors. Then the instructor will open and show basic functions in Microsoft Word. We will go on to explore saving, alignments, bullets, numbering, and indents.. (Not for Apple/Mac users.) Take this class by Zoom in the comfort of your home! 4-5 star ratings from 1000s of older adults!

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GETTING MORE OUT
OF MICROSOFT WORD

1-17-24  /  12 p.m.  /  1 hour 

2-18-24  /  2 p.m.  /  1 hour 

3-9-24  /  2 p.m..  /  1 hour 

4-29-24  / 10 a.m.  /  1 hour 

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Let’s make your tasks in Microsoft Word a lot easier! You will save time and frustration and see how to properly use tabs. We will go on to explore dictation, easy paragraph functions, the sort feature, and using macros to eliminate laborious repetition. See the beauty of working with soft and hard returns and how to easily create and use tables. Get tips and tricks, as well as use shortcuts to save time. Let’s look at creating headers/footers and using the Format Painter to easily format existing text. (Not for Apple/Mac users.) Learn lots of great information by Zoom! 4-5 star ratings from 1000s of older adults!

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ALL ABOUT PICTURES - FINDING,
ORGANIZING, EDITING, AND SAVING
ON YOUR COMPUTER!

1-23-24  /  2 p.m.  /  1 hour 

2-17-24  /  2 p.m..  /  1 hour 

3-18-24  / 6 p.m.  /  1 hour 

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During this class you will learn how to manage pictures on your computer. Also, find out how to name, rename, and move pictures into folders to get organized. We will take a look at using the Photo Gallery and minor editing of pictures, such as cropping and making enhancements. We will use pictures for desktop backgrounds and insert a picture into Microsoft Word to manipulate for flyers, invitations, and other printed materials. This is a great class - held over Zoom. (Not for Apple/Mac users.) 4-5 star ratings from 1000s of older adults!

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WORKING WITH AND ORGANIZING
YOUR DOCUMENTS ON
WINDOWS 10 AND 11 COMPUTERS

2-7-24  /  1 p.m.  /  1 hour 

3-17-24  /  2 p.m..  /  1 hour 

4-9-24  / 5 p.m.  /  1 hour 

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The instructor will show you how to save files with Microsoft Word and your free installed Windows 10 and 11 word processors. We will also cover how to create a PDF file and why we would use them. You will see how to view, organize, and find your documents, as well as place them on flash drives, external drives, and the cloud. We’ll explore features to preview documents without opening them and attach documents to your e-mail for sending. Learn all these features in the Zoom classroom! 4-5 star ratings from 1000s of older adults! (Not for Apple/Mac users.)

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SEARCH FOR PRACTICALLY
ANYTHING THROUGH GOOGLE

2-9-24  /  1 p.m.  /  1 hour 

3-31-24  /  2 p.m..  /  1 hour 

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Understand how to use and get the best out of a search engine such as Google for looking up information and doing research. Find out how to search for practically anything online and limit your searching for more accuracy. Great class to open the power of Google search! Meet us on Zoom for this informative class! 4-5 star ratings from 1000s of older adults!

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EXCEL FOR THE
ABSOLUTE BEGINNER

1-24-24  /  12 p.m.  /  1 hour 

2-25-24  /  2 p.m..  /  1 hour 

3-16-24  / 2 p.m.  /  1 hour 

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Instructor will demonstrate how to navigate and interface with Excel’s basic features. See how to create a simple contact list. You will view how to use calculations such as AutoSum and see how to generate simple formulas. Also, learn to use the fill handle, sort existing data, merge and center, move cells and ranges, and wrap text. These easy steps will be held over Zoom. 4-5 star ratings from 1000s of older adults!

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LET’S LEARN ALL ABOUT E-MAILING

1-31-24  / 6 p.m..  /  1 hour 

2-28-24  /  11 a.m.  /  1 hour 

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Learn how to e-mail, forward, reply, and send attachments. You will see how e-mails are organized and deleted. Work with other features, such as starred, drafts and sent. Become acquainted with the writing tools, e-mail folders, and creating links to direct others to your area of interest and websites you have visited. In addition, we will look at contacts and how to use them. All these features will be clearly demonstrated in Zoom. 4-5 star ratings from 1000s of older adults!

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COMPUTER SCAMS, AND
WHAT NOT TO CLICK ON!

2-10-24  / 1 p.m..  /  1 hour 

3-25-24  /  6 p.m.  /  1 hour 

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Don’t let your computer control you! Find out what you should and should NOT click on. Instructor will discuss scams to know about; frustrating and suspicious popups; advertisements; your haywire computer, e-mail ads, and links. (Not for Apple/Mac users, or tablets.) We’ll use Zoom as our classroom. 4-5 star ratings from 1000s of older adults!

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR iPhone

3-20, 21, 22  / 2 p.m..  /  1 hour 

4-1, 2, 3  /  2 p.m.  /  1 hour 

 

Author and instructor Mike Wilson will demonstrate how to use your smart phone. This class is designed for mature and recent iPhone users! Mike will cover cell phone topics, such as: the photo app, texting, navigating, apps, contacts, e-mail, camera, App store, settings, and the Internet. Your patient instructor and class will meet over Zoom. 4-5 star ratings from 1000s of older adults! Not for Android users.

 

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LEARN TO USE POWERPOINT FOR

ZOOM AND OTHER PRESENTATIONS

3-23  /  2 p.m.  /  1 hour 

4-25 / 3 p.m.  /  1 hour 

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You can create eye-catching presentations with PowerPoint! Explore the PowerPoint interface and see presentations from simple stock designs. Learn to easily apply themes, animate text, and insert images. See how to create text boxes and manipulate slides for printing. We will enhance a presentation by adding animations and transitions. Finally, view the actual presentation as seen by your audience and get a few tips and tricks to design presentations for maximum impact. (We do not show how to share PowerPoint in Zoom during this class. Not for Apple/Mac users.) This will be a class held on Zoom. 4-5 star ratings from 1000s of older adults!

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SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH

AN EASY COMPUTER TUNE-UP

1-26-24  / 2 p.m.  /  1 hour 

2-26-24  /  2 p.m.  /  1 hour 

3-4-24  / 11 a.m.  /  1 hour 

4-14-24 /  2 p.m..  /  1 hour 

Save money and fix your computer yourself! No great skills needed. Use three proven free online software to fix most software related issues like malware and viruses with a few clicks of a button! Speed up your computer in no time!  (Not for Apple/Mac users.) Easy steps held over Zoom. 4-5 star ratings from 1000s of older adults!

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Computer Literacy - Module #1

COMPUTER LITERACY TRAINING FOR
THOSE WHO STRUGGLE WITH COMPUTERS

October 1, 8, 15, 22
7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
$99.00

Take this basic Zoom training with a live instructor! This module will cover the essentials of: Basic Navigating Skills, Internet Essentials, Email and Browser Use, and Windows 10 & 11 Essentials. This will be a total of 4-hour training to help you become more proficient in the practical and everyday use of computers. After taking each of the six subjects above, you may take free self-paced quizzes to further improve on what you have learned. You may also like to receive certificates of completion after passing your quiz(zes). Please e-mail Mike, your instructor, at backoncourse@att.net for a course outline and more information. (Not for Mac, Chromebook, or tablet users)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Computer Literacy - Module #2

WORKPLACE SKILLS TRAINING FOR THOSE
WHO STRUGGLE WITH ESSENTIAL SOFTWARE

October 29, and November 5, 12, 19
7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
$99.00

Take this basic Zoom training with a live instructor! This module will cover the essentials of: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Searching Google for More Information. The module will cover a total of 4-hour training to help you become skilled, using computer software in the workplace. After taking each of the four subjects above, you may take free self-paced quizzes to further improve on what you have learned. You may also like to receive optional certificates of completion after passing your quiz(zes). Please e-mail Mike, your instructor, at backoncourse@att.net for a course outline and more information. (Not for Mac, Chromebook, or tablet users)

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To take a class with Mike, simply click on

the text that will be sent to your e-mail, and
follow the few steps to enter "your classroom".
Mike will be speaking with you and you will see
(on your screen) everything he is doing.

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