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SEE CURRENT SCHEDULE BELOW

JANUARY - APRIL 2025​

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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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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 on Zoom or in the

classroom. 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 2025 

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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, see the first class: “A Practical Computer Class for Older Adults”.
This heading has five dates: 1/7, 19, 31; 2/18; and 3/15. This is only ONE CLASS that repeats five times.
It's not a five-part class. 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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ALL CLASSES BELOW ARE IN EASTERN STANDARD TIME.

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STAFF TRAINING CLASS OFFERED FOR 2025

(This training will be held live/virtual by Zoom.)

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TRAINING-THE-TRAINER:
Helping Staff Teach Computer Literacy

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Do you have library or center staff members who has been assigned to teach computer classes but could use some help to become more proficient? Mike Wilson has 20 years’ experience teaching 1000s of older adults. His class is designed to assist staff with the dynamics that take place in the classroom. We will discuss questions you may have considered about older adults who struggle with learning. We will discuss what techniques it takes to really help them learn and go away from your class having been satisfied that they came! (This is a 1-1/2 hour session held by Zoom. $175)

Here is what we will discuss:

• Take Them Along with You

• Get Them Engaged

• Keep Them Coming Back

• Dealing With Problem Patrons/students

 

 

 

 

 

CLASSES FOR STUDENTS, OFFERED FOR 2025

(This training will be held live/virtual by Zoom.)

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A PRACTICAL COMPUTER
CLASS FOR OLDER ADULTS

1/7           1:00 – 2:00 p.m.                    20.00

1/19         2:00 – 3:00 p.m.                    20.00

1/31         3:00 – 4:00 p.m.                    20.00

2/18         12:30 – 1:30 p.m.                  20.00

3/15         11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.       20.00

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!

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FOR THE NON-DESIGNER: DESIGN BUSINESS
CARDS, FLYERS, INVITATIONS, AND MORE!

1/12         3:00 – 4:00 p.m.                    20.00

2/8           2:00 - 3:00 p.m.                     20.00

4/7           2:00 – 3:00 p.m.                     20.00

 

Learn to edit beautiful looking template designs you can print out, save, send by e-mail or use in Facebook or for practically any type of print and social media project. No more working from scratch! The instructor will show how to get the free user-friendly Canva program. This class is especially for beginning and novice non-designers. You will be amazed at how professional your projects will look. Why pay designers hundreds of dollars when you can do it yourself in no time?

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AI (Ai) FOR OLDER ADULTS –

SO EASY AND PRACTICAL!

1/5           3:00 – 4:00 p.m.                    20.00

1/10         1:00 – 2:00 p.m.                    20.00

1/27         4:00 – 5:00 p.m.                    20.00

2/15         2:00 – 3:00 p.m.                    20.00

3/23         4:00 – 5:00 p.m.                    20.00

Are you curious about AI (Ai)? Then this class is for you! (Older adults will find this class very rewarding!)  We will explore the practical benefits of using a basic form of AI called ChatGPT. Find quick written solutions to problems based on your exact needs. Generate personalized text in seconds for invitations, letters, and any other materials you are looking to create. AI will quickly generate any text for you based on your interest. Take your search, research, inquiries, and answers to questions to a whole new level! Also, never worry about grammar and spelling errors again! You will be amazed at how user-friendly this session will be. Take this class; you won’t be disappointed!

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I NEED TO HOST MY
OWN ZOOM MEETING?

1/14         1:00 – 2:00 p.m.                  20.00

2/2           3:00 – 4:00 p.m.                    20.00

4/3           6:00 – 7:00 p.m.                    20.00

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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WINDOWS 11 – STARTING
FROM THE BEGINNING

1/16         3:00 – 4:00 p.m.                    20.00

2/5           3:00 – 4:00 p.m.                    20.00

3/22         11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.       20.00

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

1/22         4:00 – 5:00 p.m.                    20.00

2/9           3:00 – 4:00 p.m.                    20.00

3/25         4:00 – 5:00 p.m.                    20.00

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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CREATING ENVELOPES AND LABELS
IN MICROSOFT WORD

2/12         4:00 – 5:00 p.m.                    20.00

3/27         4:00 - 5:00 p.m.                    20.00

You will see how to create and print different size computer generated labels in Microsoft Word. These labels can be printed and affixed on envelopes and packages for shipping. In addition, you will learn to create a single letter to use for mass distribution, without having to repeat a list of recipients’ names and addresses! Names can easily be saved in a database for future mailings of labels, envelopes and mass mailings.

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GETTING MORE OUT
OF MICROSOFT WORD

1/29         4:00 – 5:00 p.m.                    20.00

2/16         3:00 – 4:00 p.m.                    20.00

3/26         4:00 – 5:00 p.m.                    20.00

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!

1/18         3:00 – 4:00 p.m.                    20.00

2/23         3:00 – 4:00 p.m.                    20.00

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

3/2           3:00 – 4:00 p.m.                    20.00

4/25         3:00 – 4:00 p.m.                    20.00

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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EXCEL FOR THE
ABSOLUTE BEGINNER

1/25         3:00 – 4:00 p.m.                    20.00

2/19         4:00 – 5:00 p.m.                  20.00

3/16         4:00 – 5:00 p.m.                    20.00

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

1/11         11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.                    20.00

2/3           6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.                        20.00

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!

2/25         1:00 – 2:00 p.m.                  20.00

3/30         4:00 – 5:00 p.m.                    20.00

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

2/26, 27, 28          11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.        55.00

11/10, 17, and 24      5:00 – 6:00 p.m.        55.00

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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USING GOOGLE TO SEARCH

FOR LOTS OF INFORMATION

1/26         6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m             20.00

2/28         6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m             20.00

3/9           4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m            20.00

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!

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SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH

AN EASY COMPUTER TUNE-UP

2/6          11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.          20.00

4/27        3:00 – 4:00 p.m.                       20.00

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

$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

$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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ALL CLASSES HELD BY ZOOM

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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