Senior Planet Classes
Through partnering with Senior Planet’s licensing program, MVLS offers AARP's Senior Planet proprietary curriculum. Community members 50 and older, are invited to join these lectures and workshops designed to help older adults learn new skills, save money, exercise, make new friends and so much more.
To request a class for your nonprofit group, senior center, or library contact Mary Carrier, Technology & Growth Consultant at mcarrier@mvls.info.
Sample of one hour lectures available:
Everyday Uses of AI: Everyone is talking about AI. Come to this class to be a part of the conversation! This lecture will show you the ways AI is already present in everyday tasks and how it is used in everything from voice assistants to customer service and healthcare. We’ll look at common applications of AI across multiple industries and discuss ways you too can take advantage of this influential technology.
AI & Disinformation: Today's AI-powered tools and social media have made it easier and faster to create and spread disinformation. In this lecture, we’ll explore how AI is used to create convincing deepfakes and clone voices, making it challenging to distinguish between real and fake content. We’ll also review best practices for evaluating information and explore tech tools that can help identify content created with AI.
Mindfulness Apps: Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present and aware. You can practice mindfulness through simple activities. This lecture introduces mindfulness and its physical and mental benefits, such as reducing anxiety, improving memory, and lowering blood pressure. You’ll learn about popular apps that teach breathing and meditation techniques, as well as new technology like wearable breath monitors and smart yoga mats.
Messaging Apps: Text messaging has become one of the primary ways we communicate. But did you know that you can send texts over the internet? Learn about the most popular messaging apps that allow you to send texts for free when connected to WiFi. The lecture will go over the features of three widely-used apps: iMessages, Google Chat, and WhatsApp. You’ll learn about sending texts and pictures, making voice and video calls, and how these apps keep your messages secure.
Ridesharing Apps: Apps have changed the way many people get around! This presentation will explore ride sharing apps, which are also known as e-hailing apps. Learn about the two most popular apps — Uber and Lyft — and the pros and cons of them both.
Online Shopping: Online shopping lets you buy products on the internet from your computer and have them shipped to your home or anywhere! Online stores often have larger inventories and lower prices, so you can quickly find the best deal. This lecture will provide a general introduction to shopping online using the popular website Amazon.com. You’ll learn how to search for products, make comparisons, and add items to an online shopping cart.
Online Health Resources at a Glance: The internet can be an excellent source for learning more about your or a loved one’s health. This presentation will introduce you to the topics and tools offered on two reputable websites, MedlinePlus and Mayo Clinic. You’ll also learn how to evaluate health-related information online.
Intro to Estate Planning Resources & Tools: Estate planning may sound intimidating or something that requires a lot of resources. Creating an estate plan just means making sure that your health, finances, and anything you own is handled according to your wishes. In this case, a simple plan is better than no plan! In this lecture, you’ll get an overview of some common documents found in an estate plan. We’ll also cover some free or low-cost resources and digital tools to help you get started with a simple estate plan.
Tips for Being News Savvy Online: In the digital age, anyone can publish anything on the internet, even if it's completely false. This lecture will explain the way technology has made it easier to create and spread misinformation. We'll discuss tools to evaluate news sources and review helpful fact-checking sites. You'll learn why it's important to read and check your sources before sharing!