In April we followed up learning our about emails by exploring the email app and sending ourselves an email with a photo attached using Copy and Paste. We also used the Save Draft function. And then at the end we Deleted all of that hard work. The following week we all had another practise of our emailing skills. Email security was discussed as per the Be Connected unit ‘Email Safety and Security.’ We then launched into a new topic; ‘Introduction to buying and selling online.’ Elly was able to show everyone the Benalla Marketplace site and explain how the site works. I used the EBay site to demonstrate buying and purchased a new iPad cover online. I hope to be able to bring my new iPad cover to the next class. Jenny Sawyer |
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We had two sessions in March. Again, we discussed the Internet and made sure all participants were connected to the U3A Internet by looking for the appropriate network and then entering the passcode. If already connected previously then we checked that devices were set at automatically connect. To save time we added the Be Connected site to our Home Page as a direct link eliminating a Google search. The ensuing lessons were focused on ‘Using Email’:
Jenny Sawyer Welcome to all Be Connected participants, old and new.
Be Connected has added new courses and topics to the program. The 2022 Course list handout now comprises seven pages. Seeing as we are at the beginning of the year, we have gone back over some of the introductory information. We started with ‘What is the Internet?’ and ‘Using the Internet’. It was interesting to reflect on these topics, even for seasoned users who are using the Internet every day. Jenny Sawyer Safer Internet Day – ‘Play It Fair Online’, is a time to consider ‘best practice’ in internet safety in terms of our own online presence as well as protecting ourselves from online scares. The ‘Safety First’ online topic resources on Be Connected will continue to be drawn upon in 2022 and we will continue to regularly raise the issue of protection against scams—a topic at a Meet and Mingle presentation last year.
Protect against Scams Be alert. If you get an email or phone call you suspect is not genuine:
In November we revisited the ‘All About Data’ Course. This is divided into five units. We have been working systematically through these during our last few sessions:
Jenny Sawyer Over 20 U3A Benalla members attended the Be Connected lunch held on the veranda of the Senior’s Centre on Wednesday 20 October 2021. This was part of the Get On Line week celebrations supported by the Good Things Foundation who run the Be Connected course for the Federal Government. There were many pleasing aspects of the lunch. First the food from Hide's Bakery was delicious, and the outlook from the veranda of the Senior’s Centre was magnificent. U3A Benalla has never used this as a venue before, but on a beautiful sunny October day the setting worked very well.
We also welcomed three new participants Joy Campbell, Terry Campbell and Trish Saker who wish to join our digital classes. We were pleased to see our Android Convenor Robyn Lukey joining in the fun. Another pleasing aspect of the lunch was the interaction between members who were able to share their skills of attaching a vaccination digital certificate to the Services Victoria App for other members who needed assistance. We also distributed a photocopy of the method for attaching the vaccination certificate to the Services Victoria App to several other members. The lunch ran until Jenny Sawyer’s Apple class commenced, everyone voting that it was a very enjoyable way to celebrate Get On Line week. Margaret Jenkins "Data" - photo of small group 'Be Connected class - 13 October, 2021 In October we have had two sessions of Be Connected. It was pleasing to revisit the Be Connected website and see that there were new modules added to the Topic Library. We spent the first week exploring one of these; ‘Using the Cloud’. This provides great explanation of the cloud in general and most of the content was in the form of short instructive videos. Following on from the general explanation there were further units from which you could choose either Apple or Android. For Apple users cloud storage was through iCloud. For Android users the cloud storage was through Google Account. The following week we delved back to an earlier topic; ‘Data’. We looked at how you can check your data allowance and usage on your devices. Then discussed using your devices to stream TV, films, music and sport. So the apps for ABC iView and other free to air TV stations are free and the content is free but the data usage is not. The apps for Stan and other streaming services are free but the content and the data usage are not. Jenny Sawyer
A 'Be Connected' information session and lunch
will be held after Meet and Mingle at 11.45 on Wednesday 20th October to celebrate `Get Online Week’. Lunch - delicious Hide's sandwiches & slices - provided. If you would like to attend, please contact Geraldine 0408 522 662 In addition to Jenny’s Sawyer’s Be Connected classes on the 1st and 2nd Wednesdays of the month from 2 to 3.30 pm, we are currently piloting a small group ‘Zoom’ short course for beginners and on-line mentoring sessions for members keen to try hosting Zoom sessions themselves. There are also some useful ‘self-help’ resources on the website – go to https://u3abenalla.weebly.com/using-zoom.html. If you are interested in learning to attend or host Zoom Meetings, please fill out the online application form at https://u3abenalla.weebly.com/news/are-you-interested-in-learning-how-to-attend-zoom-meetings or call Margaret Jenkins on 5762 6944.
Also related to Be Connected, U3A Benalla are celebrating Get On Line Week with a Pizza Lunch at the Senior's Centre on Wednesday 20 October at 11.45am. Depending on how many people are allowed in the Senior's Centre that day, plans have been made to use the verandah outside our U3A room for some tables and chairs so that we can enjoy the lunch without breaking COVID regulations. If you have neighbours or friends who would like to join our computer classes next year, please bring them along to the lunch so that we can provide them with information regarding the various digital classes available in 2022. Margaret Jenkins, Bev Lee and Jenny Sawyer U3A Benalla is hoping to have a Pizza lunch at 11.45am on Wednesday 20th October 2021 in the Senior’s Centre as part of Get On Line week for U3A members. This will follow Meet and Mingle which will be held at 10am that day.
The theme of this year’s Get On Line week is “Get Connected”. The Committee understand that this needs to be a COVID safe event, and are hoping that lock down will be relaxed by that date. Margaret Jenkins |
'Be Connected'Attention all members with portable computing devices, be they smart phones, tablets, iPads or laptops. Be Connected* is being offered in 2022 for members who would like to broaden their computing knowledge and increase their confidence using smart phones, tablets, iPads and laptops. You will need to bring a device to each session - internet access is provided by U3A. If you don't have a suitable device, U3A have a limited number of iPads and tablets for borrowing. Convenor and Contact DetailsJenny Sawyer
0409 545 182 Meeting times1st and 2nd Wednesday
2 pm to 3.30 pm. U3A Meeting Room, Fawckner Drive MentorsPat Treleaven
Helen Jeffree Lin Ryan ...along with sharing and support by other class members. LinksArchives
April 2022
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