In April, once again, we looked at the never ending issue of storage space for our photos on our devices. Many of us have found that we have used the space allocated so we need to know what alternatives, or solutions, there are available.

We also looked at emails, folders within emails, and terminology used for functions in emails.

Next month we will use the ‘Be Connected’ website to continue with the email theme. Also, by request, we will begin to delve into the world of Facebook and Instagram.

We continue to encourage class members to suggest topics and issues they would like help with.


​Ruth Jelliff

In March we looked at the various apps that come with Google. Participants were familiar with the common apps, - maps, gmail, photos and some others, so we concentrated on the less frequently used like google docs and calendar. Others to look at are wallet, keep notes, chat, meet, podcasts and files. There will be more that we will come across throughout the year.

Next month we will use the ‘Be Connected’ website to learn more about emails. Particularly how we can guard ourselves against scams and how to create new passwords.

We continue to encourage class members to suggest topics and issues they would like help with.
​
Ruth Jelliff

Welcome to our past and new participants. It has been great getting to know one another.
​
In February we learnt how to connect to different Wi Fi and to ‘Be Connected’ which will be the source of our information for this course.

We watched a very informative YouTube on checking settings on our devices to ensure we are getting the best use of them. We particularly checked the permissions settings on our apps and removed any that were unnecessary and could cause us harm.

Next month we will use the ‘Be Connected’ website to learn more about notifications and also discover all the different apps that Google has available for us.
​
We continue to encourage class members to suggest topics and issues they would like help with.
 
Ruth Jelliff

Our first session in November was all about photo storage. We looked at saving photos to the cloud using google photos, and how that affects photos in our phone’s gallery.

At our last session for this year we expanded on the photo storage theme and saving photos to external devices.

After a break I look forward to seeing new, and returning, participants for a back to basics start to our course in 2025.
​
Ruth Jelliff

During October we used the BeConnected website to look at, and try, some free games. We challenged ourselves by playing ‘Wordle’ and ‘Global’ – other free games available on the internet.

We also looked at different ways we could cast from our devices to our TV’s, to allow us to view our favourite movies or photos, on a larger screen.

We continue to encourage class members to suggest topics and issues they would like help with.
​
Ruth Jelliff

In September we were unfortunately only able to hold one session. We have some members taking overseas holidays shortly so we looked at how we can use our phones overseas, or in fact if we really need to rely on them (other than for photos and emergencies).

We continue to encourage class members to suggest topics and issues they would like help with.
​
Ruth Jelliff

In August we explored WhatsApp. We learnt that although WhatsApp is not used as frequently as it used to be it can still be a very useful free app. We watched a Be Connected video on how to make video calls with the app.

We visited the Service Victoria website and discussed the pros and cons of the many services available to us there. We also refreshed our scanning QR codes skills.

We continue to encourage class members to suggest topics and issues they would like help with.

​Ruth Jelliff

In July, with dwindling members attending, we have used the opportunity to focus on storing photos and signing in to the “BeConnected” website successfully.

Before we consider creating photo books we need to have our photos at their best quality possible and we also need to choose which photos we want to include to tell our story. We looked at different ways to categorize pictures and then different ways to save them to suit our individual needs.

The importance of the content that the BeConnected website offers offers cannot be overstated. We went back to basics and learnt how to join and sign in to the website.

We also watched a very helpful YouTube video showing us how to initially utilize the settings on our android devices.

We continue to encourage class members to suggest topics and issues they would like help with.
​
Ruth Jelliff

​In June we looked at Online Shopping and The Internet.

Online shopping can be an enjoyable and time saving experience. Initially we need to spend some time becoming familiar with the process, but, if we are constantly vigilant, it can be as safe as any other activity on our devices.

The Internet has become almost essential to our lives. We briefly touched on what the internet is and tackled the difficulties of filling out forms online.

In Semester 2, if there is sufficient interest, every alternate week we will focus on short project-based courses on topics such as Photo Books, word processing using Google Docs and other small projects. Meanwhile we will continue with issues from the Be Connected website, for example downloading documents, printing, signing if necessary, and then submitting them.
 
We continue to encourage class members to suggest topics and issues they would like help with.

​Please note that for July only our sessions have been postponed by a week to the 11th and 18th.


​
Ruth Jelliff

In May we looked at Scams and “The Cloud”.

Most of us are aware of scams in general so we spent some time looking at Impersonation Scams. Accessing Be Connected we explored these scams to considerable extent.

In our next session we demystified the area of “The Cloud”. We tried Google cloud and looked at the other cloud storages available to us free of charge.

In June we will look at online shopping and the internet, whilst spending time on issues that have arisen from previous sessions.

We continue to encourage class members to suggest topics and issues they would like help with.
​
Ruth Jelliff

Our two sessions in April reinforced to us that there are a myriad of ways to achieve our preferred outcomes on our devices.

Firstly we looked at using the camera. Taking photos and selfies and then editing them. Then we looked at an issue that we all seem to have to deal with at some time – sorting all our photos. Deleting duplicates – out of focus pics – other unwanted photos. Once we had some of these sorted we created folders for our photos so we could deal with them as we wish. Just a reminder, if there is sufficient interest, in Semester 2 we will concentrate, and maybe even produce, a photo book or other product using our sorted photos.

Whilst focusing further on how to connect to the “BeConnected” website we were led down the path of passwords and security. We discovered how most of us are able to find our passwords if we have saved them at some stage in google. This is both a positive and a negative feature as we do get to use apps and passwords that we had forgotten about but it was pointed out how easily an unwanted third party could potentially find the same.
In May we will explore the world of scams, online shopping and the internet.
​
We continue to encourage class members to suggest topics and issues they would like help with.

​Ruth Jelliff

In March we looked at emails – blocking unwanted emails and unsubscribing from organizations sending emails we no longer wish to receive.

Also, for a change, we shared some favourite “tricks” to get to the settings that we prefer to have  on our devices, for example how to access verification codes sent to us.

We used the “Be Connected” website to learn how to receive, and use, escripts from our doctors.

Following suggestions from our group we will look at photos during April.  Not only how to enhance our photos but also how best to store them to suit our individual preferences.

We continue to invite class members to suggest topics and issues they would like help with.


Ruth Jelliff

Welcome to our past and new participants. It has been great getting to know one another.

In February we have learnt how to connect to different Wi Fi modems and to ‘Be Connected’, which will be the source of our information for this semester. We have created shortcuts to our U3A Benalla website.

We have also scanned QR codes using the appropriate app.

Next month we will use the ‘Be Connected’ website to learn more about email and texting whilst problem solving as class members suggest topics and issues they would like help with.
​
Ruth Jelliff

At the end of 2023 our Tech Savvy Beginners - Android course was reviewed and redesigned to incorporate input from new convenor Ruth Jelliff, retiring convenor Robyn Lukey and class members..  It has also been renamed 'Be Connected - Android'.  

'Be Connected--Android' 

Semester 1 - Be Connected - Android will assist beginners who lack confidence in using their Android Mobile Phone or tablet to gain skills while at the same time having fun operating these devices.  One-to-one appointments will be available to assist beginners gain confidence.

Semester 2 - Our focus will shift to short project-based courses on topics such as 'Photo Books', word processing using 'Google Docs', and more.

Throughout the year class members will be able to suggest topics and issues they would like help with.  The course will draw upon a rang eof resources including the Be Connected Online Learning Resources. 

​The first session for 2024 will be on Thursday 1 February from 10 to 11:30 pm in U3A Classroom 1.

Topics covered in September included -

• Creating a gift from a personal photo. (BeConnected)
• What you can do with your photos (BeConnected)

• Using SnapFish or Vista Print to create gifts eg Books, Calendars & Mugs etc.

• What is AI?  We tried ChatGPT, asking some questions to generate content and discussed whether we should use AI to generate English content. 
• Find Penguins, a Travel Tracker and Travel Journal App which creates a travel journal, combining text and photographs in a travel blog which can be made into a book.  It is simple and easy to use – you just need to have your phone in your pocket.
• Hotpot AI - a valuable tool for enhancing selfies and headshots, thanks to its advanced image editing capabilities. Hotpot AI is equipped with features like the picture restorer, which can refine and restore the quality of portrait photographs. It has an option for editing photos quickly, and there is a version that is completely free.

(Thanks Bev, for introducing us to ChatGPT, Hotpot AI and Find Penguins!)

Robyn Lukey

Areas covered during August included:

• Downloading the app browser DuckDuckGo.  DuckDuckGo is the Internet privacy company for everyone who’s had enough of hidden online tracking and wants to take back their privacy now. “For over a decade, we’ve built products, created new technology, and worked with policymakers to make online privacy simple and accessible for all. Every day, millions of people rely on our free all-in-one app (Web and App Tracking Protection, Smarter Encryption, Private Search, Email Protection, and more) to stay more private online”. (www.duckduckgo.com) 
• Checking our My Gov accounts to make sure that nobody had hacked into our accounts. 
• Adding our popular contacts to favourites.    
  

                           
Thanks again to Janice & Ruth for filling in during my absence.

See you all on the 1st  & 2nd Thursdays of the month from 10 to 12 in Classroom 1. 

​Robyn

Janice ran our first session in July, introducing how to use What’s APP.  WhatsApp Messenger is a free instant messaging app available on both Android and iPhone. It allows you to send text messages to other users. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HIr_IpSBEQ). WhatsApp Messenger is similar to Messenger in Facebook, but you don’t have to have a Facebook account.

​Ruth ran our second session with lots of revision. There are many ways to manage your pictures eg sorting, downloading, creating folders to store pictures & choosing where to safely store pictures.

Thanks to our helpers Ruth, Janice & Lyn.

See you all 1st & 2nd Thursday in August.

​Robyn Lukey

Our May sessions have come & gone with some interesting topics discussed.   We learnt how to -

• Download QR reader/scanner (handy for Footy tickets & Theatre tickets)
• Create a Group in Contacts.
• Use Translator site when travelling overseas.
• Check our details on My Gov.
• Apply App Permissions
• Use ‘Contacts’ for a lot of other uses than just name & mobile no.
• Avoid Phishing Scams.
• Set up a Pay Pal account.
• Use Android Wallet.

We also had a look at the nature and implications of AI (Artificial Intelligence.

During April we discussed the pros and cons of shopping on eBay, Marketplace & Facebook and what to look out for.  We also worked on

• Downloading on-line forms.
• Filling out on-line forms once downloaded.
• Finding a suitable app to read and edit pdf format.
• Finding out where documents are saved to once downloaded eg Documents, Downloads etc.
• Downloading pictures from phone to lap top.
• Transferring business cards to our phone using Stocard app.
• Freeing up space in your wallet eg. Woolworths reward card, Library card etc.
• Reviewing Google Maps                                                                                             

Robyn Lukey

March was a busy month with some interesting discussions about travelling overseas and what we should be prepared for as far as technology is concerned.

We learnt how to -

• Use Google Maps.
• Save to the Cloud
• Create folders in D Drive of Google Drive.
• Transfer pictures to various storage devices
• Create folders in Gallery/Google pictures.
• Edit pictures – Paint 3D, Ultimate Photo Editor & Microsoft Photos.

We developed our understanding of ‘The Cloud’, were introduced to Google Drive and also discussed the pros & cons of purchasing a notebook/tablet over a computer/laptop.

Thanks to our helpers Ruth, Janice & Lyn.  See you all 1st Thursday in April.
​
Robyn Lukey

Members brought along a variety of mobile phones, tablets & lap tops to our classes iin February.   

We started out by learning (or revising) how to -

• Add our devices to the U3A WiFi Network
• Add a shortcut to our main page/screen – Be Connected & U3A website.
• Find a lost device.
• Use emails
• Remove Spam from our inbox
• Avoid Scammers.
• Block unwanted Emails & Messages
• SMS
• Allow Permissions with certain Apps

Robyn Lukey
February 2023

Topics covered in November included –

• ‘Using ‘Snip it’. The Windows Snipping Tool captures all or part of your PC screen’
• ‘Remotely finding your lost phone/tablet’ and
• ‘Blocking unwanted calls’.

Topics covered during September and October included

• What is a Scammer & how to look out for signs of scamming.
• What is a GIF (an animated object) and how to use & download GIF’s.  
• Registering on Be Connected website.
• Travelling in Australia being savvy when using your devices.
• Dash Camera – What does it do?
• Using the Torch on your mobile.
• Setting up Display Mode on your mobile.
• Buying on eBay - the pros and cons.
• What permissions should you allow in your Apps.
• How to register with Beconnected
• Connecting to U3A network

We also discussed the class structure for 2023.

Classes are held every 1st 2nd 3rd Thursday of the month, 10.00-12.00.  Join us!

Robyn Lukey

During August we

• Looked at & installed What’s App.
• Reset the length of time our phones stay on
• Cleared the Cache (housekeeping)
• Checked out Service Victoria & the services which are available using it
• Looked at managing our passwords
• Discussed virus protection eg Norton,  MacAfee & Microsoft Defender etc.

 
Classes are held every 1st 2nd 3rd Thursday of the month 10.00-12.00
  
Robyn Lukey

July's topics included:

• What is GOOGLE DRIVE.
• Creating folders in GOOGLE DRIVE
  
• & downloading data into file.
• How does the phone Calendar work.
• What is the Internet.
• Antivirus Software (Be Connected).
• Using on-line forms (Be Connected)
• Staying safe on-line.

Robyn Lukey