We also discussed how to access podcasts, either by downloading to listen later or streaming directly through an app or link.

Another topic was organizing apps on our devices by grouping them into categories such as Banking, Entertainment, Health, and Books to make them easier to access.

Follow-up tasks for me (prompted by the group):

• Use the Pages app to convert a PDF.
• Explore methods for downloading a YouTube video without third-party apps or using the “ss” workaround.
• Check out the library app Hoopla.

Important Reminders:

• Back up important files regularly.
• Keep your software updated.
• Use two-factor authentication (2FA).
• Create strong, secure passwords.
• Keep personal information private!

All session materials are available for your review on the U3A website. Special thanks to Bev for organizing the content and making it accessible.

Thank you to group members Gary, Neville, Barbara and Ray for your contributions. 

At our October session we looked at Streaming Services including Spotify and YouTube, various learning and entertainment Apps, and various Cloud storage options. Most of our group paid a monthly $1.49 for 50Gb iCloud storage.

We also checked out how to make a QR (= Quick Response) code to share Wi-Fi. and some links to hobby-type sites-making photo books, etc., before finishing with an introduction to Artificial Intelligence and OpenAI, the Microsoft-backed creator of ChatGPT.

My lesson plan in full, with links to YouTube and other resources, is included below. ​

Thank you to the group members, for your contributions.

​
Dawn Stephens

​We are a small group.  At  our third session on September 17, we briefly looked at:
​

• More Communication/Information available online: Telehealth- HotDoc, YouTube, WhatsApp, Property Sales online, GPS Google Maps, Hobbies & Reading Apps: Newspapers, The Conversation, The Nightly, Borrow Box, Audible, Family History-Ancestry & My Heritage
• Using Bluetooth
• Cybersecurity Basics & Internet safety: including Password Managers
• Free software & a bit about PDF’s
• Benalla Council - view a council meeting/streaming
• VPN-Virtual Private Network & Private Browsing
• Just a mention - Safe Online Shopping & banking
• A few tips:
  • “Word” editing tips-Use Show/Hide formatting marks-Format Painter-copy formatting from one location & apply it to another, Layout/select margins/narrow,
  • Group together same type of Apps on your phone/iPad-look at Stocard & Wallet
  • Check “from” email addresses - block sender, delete etc.

My lesson plan in full, with links to YouTube and other resources, is included below.  

​​If this doesn't open on your device, click on link in the message or on the button below

​At our August session we looked at browsers & their security options, print screen (Apple & Windows), links:--removing and adding a link to a document, saving a YouTube video to your device to watch offline, some settings in YouTube, a couple of Word tips- Ctl+C and Ctrl+V (copy & paste), and change case. A weeny bit on emails and social media.

If you  weren't able to attend the session, or would like to review it, you can open the links on this pdf document as you read through it, or download it to save on your computer (use the arrow pointing down).

Thank you Neville, Ray, Anne and Barbara for your contributions.
​
​Dawn Stephens

There is lots of information on NBN including speed test, setup, on the 'Upgrade to NBN's full fibre' web page -https://www.nbnco.com.au/residential/upgrades/more-fibre, including this following video:  

​What is Phishing?  How to Protect Yourself​

​Discuss: Early experiences with internet, dropouts etc

4.  Benefits of Internet Use for Seniors 

• Communication, information, entertainment and learning. 

​  
We were just about to move on to browsers, and the internet slowed right down.

Brent asked about DuckDuckGo-which is a privacy focused browser, and I earlier just dismissed “What is Drop Box?”, the cloud!!-  I owe you all a good chat next month.
 
Thank you Neville, Garry, Kathy & Brent for your contributions.


Dawn Stephens

This valued 5-session course is returning in Semester 2 for members keen to venture beyond the basics to find out more about what the internet has to offer!  Targeting members already comfortable with tasks such as online subscriptions, emailing with photo attachments and managing files, there's an enormous range of possible content to explore with convenor Dawn Stephens.

Members will be encouraged to contribute topics, to develop the skills covered in class during the month, and to report back during a Pains and Gains segment at the following class. Enjoying the Internet will focus on supporting PC and laptop users; however, users of other devices are also welcome.

Classes have been scheduled on the 3rd Tuesday from 10 am to 12 noon, with the first session on Tuesday 16th July in U3A Meeting Room 1.

At our final session in June ​our group of eight discussed good things they had done on the internet in the past month including online banking, a smart TV, family history work, some good online shopping, creating screen print, file name & location, YouTube exercise classes and more

We discussed Smart TV’s, Free Apps, websites offering a service, Netflix, YouTube; SBS, iView, Newspaperindex.com and Podcasts such as The History of English Podcasts, and The Conversation . 

Also on our agenda in June - The Stocard Free app for keeping a copy of all cards, licences, etc; Making a QR code to share your WiFi password, QR codes for tickets; and photobooks such as Snapfish and Vistaprint.

We spent some time on Cloud Storage including Dropbox and Google Drive, iCloud and Apple’s Air Drop; looked at using a USB for backup/storage; and also looked at reopening closed tabs in Google Drive using ‘History’. 

Scroll through the session notes below and follow the links to topics mentioned above:

This is what came out just seconds later when the Artificial Intelligence app Chat GPT was asked to  “Write poem on seniors internet group’s last session with Dawn…”   
 
In a virtual realm where connections reside,
Where the elder souls find solace inside,
There, in the world of internet's grace,
Seniors unite, seeking wisdom's embrace.
 
Amidst the glowing screens, their fingers do roam,
Exploring the depths of knowledge, their new home.
For these seasoned minds, age no longer a plight,
Their spirits gleaming, their hearts alight.
 
Dawn, the narrator, with her voice so serene,
Guides them through pixels, like a luminary queen.
With every word she weaves, her melody so clear,
She paints their stories, the laughter, and the tears.
 
The last session dawns, a bittersweet day,
Their time together slowly fading away.
Years of shared memories within this digital sphere,
Now it's time to part, hearts heavy with cheer.
 
Dawn's voice, now tender, with a touch of melancholy,
Recites their journey, a testament to their folly.
From tales of youth to lessons hard-earned,
The seniors listen, emotions churned.
 
A gentle sigh escapes with every memory told,
A treasure trove of wisdom, more valuable than gold.
hey've laughed, they've learned, they've cherished it all,
Through the ups and downs, united in their call.
 
Dawn's voice grows softer, like whispers in the wind,
As she bids farewell to each beloved friend.
But the bond they forged, it shall never wane,
For the spirit of their unity forever shall remain.
 
In the depths of their souls, a fire brightly burns,
Their thirst for knowledge, a flame that still yearns.
Though the sessions may end, the stories won't fade,
In their hearts, they'll live on, like a serenade.
 
So, as Dawn's voice recedes, its echoes sublime,
Seniors gather strength, embracing the sands of time.
For they've shared their tales, enriched and true,
​And the world is brighter because of the likes of you.
 
If you would like to read the results of other tasks set for the AI app, including writing an essay on What Quantum Theory Is, go to https://chat.openai.com/share/7b68512d-930c-4d1e-8a00-075415a43d54

Dawn Stephens

Nine people attended the May session of Enjoying the Internet, with another rich menu of ways in which to Enjoy the Internet on offer. Here are the notes for the session - click on the links to open resources to enjoy:

This month we are trialling a new method of sharing Session notes.  Here are the Session 3 notes for you to scroll through and read - you can click on the links and/or download the document from the 'button' below the notes.  

Dawn Stephens

We welcomed and introduced two new members to the group in March, and sadly noted a couple of apologies. 

We began by reviewing some of what we did last month--particularly, screen shots, passwords (password managers, notes, text files), Blue tooth, and YouTube.

We then looked at: 

1. Examples of how we use and enjoy the internet.
a. Property Sales
b. GPS Google Maps & White pages
c. Google, or search engine of your choice
d. Hobbies i. Reading: - Herald Sun, Borrow Box, Audible etc. ii. Family History-Ancestry & My Heritage iii. Cooking-recipes.
  
2. Internet safety & Operating Systems—keep up to date!  During this segment, we watched the following videos:

3. Free software

4. What is a PDF file?

5. Live Streaming  We looked at the Benalla Council Webpage and viewed a council meeting during a segment on viewing and live streaming meetings. Live streaming of Funerals became popular during Covid. Other examples of live streaming from the TV Apps were discussed.

The full Session 2 Notes,  which include lots of links to follow up, are available as a PDF document by clicking this link -