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
|
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
0 Comments
Our Be Connected Program has been interrupted by Lockdowns and we managed to deliver one session this month. We looked at QR coding which stands for ‘Quick Response Code’. Then we began working through a new Be Connected Unit; ‘Connecting To Others’. Hopefully we are able to keep in contact with friends and family during Lockdowns. The telephone helps you do that, but computing technology can let you see each other online (mobile phone, tablet or computer) and even have a group chat or meeting. Skype Messenger Facebook Zoom FaceTime Instagram Jenny We have been working through the unit for ‘Staying Safer Online’ and have covered:
During the units presented on the TV screen, there are videos and some interactive tasks and quizzes. There are also also discussion comments and questions encouraged to further everyone’s knowledge and confidence when using computers, laptops, tablets or smart phones. Jenny Sawyer Welcome to past Be Connected participants and to new ones for 2021. Joining the Be Connected Network was the first order of the day and it was relatively smooth computing with those signed up for previous courses helping newcomers enrol. So when logging in to the Be Connected site everyone now clicks or taps on Sign In. And enters their Email and Password. There are now 29 modules of informative computing information. We had an in depth look at Passwords. Great when you remember them and great when they work! They are necessary when you have any computing device. Our main focus over the past two months has been on Safety Online. Our last session looked at Phishing scams. Jenny Sawyer Just a reminder that Jenny isn't available to take the class on May 5th, but will be back next week!
Be Connected is being offered in 2021 for members that 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. The first sessions of Be Connected, which is held on the 1st and 2nd Wednesday from 2 to 3.30pm in the U3A meeting room will be on the 3rd and 10th March.
Jenny Sawyer 0409 545 182 News update! 'Be Connected' is be taken in 2021 by Jenny Sawyer, who takes the Beginner iPad courses and has often worked alongside Margaret Jenkins in presenting Be Connected since its inception. The 'Be Connected' course description for 2021 is -
"Attention to all members with portable computing devices, be they smart phones, tablets, iPads or laptops. Be Connected is being offered in 2021 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." Margaret Jenkins, has thoughtfully and capably implemented the Be Connected program at U3A Benalla - from making early and continuing funding submissions resulting in successful grants to taking up the challenge of presenting sessions, then semester length courses for the past few years. Thank you so much, Margaret, for your committment to providing opportunities for U3A Benalla members to gain skills and confidence in the online environment And thank you, Jenny, for being prepared to take over from Margaret in 2021! Bev Lee Tech Savvy Teaching Team Whilst we have not had face to face contact, a few members have phoned Jenny Sawyer and me with computer and phone related questions. That is fine. We are only too happy to help.
During the past few days we have been told that Be Connected has some new courses available in its Topic Library. One of these courses is related to setting up a myGov account. This account is extremely handy if you need to claim on Medicare, contact Centrelink or the Australian Tax Office, find out about My Aged Care or use My Health Record. To access myGov you need an Email address and a mobile phone number. The myGov course takes you through registration, the benefits that are available through registration and how to access the various Government departments. In your browser put www.beconnected.esafety.gov.au Then Sign In on the top right hand side. Go to the Topic Library where you will see All Topics and New Topics. Tap on New topics and then the myGov section. If you cannot sign in for any reason, you can still access the myGov part of the Topic Library. It is a useful tool. Hope you find it useful too. Margaret Jenkins The value of our Be Connected Drop In sessions has been really emphasised with the need for us all to use our computers and devices so extensively during this COVID-19 lockdown.
Now we are starting to regain normality, but only slowly at the moment. We are going to have to wait until the Benalla Rural City Council opens the Seniors Building before we get back to face to face classes. It has been suggested that two Be Connected groups might be worthwhile when we return. The first group are our U3A Benalla members who have developed basic skills in using their device, but want to expand their knowledge and be able to do more things on them. They have seen the benefit of using Skype, WhatsApp and Face Time and perhaps have started using Zoom for communicating with family. The second group are those U3A members and others in the Community who have yet to acquire digital skills. Some of these people have heard about U3A digital classes for beginners run by Jenny Sawyer and have indicated that want to join them when face to face groups recommence. So at the moment, look after yourselves and we hope we can resume U3A Be Connected again soon. Margaret Jenkins The value of being able to use our tablet, iPad and computer during this time of isolation is very important. We hope you are using Email to keep in contact with friends and relatives.
There are also programs such as Skype and Face Time which we have covered as part of the Be Connected program previously. The value of using these programs now is enormous. Refresh your involvement with these programs by looking up www.beconnected.esafety.gov.au and then going to the Topic Library and scrolling down to find the Learning Module you are looking for. Connecting to Others is the Module which takes you through Skype, WhatsApp and how to use Face Time. We look forward to continuing our online journey when U3A resumes face to face classes. Margaret Jenkins During the first Be Connected session for March we introduced our members to the Be Connected website at www.beconnected.esafety.gov.au In particular we went to the Topic Library where all the various modules of the Be Connected program are outlined.
As there had recently been an eSafety Day for Be Connected we concentrated on the Safety First Module which included Safe Passwords and Paying Safely on line. The benefit of this Drop-In session is that members who come to this session often get one on one support for whatever problem they are having with their device. In the second session Dorothy Webber showed participants how to use Online shopping as well as helping with keeping contact lists for phone contacts. From 21 March 2020 due to COVID-19 U3A Benalla groups will not be meeting until the second Semester. You will all receive Email notification when groups can recommence. Margaret Jenkins & Bill Parris Over 40 members and friends of U3A attended our Pizza night held on Wednesday 26th February in the U3A room. We all enjoyed pizza and the delicious salads as well as the chocolate cake which followed. The evening was sponsored by the Be Connected program which is run for the Federal Government.
During the evening we took the opportunity to tell our members about the Be Connected Drop In program which commenced in February 2020 with sessions on the first and third Monday mornings at 10am. The members who have attended these sessions are interested in expanding their computer skills to keep pace with the many communications that are available on the internet. People who have few computer skills are also encouraged to come along. U3A Benalla has a small number of mobile devices which are available to lend to members to get them started if they do not have a tablet or iPad of their own. We are using the Be Connected modules as a guide to help our learners. Following the Pizza night we had a session on Safety first which included safe passwords and paying safely on line. Everyone seemed to appreciate the excellent words of advice that the module provided. The module is available under the Topic Library on www.beconnected.esafety.gov.au for those who would like to look it up. The next session of Be Connected will be on Monday 16th March 2020 at 10am. All welcome. Margaret Jenkins Three sessions of were held in January as part of U3A Benalla's Summer School.
Our first session was about the Vic Emergency App. This was in response to the emergency situations facing many Victorians as bushfires raged in the North East and surrounds. Participants downloaded the app and created a watch zone to receive warnings and notifications. In the second session we expanded our knowledge about Apps learning how to install Apps, move their icons about on our devices and how to delete them. In our last session we had a lot of fun looking at games on the Be Connected Topic library. These included crosswords, easy threesy, great minds, memory game and spot the difference. Whilst these games are designed for a laptop or desk computer Be Connected are also bringing them to mobile devices in the near future. In this session we also looked at downloading the Words with Friends App and learning how to move the letters around. All these games are great to while away some time and keep our brains active when it is too hot to be outside in the heat. Overall the Be Connected Summer School was enjoyed by the participants. Members are reminded of the Tech Savvy Apple Devices Courses for Beginners and Intermediates and also of the Be Connected-Drop In Course all of which commence in February Convenors: Jenny Sawyer and Margaret Jenkins The U3A room (with NBN Wi Fi) and rostered 'Be Connected' mentors will be available to assist U3A members who would like some help with their device. There will usually be a 'theme' for the session; members will be encouraged to use Be Connected* modules and the course will evolve according to needs.
Days: 1st & 3rd Monday Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 noon Place: U3A Meeting Room Contact: Margaret Jenkins 57627944 and Bill Parris 0417 329 278 *Be Connected is an Australian Government initiative targeting people over 55 years comprising online learning modules which help to make the most out of being online. Attention to all members with portable computing devices
During the summer break, there will be continuing Tech Savvy Be Connected sessions. Whether or not you attended previous sessions last semester, you are welcome to bring your portable devices to extend your computing knowledge and skills.. Dates - January Tuesday 7th, 14th, 21st Time - 10:00am - 11:00am Place - U3A Room Seniors Building Contact - Margaret Jenkins 5762 6944 Jenny Sawyer 0409 545 182 Be Connected 2019 - 'It has been so pleasing that we have seen participants' skills develop'25/10/2019 The highlight of October 2019 was the Get Online Week lunch held in the U3A room on Wednesday 16 October. About 50 U3A members and others attended and enjoyed the BBQ cooked by the Benalla Lions Club in the U3A entrance area. We were pleased that the numbers attending this BBQ were substantially up on the first BBQ held in July, so obviously the sausages and hamburgers together with coleslaw and bread provided was enjoyed by all. During the lunch we had vocal entertainment provided by David Palmer with Neville Gibb accompanying him on the piano. Later we used the overhead projector to outline several aspects of what can be looked up on line. These included finding out about the NBN, any health aspects that interest us and managing money. We also had a discussion on the breadth of the Be Connected Program and a demonstration of two of the modules which showed the various buttons on a tablet and their uses and setting up PIN and fingerprint identification on our device. Full sessions of Be Connected have continued during each Wednesday of October. This month we have looked at On Line Hobbies such as Researching family history, exploring Google Earth and using on line journals or Blogs. We have also navigated looking up the train timetable from Benalla to Melbourne as well as taking photos with our devices. This series of Be Connected is finishing at the end of October. It has been pleasing that so many of the participants have come each week and we have seen their skills develop during the four months that we have run Be Connected. I would like to sincerely thank the Mentors who have come each week to help participants – without them the participants would not have made as much progress as they have. Thank you Jenny Sawyer, Lin Ryan, Pat Treleaven, Dorothy Webber and Geraldine McCorkell. A Summer Series of Be Connected is planned for Tuesday 7th, 14th and 21st January 2020 at 10am. Any U3A member is welcome to attend. We will be catering for both iPad and Android users.
Margaret Jenkins Much progress has occurred with our Be Connected program during September. The modules we have looked at include information on Wi-Fi networks, Safety First Skills On Line and more On-line skills including Shopping On-line. We have also gone over how to send Emails to multiple people including the use of cc and bcc where appropriate.
One week during September we welcomed our U3A President Dorothy Webber as a Guest Presenter to Be Connected. Dorothy gave a great presentation on the benefits of Facebook, and shared some of her Facebook skills with the Be Connected members. Thank you Dorothy. During September we have had a couple of new U3A members join our group which is great. One of the benefits of the Be Connected program is that members can access it at home and go over anything which they have missed or are slightly unsure about. On Wednesday 16th October 2019 we are holding a BBQ lunch in our U3A room at 12 noon. This is open to all members of the Benalla community over 55 years of age as part of an Australia wide Get OnLine Week. U3A Benalla has received a Grant from the Good Things Foundation who organise Be Connected for running the BBQ. After the BBQ we will demonstrate the range of the Be Connected program and share a couple of worthwhile online skills. All welcome. Margaret Jenkins During August as a group we have made considerable progress with our Be Connected Course.
We have been looking at the module Getting Started Online and have covered segments on Using the Internet, Using Email, Using search engines and an Introduction to Internet Safety. We have also taken a photograph with our devices and sent it to a family member. Later in the month we looked at All About Apps and we all downloaded the ABC iView app onto our devices. One encouraging aspect of the group is the way everyone is coming each week. We all understand that we are not going to retain everything that is presented each week. However, by constantly coming each Wednesday afternoon we are all making considerable improvement to our computer skills. Margaret Jenkins U3A Benalla welcomed thirty-four people to the BBQ held on Wednesday 3rd July to mark the beginning of the Be Connected course. Cooking for the BBQ was capably done by Benalla Lions Club in the carport near our U3A entrance. Those who came to the BBQ enjoyed sausages, beef or chicken hamburgers, fried onions with various sauces and cold slaw followed by tea or coffee and small cakes. Everyone settled in the U3A room to enjoy their lunch with plenty of chatter and a great atmosphere. We had Meg from the Benalla “Ensign” there with her camera, and a good report of the event appeared in the “Ensign” the following Wednesday.
The Be Connected course is being promoted by the Federal Government in an aim to get more senior Australians familiar with the Internet and doing things online. U3A Benalla applied for and received a Community Engagement Grant to hold the BBQ on 3rd July. The BBQ was to encourage not only U3A members but all people over 55 in Benalla to come and be part of the Be Connected program. U3A Benalla is conducting the Be Connected course using the overhead projector in our U3A room every Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm. We are fortunate to have five mentors who are helping the participants get online and find on their devices what is being shown on the overhead projector. Originally the course was aimed at those people who had Android Tablets. Lin Ryan, Dorothy Webber and Geraldine McCorkell kindly offered to help these people. However, about a third of the participants have Apple iPads so we have Pat Treleaven and Jenny Sawyer on board to assist those individuals who have Apple iPads. During July we have looked at two online learning modules. The first one was “The Absolute Basics” which included information on what is a tablet. The next Wednesday we studied “Getting Started Online” which talked about using the Internet and getting around online. The next topic is Email, which is a great means of communicating with family and friends. Be Connected is running every Wednesday at 2pm, so if you want to pick up some helpful tips to help you online, come along. Margaret Jenkins We held the final ‘Be Connected’ session on 30th January. The ‘Be Connected’ sessions
ran for six months, which included a one month Summer School. Our total registration of participants reached just over 30. The ‘Be Connected’ website offers a wide variety of information on using computing devices and the internet and is aimed at helping older Australians better understand how to use their computing devices; be it a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet or a mobile phone. Even though the Course offered through Benalla U3A has finished, the website still remains available to all to continue honing their computing skills. Jenny Sawyer
Our ‘Drop In’ sessions for members keen to finish additional ‘Be Connected’ modules with support from our mentors continued in November with most participants now confident of being able to draw upon Be Connected modules to meet future learning needs.
Be Connected is continuing in January next year as a ‘summer school’ on Wednesdays 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th January from 10 to 11am, with each session followed by a catch up coffee and chat. Come along to work on Be Connected modules with support from Jenny Sawyer and mentors. We would like to thank Jenny Sawyer for delivering Be Connected and the upcoming Summer School. Jenny’s enthusiasm knows no bounds! We would also like to thank Margaret Jenkins for her work in accessing funding via the Be Connected program, monitoring progress and results and assisting Jenny with report backs to Be Connected. These funds have been put to excellent use in enabling our office and meeting room computers to be updated. Margaret’s work on the Benalla Age Friendly committee has also resulted in three new iPads which will be made available to members in next January’s summer school. Thanks also to the ‘Be Connected’ mentors, Marg Jenkins, Helen Jeffree, Pat Treleaven and Margaret Walshe and – last but not least - thanks to ‘Be Connected’ participants for their interest, patience and preparedness to help each other out. Bev Lee In early October a number of ‘Be Connected’ participants attended our drop in session to work on their modules. On October 17th, it was time to celebrate ‘Be Connected’s ‘Get on Line Week’. The theme was #try1thing . Our President, Dorothy, led the activity, describing how she had learnt to use her phone as a credit card when shopping using a new app. Dorothy then helped people install the app on their phones for possible future use. Dorothy seemed very comfortable teaching tech savvy to beginners– we are keeping this in mind for future guest spots! This was followed by a delicious afternoon tea and a group photo... ‘During Be Connected's 'Get On Line' Week activity everyone was encouraged to '#try1thing. Bev Lee This week is Be Connected's 'Get On-Line Week' and everyone is being encouraged to '#try1thing'.
To celebrate 'Get On Line' week in Benalla, our Be Connected session on Wednesday 17th from 1.30 pm will include a celebratory 'Show and Tell'. Our President, Dorothy, is very excited at having '#tried1thing' recently, adding her credit card to her mobile phone so she can use it when making transactions. Dorothy is going to share with us how she learnt to do this. Bring along your mobiles and tablets! There'll be a delicious afternoon tea followed by a photo - and if time a chance to work on 'Be Connected' on line learning modules assisted by our mentors. All welcome. This month we used the Be Connected website learning modules to learn about data and connecting to others through Apps such as Whatsapp and Skype.
We did learn that Whatsapp can only be installed onto a mobile phone; not a tablet! September was the last scheduled session specifically for Android users. We now invite both Apple and Android users to attend our follow up sessions with Bev Lee ( same time and place: 1:30 - 3:30pm )
This will give registered learners a chance to hone in on particular areas they still would like help with, ie. Searching online, Emailing, Downloading Apps, Using the cameras, Connecting online, and more.................. Happy computing to all Be Connected participants. Jenny Sawyer |
'Be Connected'Attention all members with portable computing devices, be they smart phones, tablets, iPads or laptops. Benalla's Be Connected* courses are offered to members who would like to broaden their computing knowledge and increase their confidence using their smart phones, tablets, iPads and laptops. 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. Tech AdviceJenny Sawyer (Apple)
0409 545 182 Robyn Lukey (Android)
0403 164 931 Tech Advice venueSeniors Community Centre, 18 Fawckner Drive, U3A Room 2
Get Online WeekBe Connected also celebrates 'Get on Line Week' in October - usually at Meet and Mingle and involving lunch on the 'balcony' looking towards the lake.
Managing Money On-line Our 'Be Connected - Managing Money Online' course in Semester 1 2023 used Be Connected Modules to explore banking online - paying bills, setting up a banking app, using the bank website, checking balances and statements and transferring money. We also looked at PayPal and making online purchases. This course may be offered again in future.
LinksArchives
January 2024
|
Developed and maintained by members, this website showcases U3A Benalla & District.
Photographs - U3A members; Benalla Art Gallery website; Weebly 'Free' images;Travel Victoria and State Library of Victoria
|