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If you’re reading this article now, and I’m hoping you are, you probably want to learn something about tech. You’re in the right place, The Wonder of Tech is all about great tech.
But there are times, dear readers, when you want some hands-on teaching to show you how tech works. Tech can be confusing at times and we all would like someone to sit down with us and show us exactly how things such as smartphones, tablets and computers work. It would be even better if that help were free.
Great news, dear readers, free help is available, perhaps right around the corner from you. I’ve been attending tech classes recently to see how they work and how they can help people learn to use tech. I learned a few things along the way, too!
Classes at Verizon Stores
Verizon contacted me to let me know about the free classes they offer at their stores about using Android phones and tablets. I signed up for two classes, Getting Started with Android and Android Advanced, both given at the Downingtown, Pennsylvania store. The classes are offered during the day and in the evening at various Verizon stores.
The Downingtown store had a separate room where the classes were given and attendees were offered food and drinks. (Drinks, as in coffee and water not as in wine and beer.) Other students who attended the class had sparkling new Android phones and for most of them it was their first smartphone.
In both the beginning and advanced classes, Bryan, the instructor, passed out written note to help us follow along with that he instructed. He also talked about accessories to go with Android phones and we were offered a discount on the accessories for attending the class.
Topics the Getting Started with Android class included:
- setting up your email and contacts
- widgets and shortcuts
- customizing your device
- maximizing your battery
- popular apps
- keeping your device safe
- tips and tricks
- account management tools
Perhaps in an acknowledgment that smartphones are really computers more than phones, the class didn’t cover how to make and receive phone calls or text messages. Bryan did cover that topic upon request.
The Android Advanced class also included a handout and covered topics such as transferring files (such as photos) to and from a computer, navigation, voice controls, memory management and searches.
Bryan offered helpful advice, such as stay away from apps in Google Play that have fewer than 3 1/2 stars. He also showed how to update apps and advised checking for updates regularly.
Bryan was very helpful, mostly because he a) knows his stuff, b) explains it well, and c) is very patient. He said that he has had students as old as 88 and as young as 10.
If you have a chance to attend one of Bryan’s classes I highly recommend that you do so.
[tip]Tech tip: you can invite people to attend events from within your Google calendar.[/tip]
If you forget what you learned in class, or want to learn more after you get home, you can refer to the handouts and check verizonwireless.com/wirelessworkshops for video tutorials of what the class covered.
Verizon also offers classes on Android apps, location services, and for individual devices such as the iPad, iPhone, Samsung Galaxy S III, LG Lucid and Samsung Nexus tablets. You can even attend a Tablet Test Drive workshop where you can try out different tablets to see which one is best for you.
Classes are offered in English and, in some locations, Spanish. Not all Verizon stores offer classes, check with your local store or at verizonwireless.com/wirelessworkshops for schedules and availability.
Classes at Apple Stores
Confounded by your iPad? Need help with your Mac? Want pointers on how to use your iPhone? Want to learn advanced tips and tricks with iPhoto? Sign up for a free class at an Apple Store. Apple offers free classes (a/k/a Workshops) on topics such as:
- Getting Started with a Mac
- iPhoto for iPad and iPhone
- OS X Mountain Lion
- Final Cut Pro X
- Getting Started with iCloud
- Going Further with iPad
To find which classes are being offered at the Apple Store near you, visit Apple’s website. You can also download the Apple Store app for free from the iTunes App Store and press the Store icon, then Workshops and Events. You will be shown which classes are available at your local store.
I attended two classes at the Apple Store in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. The first class was Getting Started with a Mac, which was taught by Christina. The class was held at a table in the middle of the store, which was a bit crowded and noisy. You can bring your own computer or use one provided by the store. (I suggest bringing your own so the instructor can help you set it up).
The class covered the basics, such as the Menu Bar, System Preferences, Spotlight searches, Notifications Center, arranging icons on the Dock, how to locate files in Finder, and more.
[tip]Tech Tip: Pressing Command + the Space Bar brings up the Spotlight search.[/tip]
Christina was extremely proficient with Macs and was able to offer helpful suggestions to everyone in the class. She visited us individually and made sure we understood what she was explaining and that our computers were set up correctly. She suggested that people with new Macs sign up for the One-to-One program that provides unlimited individual training for one year for $99.
[tip]Tech Tip: Pressing Command + Tab brings up icons for open windows.[/tip]
Christina was fun, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The class was very helpful to the students who attended, all of whom were switching from PC to Mac.
Apple One-to-One Training
I took Christina’s advice and signed up for One-to-One training. You can sign up for these individual or group training sessions using your Apple Store app or from Apple’s website. It’s helpful to include the topics you want to cover when you sign up for the session. You can sign up for a 30 or 60 minute session.
I had an hour-long One-to-One individual session with Joshua for help with Mac OS X. Joshua and I sat at a bar area that was off to the side of the Apple store so it was less crowded and noisy than the Workshop had been. Joshua helped me link my Twitter account to notifications so that I would get a pop-up notice when I’m mentioned or get a Direct Message on Twitter. He showed me shortcuts for navigation and how to adjust my settings for notifications. He also showed me tips on using Safari, such as clicking on the cloud icon in Safari to bring up web pages on the iPhone and iPad that were open on the Mac.
[tip]Tech Tip: Press the Function key twice to activate dictation features on your Mac.[/tip]
Joshua said that the One-to-One program was very popular. He had some customers who come in several times each week to get individual help.
Joshua was a great teacher and very helpful in explaining and giving suggestions about useful shortcuts.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for hands-on help with your tech, see what resources are available to you locally. Check with your Apple Store, local carrier store, library, community center or local university to see if free classes are offered to help you understand your tech.
Have you taken any tech classes? Would you like to take a class to show you how to use your tech? Do you have any helpful tech tips to share? Let us know in the Comments section below!
Not to be confused with the Upingtown, PA store, huh?
A financial planner friend of mine hosted an iPad instruction class; but the instructor wasn’t very good. However, I could certainly see the merit in a live class because just like a lot of these ‘gadgets’ there are so many more things they can do we just don’t know about.
Maybe that will be my next gig, huh?
Cross your fingers, my youngest is having his formal interview w/ us at 9:00 am; I’m expecting good results………:).
Hey Bill, No, definitely do NOT confuse the two stores unless you are looking for disastrous results… :O
Yes, the instructor can make a big difference. All three of my instructors were top-notch, they knew their stuff and explained it well. You may want to check out an Apple or Verizon store near you for classes on your iPad, Bill.
Good luck to your son, though I’m sure he will do great! :-bd
Carolyn,
I find these type classes becoming more and more valuable with rapidity of technology changes. It is a sad but true fact the moment you purchase a piece of technology it is outdated (there’s always something newer coming out) I agree with you 100% about learning as much as possible on various technology items.
I just recently started writing a blogging series on my parenting blog about mistakes I have made and what I have learned about blogging. I have been pleasantly surprised at the huge positive response I have been receiving from it (Carolyn just to let you know I am not changing formats for my blog. It is just a weekly series to hep others…lol)
I hope you continue doing some more pieces like this! I love all you share with us and find for us but I truly love when you offer and find practical applications to the technology. Now…if you could find someone to help learn about the cache widgets for WordPress in an easier to understand format I would be greatly appreciative 🙂
Aaron
Hi Aaron, Yes, you will definitely be helping people with your blogging series. Great idea!
The caching plugin I use is very complex. I was very fortunate to have the brilliant Ashvini set it up for me.
You’re right, tech is changing very rapidly. I’m glad that these classes are available for people to learn more about their tech. Sometimes hands-on help can make everything seem more clear.
Now that’s what I’m talking about Carolyn. Here they are putting out all these devices and everyone is just suppose to magically know how to use them. Usually the instruction manuals that come with new devices are just as foreign to us as the device itself.
That’s so cool that they are actually having some classes to teach you how to use your new gadget. That’s really good to know, thank you again for staying on top of things for us.
~Adrienne
Hi Adrienne, I’m glad you liked this article. You’re right, it can be confusing to try to learn a new device but these classes can make a big difference. People in the classes I took definitely understood their devices much, much better after taking the classes.
Although these classes are free, time is money so I wanted to be sure that these classes were worthy of people’s time. I’m very happy to report that these classes are well worth your time. Everyone can learn something in these classes! 🙂
Wow..I really did not know that Verizon and Apple are conducting these free sessions, looks like you really learned something there huh???
Good to know about those cool tips…you really are onto something with every post of yours, always nice to read your articles.
Hi Praveen, Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I learn tech from every possible source. I meet lots of people who apologize for not having a lot of apps on their phone because they don’t know a lot about tech. But chances are I will discover a new app from them that I didn’t know about before. Those who have very few apps on their phone tend to have the best apps because they only have apps that they really use.
Hey Carolyn
This sounds like a great service.
There’s not too many Apple stores in the UK and I think only 2 in Scotland so I don’t think I’m going to get any free training any time soon there!
The mobile phone shops over here are also usually quite small in terms of retail space, I can’t imagine they would be able to give any training in them either…
So it’s the manuals for me for now I’m afraid.
Hi Tim, Yes, if you don’t live near an Apple store, nor a Verizon store, this advice wouldn’t be very helpful. I suggest you check out the Missing Manuals series, by David Pogue and JD Biersdorfer. They are very well done and written in plain English.
I buy them as Kindle books so I can have them handy on my devices for easy reference.
They are available at Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mac-OS-Lion-Missing-Manuals/dp/1449397492/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349299029&sr=8-1
I hope this helps!
I was just reading a post where someone mentioned how technology is just too much to take in! And I would agree. There is just too much going around and it is difficult for me to play catch up with what’s happening.
I try my best with the manuals and everything the gadgets comes with but having someone explain it to you is so much better!
I would love it if someone taught it but then I am sure that I wouldn’t know what to do if my phone just hung up!
Hi Hajra, You’re right, tech can be overwhelming, but it’s increasingly part of our daily lives. The whole reason for being of The Wonder of Tech is to help people understand and keep up with tech. But sometimes hands-on instruction is helpful. These classes can help provide useful information to people in person.
I was really impressed at people who were getting their first smartphones and wanting to learn in depth how to use them.
I must admit that I’ve not been good about getting trained in how to use my laptop/iphone/tablet. I just jumped in feet first hoping that I would figure it out. And you though it was only men who don’t stop for directions! LOL!
Hi Suzanne, Lol, yes, it’s okay to ask for tech help. Often people don’t want to appear as seeming stupid, but when you’re in a class with others, maybe someone else will ask the question you’ve been wondering about yourself. Or ask a question you didn’t even think to ask!
By taking a little time to get to know your gadgets you can use them much more effectively. 🙂
Great post… I know a few people who would love to know about these classes
Hi Lorie, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m so glad you liked this post. Thank you for sharing it with your friends! 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
Learning about the Android and related tech stuff has always been a good idea,people will get to know much more about the upcoming android tech tools and apps in detail and the exposure to such stuff will surely gonna help.
But its about the time which concerns most of the people,including me.I prefer to take online classes instead of having physically present in some class.
Hi Aditya, You’re right, some people aren’t able to show up to classes or don’t want to take the time to do it. If you’re very comfortable with tech, you may not need the hands-on training that these classes provide. But for others, having someone explain tech in person may be the best way of learning it. 🙂
But i think that even tech savvy persons also need some kind of training to know the technology better Carolyn.
Hi Carolyn
I don’t have a iPhone. I use a Nokia windows phone which I set up by myself. That is the way that I prefer learn. I don’t mind a bit of one to one teaching. But attending a classroom full of people would not work for me.
Hi Paul, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m a big fan of Nokia Windows phones. They are extremely easy to use so you may not need a class at all. Some people don’t like the classroom environment, but others appreciate hearing questions they hadn’t though of, as that’s a helpful way to learn.
He’s in; he will start next week. I’m excited for him……:)
Ah, now I really know why people like Apple (the customer experience!). This is cool (Didn’t know about it though, but even if I did, I prefer exploring it own my own, takes time but works for me :D).
I wonder why only Verizon provides classes (what about other cellular phone services, mainly AT & T?)
Hi Jeevan, Yes, many people like to explore tech on their own, perhaps finding hidden features. I like to learn about tech however I can. I read about it, listen to podcasts, attend classes and learn from friends. For some people classes are the best way to learn so they can get hands-on help.
I’m not aware of any other carrier who offers these classes, but Verizon and Apple are offering a very helpful resource to those who want to learn about tech! 🙂