Smart phones and tablets are a set of technologies that we interact with mainly through the multi-touch display. These sessions cover use of devices that we use in this personal way. We explore the basics of device operation and maintenance, as well as common apps available on the devices.

Contents:

Using the iPhone

  • Description: The Apple iPhone is capable of far more than simple telephone calls and texting. It can do many of the things that you use your computer for, including email and Internet access. There is a very capable calendar to help organize your busy schedule. You can take pictures of the extraordinary events that occur during your day. Your music collection is on your phone whenever you want it. There are games to fill your free time, and there are literally hundreds of thousands of apps available to do special tasks. We will cover basic iPhone usage to ensure that you can make the best use of the device, and we will talk a bit about all that is available. We will discuss: phone calls, email, texting, the calendar and managing photographs.
  • Audience: People who are new to iPhones.
  • Duration: 6 hours in total

Using the iPad

  • Description: Steve Jobs from Apple Computers, described the iPad as providing a much more personal experience than a computer. The iPad does many of the same things that computers can do, but the touch interface, light device weight and small screen aid in making the iPad experience more “intimate” than a computer. We will discuss using the iPad as a replacement for a computer, from basic setup to protecting your privacy for shopping and banking. We will discuss: email, texting, the calendar, managing photographs as well as finding and reading eBooks, magazines and newspapers.
  • Audience: People who are new to iPads.
  • Duration: 6 hours in total

The Camera and Photos Apps on iOS (iPhones and iPads)

  • Description: iOS devices typically have two cameras, one high-resolution camera on the back, and a lower-resolution “Facetime”, or “selfie” camera on the front. We will discuss taking pictures with the camera app. We will then look at the Photos app and learn to edit and organize pictures into albums. Finally we will discuss sharing your photos and albums through iCloud.
  • Audience: Those with iPhones and/or iPads and want to take pictures.
  • Duration: 4 hours in total

Using the Email App on iOS

  • Description: Email remains the most basic of communication forms on the Internet. In this session we will discuss how email works, how to configure and use the iOS email client. We will cover reading, composing and managing your email. The various folders that you find in your email account will be discussed, including “Spam” and “Junk”. We will include some etiquette tips along the way. If you do not have an email account we will also discuss getting an account from a free service like Gmail.
  • Audience: iOS users – iPhone and iPad
  • Duration: 2 hours in total

Scheduling Yourself With Apps on iOS

  • Description: Apple phones and tablets provide apps for Calendar entries, Reminders and Clock for timing things. We will explore the use of these to see how they can help keep our schedules under control.
  • Audience: iOS users – iPhone and iPad
  • Duration: 2 hours in total

Browsing the Web with Safari on iOS

  • Description: Safari is the web browser that comes with iOS and Mac OS devices. A web browser allows us to interact with computers on the Internet to get information, and it presents the information to us in a readable form. We will discuss searching the Web, changing your search engine and saving web pages. Favourite web pages can be saved for later, and your Reading List highlights pages that you want to get to eventually. If you have more than one Apple device, your Safari settings can be synced across your devices.
  • Audience: iOS users – iPhone and iPad
  • Duration: 2 hours in total

Using Siri – Interacting With iOS Phones and Tablets Without Touch

  • Description: Siri can do lots of things a personal assistant can do, such as, get directions, send messages and make calls. With Siri you interact with the phone or tablet with your voice instead of touch. In this session we will discuss how to configure and use Siri.
  • Audience: iOS users – iPhone and iPad
  • Duration: 4 hours in total

iOS Features That Assist  With Physical Limitations

  • Description: Your iPhone and iPad have options to ease their use for people with impaired vision, hearing or motor skills. This session will explore a variety of options to make it easier for you to interact with your device and make it more useful to you.
  • Audience: iOS users (iPhone and iPad) experienced with their devices – equivalent to the Using your iPhone or iPad courses.
  • Duration: 2 hours in total

Your Library in Your Pocket With iBooks

  • Description: There are lots of free classic books available on the Internet. We will discuss the iBooks app, going through its controls and settings, and then we will find some sources for free books. Books are also available for purchase through iBooks.
  • Audience: iOS users – iPhone and iPad
  • Duration: 1 hour in total

Your Android Phone

  • Description: Google’s Android operating system is found on phones and tablets from a large number of manufacturers. Prices vary widely with the capability of the hardware components of the device. This session will compare some manufacturer models and capabilities. The Android phone can do many of the things that you use your computer for, including email and Internet access. There is a very capable calendar to help organize your busy schedule. You can take pictures of the extraordinary events that occur during your day. Your music collection is on your phone whenever you want it. There are games to fill your free time, and there are literally hundreds of thousands of apps available to do special tasks. We will cover basic Android phone usage to ensure that you can make the best use of the device and talk a bit about all that is available. We will discuss: phone calls, email, texting, the calendar and photographs.
  • Audience: New users of Android Phones
  • Duration: 6 hours in total

Your Android Tablet

  • Description:  The Android tablet does many of the same things that computers can do, but the touch interface, light device weight and small screen aid in making the Android tablet experience more “intimate” than a computer. We will discuss using the tablet as a replacement for a computer, from basic setup to protecting your privacy for shopping and banking. We will discuss: email, texting, the calendar, managing photographs, music; as well as,  reading eBooks, magazines and newspapers.
  • Audience: New users of Android Tablets
  • Duration: 6 hours in total

The Camera and Google Photos Apps on Android (Phones and Tablets)

  • Description: Many Android devices have two cameras, one high-resolution camera on the back, and a lower-resolution “selfie” camera on the front. We will discuss taking pictures with the camera app. We will then look at the Google Photos app and learn to edit and organize pictures into albums. Finally we will discuss sharing your photos and albums through Google Drive.
  • Audience: Those with Android devices who want to take and organize pictures.
  • Duration: 4 hours in total

Using the Email App on Android

  • Description: Email remains the most basic of communication forms on the Internet. In this session we will discuss how email works, how to configure and use the Gmail client for email. We will cover reading, composing and managing your email. The various folders that you find in your email account will be discussed, including “Spam” and “Junk”. We will include some etiquette tips along the way. If you do not have an email account we will also discuss getting a Gmail account.
  • Audience:Users of Android devices.
  • Duration: 2 hours in total

Scheduling Yourself With Apps on Android

  • Description: Android phones and tablets provide apps for Calendar entries, reminders in the Google app and Clock for timing things. We will explore the use of these to see how they can help keep our schedules under control.
  • Audience:Users of Android devices.
  • Duration: 2 hours in total

Browsing the Web with Chrome on Android

  • Description: Chrome is the web browser provided by Google for a variety of operating systems. It is shipped with many Android devices and available for others through the Play Store. A web browser allows us to interact with computers on the Internet to get information, and it presents the information to us in a readable form. We will discuss searching the Web, changing your search engine and saving web pages. Favourite web pages can be saved for later, and the Reading Mode makes it easier to read pages on a small screen. If you use Google Chrome on more than one device, your Chrome settings can be synced across your devices.
  • Audience: Android users – phone and tablet
  • Duration: 2 hours in total

Using Google Assistant – Interacting With Android Phones and Tablets Without Touch

  • Description: Google Assistant can do lots of things a personal assistant can do, such as, get directions, send messages and make calls. With Google Assistant you interact with the phone or tablet with your voice instead of touch. In this session we will discuss how to configure and use Google Assistant.
  • Audience:Users of Android devices.
  • Duration: 4 hours in total

Android Features That Assist  With Physical Limitations

  • Description: Your Android phone and tablet have options to ease their use for people with impaired vision, hearing or motor skills. This session will explore a variety of options to make it easier for you to interact with your device and make it more useful to you.
  • Audience:Users of Android devices (phone or tablet) experienced with their devices – equivalent to the Using your Android Phone or Tablet courses.
  • Duration: 2 hours in total