Getting to Grips with Technology
This group aims to assist U3A members with their Technological devices by providing members with “hands-on” help needed to understand, purchase and use Technology in common use both now and in the future. The list of Technology devices is endless, but the group hopes to provide assistance in areas requested by the group members.
If you would like to find out more, please email:
Free Digital Courses with Learn My Way at Worcestershire Libraries
We are excited to introduce Learn My Way, a free digital skills learning programme, provided by Good Things Foundation, which offers a variety of self-led courses that can be accessed on a mobile, tablet or computer. Courses range from beginner sessions on using a device, searching the internet and staying safe online, to digital job searching, spending money online, managing health online and working with office programmes.
Anyone looking for support to get started on Learn My Way can either attend one of the introductory sessions being offered in libraries or simply visit their local library and ask staff for help to sign up. Learn My Way sessions can be accessed using a customer’s own device or on a library computer.
Additionally, Worcestershire Libraries have partnered with Adult Learning Worcestershire to offer Learn My Way tutor-led courses. These structured courses will begin in June at Redditch Library (fully booked), Droitwich Library, and The Hive, with more locations coming soon based on demand.
Forthcoming Courses:
GTGW Technology Programme - 2021
| NOTE | Meetings are now pop up sessions, see above. |
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Friday Feb 5th |
Topic: Video Meetings – the options. Aim: To explore the different video apps available on Apple & Windows/Android. |
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Friday Feb 19th |
Topic: Watching Zoom on TV’s and Improving Zoom Sound Quality Aim: To improve the comfort & quality of our video meetings. |
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Friday Mar 5th 2 Sessions |
Topic: Introduction to Chromebooks & equivalent Cloudready devices. Aim: What are Chromebooks & their uses.. Topic: What’s new in Apple. Aim: New developments in Apple. |
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Friday Mar 19th |
Topic: Apple iMovie & free Video Editor. Aim: to enable members to produce video clips. |
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Friday (new) April 16th |
Topic: Personal Security, Scam prevention & On-line Security. Aim: to provide advice on how to prevent being scammed or having your identity stolen. |
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Friday May 7th |
Topic: System Maintenance, Security, Cookies & settings on devices. Aim: to improve performance on devices with in built features that aren’t always easy to find. |
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Friday June 4th |
Topic: Home Security with Ring devices. Aim: an introduction to Ring security cameras & recordings. Note: Other makes will be covered. |
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Friday July 2nd |
Topic: Social Media – Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, Twitter etc. Aim: to give an overview of the most popular social media apps that are in use. |
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August |
No meeting |
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Friday Sept 3rd |
Topic: Upgrading old devices. Aim: to prolong the life of old PC’s by installing free open-source operating systems like Ubuntu & Cloudready. Note: Not available for Apple devices. |
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Friday Oct 1st |
Topic: TV Streaming & Smart Speakers. Aim: to investigate on-line TV Streaming apps & devices that give extra viewing choice. Also to explore Smart Speakers like Amazon Echo & Google Home max. |
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Friday Nov 5th |
Topic: Members’ Slideshows, Videos & Presentations. Aim: to show members’ activities during 2021 in different formats. |
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Friday Dec 3rd |
QUIZ |
GTGW Technology Programme - 2020
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Friday Jan 3rd |
Topic: Apple & Windows: The difference. Aim: To explore the differences between the two most popular Personal Computers. |
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Friday Feb 7th |
Topic: Apple & Windows 10 Part 1. Aim: an in-depth introduction to the basics of devices running Apple & Windows 10. Note: there will be separate sessions for members with Apple & Windows 10 devices. |
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Friday Mar 6th |
Topic: Apple & Windows 10 Part 2. Aim: To continue on from last month with more advanced exploration of Apple & Windows 10. Note: there will be separate sessions for members with Apple & Windows 10 devices. |
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Friday April 3rd |
Topic: Getting to grips with Emails. Aim: A practical introduction to Apple Mail & Microsoft Windows Mail & Outlook. Note: there will be separate sessions for members with Apple & Microsoft. |
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Friday May 1st |
Topic: Apple iWork & Microsoft Office. Aim: A basic introduction to Apple & Microsoft’s Office Suites of Applications. Note: there will be separate sessions for Apple iWork & Microsoft Office. |
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Friday June 5th |
Topic: Getting to grips with Spreadsheets. Aim: A practical introduction to Apple Numbers & Microsoft Excel. Note: there will be separate sessions for members with Apple & Microsoft. Bring devices. |
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Friday July 3rd |
Topic: Getting to grips with Presentations. Aim: A practical introduction to Apple Keynote & Microsoft PowerPoint. Note: there will be separate sessions for members with Apple & Microsoft. Bring devices. |
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Friday Aug 7th |
NO MEETING |
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Friday Sept 4th |
Topic: Members’ Questions & Answers. Aim: To try to answer previously emailed questions from members. Members & the GTGWT team to investigate further if required. |
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Friday Oct 2nd |
Topic: Photos & Video Aim: To store and present members’ Photos & Videos on Apple devices, Android phones & Windows 10. Note: there will be separate sessions for members with Apple, Android & Windows. Bring devices. |
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Friday Nov 6th |
Topic: Members’ Presentations. Aim: a chance for members to show their new found skills from previous session. |
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Friday Dec 4th |
Topic: Next Years’ Programme & Quiz. Followed by drinks & mince-pies |
GTGW Technology Programme - 2019
| Friday Jan 4th |
Topic: Windows 10 & Apple IOS. Aim: An overview of the latest operating systems. Separate sessions for Microsoft & Apple. This will be a practical session, so bring your own relevant devices.
From the meeting: Windows 10 Basics |
| Friday Feb 1st |
Topic: Problem-solving & clean-up. Aim: to enable members to problem solve, clean-up & clear cookies on their devices. Bring your own relevant devices. |
| Friday Mar 1st |
Topic: Smartphones and getting apps. Aim: to understand & use smartphones. Separate sessions for Android & Apple. (Hint: Android phones don’t have an Apple symbol on them). |
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In two separate sessions on two separate days
Friday April 5th only for Apple iPhone, iPad, Mac
Friday April 12th only for Android phones and PCs |
Topic: To create a photo slideshow & short video on DVD or YouTube. Aim: to enable members to produce a slideshow & short video on disc or YouTube. This will be a practical session, so bring your own relevant devices. |
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Friday May 17th Change of Date |
Topic: Members slideshows & videos. Aim: to enjoy members’ attempts at producing their slideshows & videos. |
| Friday June 7th |
Topic: Music apps, Podcasts, Blogs & e-books. Aim: to investigate how to enjoy music apps & other web-based apps. |
| Friday July 5th |
Topic: eBay, Facebook & Messenger. Aim: a practical guide to managing these popular websites / apps. |
| Friday Aug 2nd |
No meeting. |
| Friday Sept 6th |
Topic: PowerPoint, Excel & Libre Office. Aim: to give members a practical introduction to these useful applications. |
| Friday Oct 4th |
Topic: Members presentations. Aim: a chance for members to show what they learnt from last month’s session. |
| Friday Nov 1st |
Topic: Energy saving & Smart meters. Aim: to explore the products available, the jargon & their use in saving energy. |
| Friday Dec 6th |
A Quiz to test your “new found” skills! Followed by drinks & mince-pies. |
GTGW Technology Programme - 2017
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Friday 6th January |
Photo Editing with Mike Morris |
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Friday 3rd February |
Video Calling using Skype and Facetime including practical demonstrations |
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Friday 3rd March |
Cloud Storage including Microsoft, Apple, Google & Dropbox |
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Friday 7th April |
Computer Maintenance, Anti-virus, Passwords, Cookies & Email Scams. |
GTGW Technology Programme - 2016
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Friday 15th January |
Connecting to the Internet Introduction & use of Smartphones |
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Friday 5th February |
Apps on Smartphones (continued) Introduction & use of Android Tablets & Apple iPads |
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Friday 4th March |
Using the Internet to browse, download, search & buying Popular Web Sites e.g eBay, Youtube, Facebook etc. |
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Friday 1st April |
Digital Photography & Video basics What to do with Digital Photos & Videos |
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Friday 6th May |
Basics of Windows Laptops & Apple MacBooks |
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Friday 3rd June |
Basic cleanup on Windows & Apple Devices What is Cloud Storage & how to use it |
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Friday 1st July |
Talk on Cyber Security Awareness given by Blacklight Intelligence sponsored by West Mercia Police. |
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Friday 2nd September |
Introduction to Windows 10 and the how's and why's of upgrading to Windows 10. Smartphone Apps continued, including Viewranger GPS, Whatsapp, Skype. |
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Friday 7th October |
"All about TV" including Freeview adaptors, TV recorders, SmartTVs, Freeview TV, Satelite & Cable TV ( Sky & Virgin Media). Also Internet TV boxes like Now TV & Internet TV apps like Netflix. |
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Friday 4th November |
An Introduction to Word Processing using Microsoft Word & Apple Pages. An open forum on mobile apps. |
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Friday 2nd December |
A refresh of Word Processing with "how to make greetings cards" An Introduction to Spreadsheets |