Very First Computer Class (PC)
This is where you start. You are welcome even if you have never touched a computer or a typewriter. It is the best opportunity anywhere to learn the basics of email and the Internet. You will learn the mouse tool, along with the keyboard and the desktop. Games and simple exercises will be used for emphasis. All questions will be patiently answered for the benefit of the entire class. When you complete this class, you will be ready to move to our Intermediate Computer class.
No Prerequisites
Text: PCs Simplified, Elaine Marmet
ISBN: 978-0-470-88847-6
Instructor: Don Patman
Dates: Mondays, Jan 23 – March 12
Time: 8:30 – 10:30 am
Beginning Photoshop
Elements I (PC)
Adobe Photoshop Elements is one of the most versatile image enhancement photo programs available today. First you will learn how to use the Adobe Organizer Program. This will get those picture files in a logical retrievable order. We will enhance those pictures with hands-on use of the many quick fix options available. Learning about resolution will help you email or prepare pictures for right size prints.
Prerequisite: Very First Computer Class
Instructor: Harold Drab
Dates: Mondays, Jan 23 – March 12
Time: 10:45 am – 12:45 pm
OLLI Computer User Group (PC/Mac)
Free to all OLLI members
Presentations this term will include using a computer to help you be a better driver, taking great vacation pictures, turning pictures into presents, computer security, brain exercises (using a computer, of course) and more. Come to the first part of the meeting and hear a short presentation led by lab instructors and others. There will be time to ask questions and exchange information. Sessions will be limited to 15 people, and seating will be first come, first served. Watch the video announcement board in the hall for the week’s presentation or discussion topic.
Prerequisite: An interest in computers and how they can enhance your life.
Instructors: Computer Lab
Instructors
Dates: Mondays,
January 23 – March 12
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Intermediate Computer (PC)
You’ll learn and practice these basic computer skills: save, print, cut and paste, drag and drop, how to delete an item, make a file or folder, and how to manage the windows on your desktop. You’ll also learn the basics of email, including how to send and receive messages, how to attach documents and open documents that have been sent to you. The Internet section will include how to find Websites, as well as Internet safety tips. You’ll also take a quick look at a word processing program, so you will be able to easily create your own documents, and even insert photos.
Prerequisite: Very First Computer class.
Text: Handouts
Instructors: Computer Lab Instructors
Dates: Mondays, Jan 23 – March 12
Time: 3:15 – 5:15 pm
Going Online to Shop and Get Ready to Travel (PC/Mac)
Love it or hate it, you have to shop, and more and more people are doing it sitting at their computers instead of heading to the mall. Whether you’re looking for bargains or for that special item you can’t find in the local stores, learn how to look for what you want, how to comparison shop online, how to order and how to pay for it. Travelers, both armchair and otherwise, will see how to compare and select transportation and lodging, where to find travel guides and blogs, get travel insurance.
Prerequisite: Basic PC or Mac skills.
Text: Handouts
Instructor: Kathy Winkenwerder
Dates: Tuesdays, Jan 24 – March 13
Time: 8:30 – 10:30 am
Beginning Photoshop
Elements – Part II (PC)
This continuation of the Beginning Photoshop Elements class emphasizes basic editing concepts using the tools in the full editor. You will practice modifying the images, using all the selection tools and some of the filters. Lighting and color improvement will be covered. You’ll also get an introduction to layers and styles, plus retouching the restoring old photos.
Prerequisite: Beginning Photoshop Elements I or instructor’s permission
Text: Information available the first day of class.
Instructor: Harold Drab
Dates: Tuesdays, Jan 24 – March 13
Time: 10:45 am – 12:45 pm
Photoshop Elements 8 (Mac)
You’ve taken what you think is a great picture with your digital camera, but the horizon is a little tilted, some of the people in it have glowing red eyes, or that group of people is clustered in one corner of the shot. Learn how to straighten the horizon, get rid of red eye, crop the photo and other simple editing techniques such as whitening teeth and completely removing people from the photo. See how to enhance color and detail, apply filters and scan old photos. You’ll learn how to easily move your pictures out of the camera, into your computer and onto CDs.
Prerequisite: Basic Mac skills.
Text: Information available the first day of class.
Instructor: Barbara Kaye Cooper
Dates: Tuesdays, Jan 24 – March 13
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Exploring the iPad (PC/Mac)
Here’s your chance to join the exciting iPad revolution. Get acquainted with iPad features and apps, and see how to play music, buy those apps, browse the Web, do email and watch videos and movies. See how to use the iPad as an eReader and prepare documents using iWorks for word processing, spreadsheets and presentations. We will also show you what to look for if you are thinking about buying an iPad or other tablet. Several iPads will be available in the classroom. Students who have iPads are encouraged to bring them to each class.
Prerequisite: You are interested in an iPad or already have one.
Instructor: Con Rader
Dates: Tuesdays, Jan 24 – March 13
Time: 3:15 – 5:15 pm
Word 2010 (PC)
Did you buy a new PC in the last year or so, or did you buy a new version of Word? Get the most out of your software by learning the new features of Word 2010, including improved text formatting effects, picture editing tools, and how to customize the ribbon. It’s easier than ever to create all kinds of documents—letters, fliers, newsletters, reports and more. Learn how to set up, edit and save documents, write and format letters, make lists, insert and edit photos and make tables.
Prerequisite: Knowledge of basic PC skills.
Text: Handouts
Instructor: Kathy Winkenwerder
Dates: Wednesdays, Jan 25 – March 14
Time: 8:30 – 10:30 am
Introduction to Windows 7 (PC)
Explore the features of Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system. You’ll learn how to transfer settings and files from your old computer, how to rapidly find information on your computer, and get acquainted with the file system and how to best navigate and organize your files. You’ll get to know the desktop with its sidebar and gadgets and how to control your computer’s settings to please yourself.
Prerequisite: Basic understanding of the Windows XP operating system or instructor’s permission.
Text: Windows 7 for Seniors in Easy Steps ISBN: 9781840783865
Instructor: Wesley Peck
Dates: Wednesdays, Jan 25 – March 14
Time: 10:45 am – 12:45 pm
It’s Your Mac. Do What You Want to Do (Mac)
Are you a beginning Mac user? Join us for a real hands-on class where you will explore many of the applications that came with your Mac. Learn how to manage the dock, finder windows, menus and shortcuts. We will use the Apple email program, set up the Address Book, use Safari to browse the Internet, write and save documents, and more. Discover how to personalize your computer, change your desktop, screen saver and views to reflect your interests and needs. There will be plenty of opportunities to get your questions answered.
Prerequisites: You own a Mac; you’d like to own a Mac.
Text: Little Mac Book (Snow Leopard Edition), Robin Williams
ISBN: 9780321646910
Instructor: Bonnie Elsten
Dates: Wednesdays, Jan 25 – March 14
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Click Start Your Genealogy (Mac)
Do you want to know more about your family history? Have you already gathered information, but need to organize it? Learn what can be done using Internet resources. We will look at popular genealogy programs for the Mac to help you organize and document your research. We’ll also explore ways to locate others researching your family lines, and find Web sites to further your research. If possible, bring a list of family last names and localities to your first class.
Prerequisites: The ability to use a Mac for Internet access.
Text: Title available the first day of class.
Instructor: Bonnie Elsten
Dates: Wednesdays, Jan 25 – March 14
Time: 3:15 – 5:15 pm
Introduction to Digital Camera (PC/Mac)
An introduction to the basic functions of the digital camera and scanner. Hands-on learning on how to download your photos from the memory card (camera) to your computer. You will also learn how to scan photos and documents into your computer. Eventually, you will organize and burn saved images to a CD. You will also improve your photography by learning some simple creative composition tools while viewing sample images.
Prerequisites: Basic understanding of your operating system or instructor’s permission.
Text: Title available the first day of class.
Instructor: Larry Hicks
Dates: Thursdays, Jan 26 – March 15
Time: 8:30 – 10:30 am
Manage and Enhance Your Photos with Picasa (PC/Mac)
Get your pictures from your camera to your computer and edit them with Picasa. Learn how to download your pictures to Picasa, and then using Picasa’s tools, enhance your photos by cropping them, adding text or removing red eye in your photos. Once you have edited your photos, you can make a slide show or video from selected pictures, or you can organize a set of photos into a collage. Mail your pictures, print them, or have them printed commercially. The first session covers the basics of Picasa. Please bring your camera to class in the second session.
Prerequisites: Intermediate computer or instructor’s permission.
Text: Handouts
Instructor: Reggie Gates
Dates: Thursdays, Jan 26 – March 15
Time: 10:45 am – 12:45 pm
Google: Email & Lots More (PC/Mac)
Learn to download and configure the program just the way you like it, and exchange mail with fellow students as you learn the features of Gmail. Other options for Web-based email will be offered if the class wishes. Other powerful and interesting Google programs will be explored, as well as other interesting and worthwhile Internet programs and Web sites. Internet security will be stressed throughout the course.
Prerequisites: Intermediate computer or instructor’s permission.
Text: Handouts.
Instructor: Reggie Gates
Dates: Thursdays, Jan 26 – March 15
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Friday Open Computer Lab - Free
The computer lab is open Fridays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM for computer class students to work on class assignments. Instructors are available to answer student questions.
Meet Barbara Cooper, who teaches the Photoshop Elements for the Mac and Out of the Box classes and coaches in most of the other Mac classes.
How long have you been an OLLI member?
I joined about five years ago when I volunteered to coach for Bonnie Elsten, who I knew through a local Mac user group.
What did you do before you came to OLLI?
When my kids went to high school, I headed back to school too. I’d been interested in photography since I was 10, so I took every photography class Long Beach Community College offered. Then through my sister, who worked for Christian Dior cosmetics, I was hired to be the company’s videographer for department stores in Southern California. Later I started taking still photos of people after they had had makeup applied. At the same time I started a wedding photography business. In all, I worked as a photographer for about 20 years.
When did you start using a computer?
In the early 1980s when digital photography was introduced, I started taking all the computer classes I could find at local schools. And about that time I won a copy of Photoshop so I started going to Photoshop workshops. My first computer was a Mac, which I got after seeing someone in my LBCC class who was severely handicapped successfully use one.
I’m not afraid to dig into a computer and take it apart. That’s probably because of my experience working for my dad. He had one of Long Beach’s first TV stores, where I worked when I was in junior high and high school. I tested a lot of vacuum tubes and helped put TV antennas on a lot of roofs.
What do you like about teaching and coaching?
I love learning, and whenever I teach or coach I learn something. It’s also a thrill when someone “gets” it. I like helping people and I like helping them solve their problems.
What was your favorite classroom experience?
It’s working with the Out of the Box class students. They are so ready to get a new computer. It’s fun to take them up to the university bookstore and see what’s available, then show them how to connect everything.
What do you do with your time when you’re not at OLLI?
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and my cat. I knit and sew doll clothes for my granddaughter’s dolls. I like to get something new to figure out how it works. I also do house calls for people in the user group or at OLLI, helping people get their computers connected and getting them online.
If you have experience with a Computer program, consider coaching in the computer lab.
Sign-up in the lab or talk to the
course instructor.
Telephone (562) 985-8237 for further information, if you or a friend would like to coach a course
You’ll find the OLLI computer classroom, with its small classes and up-to-date software an ideal place to learn. Along with the instructors, there are coaches in each class who are there to help you, too.
That means that any time you have questions, there will be someone to answer them for you. And if you want to spend extra time working on class assignments, you can come to the computer lab. It’s open all day Friday.
Classes are held in CSULB campus HSD room #100.
* Classes will be filled on first-come, first-served basis.
* Read the class description to get the class that best fits your skills.
* Each computer class has a limit of 10 students.
Please Note: Textbooks are not supplied in computer lab classes. In many cases you’ll see the book the instructor will use listed just after the class description so you can buy a copy if you wish.
Some computer classes have a minimum enrollment. If enrollment is not met one week before the first week of class, the class may be canceled. If there is a cancellation, students will be notified.
